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    Home » Recipes » Fish and Seafood

    By Carol Published: Oct 2, 2017 Modified: Mar 6, 2022 | This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure.

    Cheese and Pumpkin Grits with Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp

    Jump to Recipe
    4.67 from 3 votes
    45 minutes minutes

    Cheese and Pumpkin Grits with Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp is the perfect autumn treat for an easy dinner or for entertaining guests that's both savory and spicy!

    Photo of Pumpkin Chipotle and White Cheddar Grits with Bacon Wrapped Shrimp in black bowl on gray napkin garnished with pumpkin seeds.

    TABLE OF CONTENTS: Click the Icon to Find the Info You Need FAST

    • The inspiration behind this recipe:
    • Types of grits:
    • How to make Pumpkin, Chipotle and White Cheddar Grits with Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp:
    • More shrimp and grits recipes:
    • Cheese and Pumpkin Grits with Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp
      • Equipment
      • Ingredients  1x2x3x
        • Grits
        • Shrimp and Garnish
      • Instructions 
        • Grits
        • Shrimp and Garnish
      • Notes
      • Nutrition

    The inspiration behind this recipe:

    I think I’ve said it a time or two but I love me some shrimp and grits!

    When I moved to the South, I never had grits nor shrimp and grits.  I could handle shrimp in any form, but I was more than a little apprehensive about grits.  Then, my husband and I stayed at a Southern antebellum bed and breakfast a number of years ago.   When we sat down to breakfast, on the plate served to me were grits.

    Yes, they made me a little nervous but they were creamy, cheesy and divine!

    I then had shrimp and grits at an area restaurant not long after and from that point on I was hooked!

    Now that its pumpkin season, pumpkin grits just seemed like the thing to do!  This Pumpkin, Chipotle and White Cheddar Grits with Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp is both a delicious savory and spicy main dish perfect for entertaining!  Pumpkin, spicy and smoky chipotle peppers, cheese, shrimp and BACON!

    Photo of two whole pumpkins.

    Types of grits:

    What I didn’t know about grits upon becoming hooked was there were so many different kinds!  There are:

    • Stone-ground (sometimes referred to as old-fashioned) and will have the best texture
    • Quick (good in a pinch)
    • Instant (for when you need a grits fix but don't have any time)

    Stone-ground is what I used here.  You can generally find them in the breakfast cereal aisle.

    Photo of grits in glass jar on white marble surface.

    How to make Pumpkin, Chipotle and White Cheddar Grits with Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp:

    • When cooking the grits, get the water or broth boiling.
    • Use 1 cup of plain, solid-packed pumpkin as part of the liquid.
    • Add the chipotle peppers along with some salt and pepper.
    • Then, add the grits gradually.  If you add them all at once, they have a tendency to lump up.
    • Stir in some butter and cheese.

    Photo of pumpkin grits in stainless steel saucepan being stirred with white spoon.

    • Garnish with pumpkin seeds.

    Photo of cooked pumpkin grits in clay bowl.

    • While the grits are simmering away, wrap some colossal shrimp with half-slices of bacon and secure with toothpicks.
    • If you're nervous about overcooking the shrimp, you can par-cook the bacon a little bit.  Simply get some of the fat rendered off but don't let it get it crispy.  Then, finish as directed.
    • Be sure to always use wild-caught American shrimp for the best texture!

    Photo of bacon-wrapped shrimp before cooking.

    • Then brown well on all sides in a nonstick skillet.

    Close-up photo of cooked bacon-wrapped shrimp.

    Serve the bacon-wrapped shrimp over the spicy pumpkin and cheese grits, garnish with toasted pumpkin seeds and… Friends!

    Pumpkin, Chipotle and White Cheddar Grits with Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp is a crazy delicious autumn dinner that’s perfect for a great meal at home or for entertaining guests!

    This dish uses only one cup of a whole can of pumpkin.  Don’t discard the remainder!  Save it to add pumpkin goodness and flavor to soups and stews this fall and winter!

    Enjoy!

    More shrimp and grits recipes:

    • Cauliflower Grits with Gouda Cheese and Blackened Shrimp
    • Spicy Shrimp and Grits Casserole with Gouda Cheese
    • Smothered Shrimp and Andouille Sausage with Creamy Parmesan Peppercorn Grits
    Pumpkin Chipotle and White Cheddar Grits with Bacon Wrapped Shrimp

    Cheese and Pumpkin Grits with Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp

    4.67 from 3 votes
    By: Carol | From A Chef's Kitchen
    Cheese and Pumpkin Grits with Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp is the perfect autumn treat for an easy dinner or for entertaining guests!
    PRINT RECIPE PIN RECIPE SAVE RECIPE Saved!
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 30 minutes mins
    Total Time 45 minutes mins
    Course Fish and Seafood
    Cuisine Southwestern / Mexican
    Servings 4
    Calories 404 kcal

    Equipment

    • Wusthof Chef Knife
    • Cutting Board
    • Saucepan
    • Nonstick Skillet

    Ingredients
      

    Grits

    • 3 cups chicken broth - or water
    • 1 cup pumpkin puree - (not pumpkin pie mix)
    • 2 to 3 canned chipotle chiles in adobo sauce - finely chopped
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • Freshly ground black pepper - to taste
    • 1 cup stone-ground grits
    • 2 tablespoons butter
    • 1 ½ cups shredded white cheddar cheese

    Shrimp and Garnish

    • ¼ cup raw pumpkin seeds
    • 2 bags (1-pound each) colossal shrimp - (10-12 count per bag), peeled and deveined, tails left intact
    • 12 slices bacon - halved

    Instructions
     

    Grits

    • Bring water or chicken broth, pumpkin, chiles, salt and black pepper to a boil.
    • Slowly add the grits in a constant stream, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring often, 15-20 minutes, or until thickened. Stir in butter and cheese, cover and let stand while browning the shrimp.

    Shrimp and Garnish

    • Toast the pumpkin seeds in a nonstick skillet for 3-5 minutes or until lightly browned in places, beginning to pop and you notice a toasted aroma. Transfer to a plate.
    • Wrap each shrimp in half a slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick. Place the shrimp in the nonstick skillet you used for the seeds and cook, turning frequently until the bacon is nicely browned on all sides and the shrimp is cooked through.
    • Serve the shrimp over the grits. Garnish with toasted pumpkin seeds.

    Notes

    If you're nervous about overcooking the shrimp, you can parcook the bacon a little bit and then wrap the shrimp and finish cooking it.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 | Calories: 404kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 1601mg | Potassium: 406mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 10432IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 344mg | Iron: 2mg

    These are estimated values generated from a nutritional database using unbranded products. Please do your own research with the products you're using if you have a serious health issue or are following a specific diet.

    Did you make this recipe? Please leave a comment, star rating or post your photo on Instagram and tag @fromachefskitchen.

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    Categories: Fish and Seafood

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Cheryl says

      October 16, 2017 at 7:32 pm

      I love shrimp and grits and you had me at bacon, but with pumpkin and a little heat too? I'm in heaven.

      Reply
    2. Kathryn @ FoodieGirlChicago says

      October 15, 2017 at 10:04 pm

      Well, you had me with the bacon wrapped shrimp but love the idea of adding pumpkin to the grits to make a perfect fall recipe!! I bet it's amazing!

      Reply
    3. Jessica Pinney says

      October 15, 2017 at 9:43 pm

      As a girl born in the South, I am a *huge* grits fan. I've never had a Fall version or one with pumpkin, and this one sounds amazing! I'll definitely be trying out the recipe to see what I've been missing!

      Reply
    4. Prasanna Hede says

      October 15, 2017 at 8:54 pm

      This looks to be an exciting recipe since it has shrimp and pumpkin too. Never tried this combo but sounds so yumm.

      Reply
    5. Tina says

      October 15, 2017 at 8:48 pm

      This is so creative. I have cooked savory dishes with pumpkin but never would have thought to add to shrimp and grits. Nice pic;)

      Reply
    6. Lois. O says

      October 15, 2017 at 6:21 pm

      You had me at shrimp and grits! What a yummy way to serve it. Looks like I might need to give this a try especially since my kitchen is overflowing with pumpkin puree.

      Reply
    7. Jules says

      October 15, 2017 at 2:40 pm

      WOW! This looks absolutely amazing!! I will have to try this - thank you for sharing!!

      Reply
    8. Carrie Ditton says

      October 15, 2017 at 12:17 pm

      Finally a pumpkin recipe that is in a delicious meal as opposed to a dessert. This looks and sounds amazing and I am adding this to my meal plan for this week. Simply awesome!

      Reply
    9. Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says

      October 14, 2017 at 9:59 am

      I am salivating!! But I have to admit that I lived on polenta ( a poor man's dish) long before it became popular fare. I do like grits or polenta any time of day and to think I used to complain about it when I was young. Silly me!! Do you have a hard time getting the bacon crispy without overcooking the shrimp? The dish looks wonderful!!

      Reply
      • Carol says

        October 14, 2017 at 10:27 am

        Hi, Marisa,

        I'm a big believer in using wild-caught shrimp; it's so much more "durable" than farm-raised. For this dish, be sure to use "colossal," which is generally 10-12 count per pound. If you're unsure, you can always parcook the bacon a little bit. Thanks so much about bringing that up! I put a note in the recipe about that.

        Reply
    10. Maria says

      October 14, 2017 at 9:41 am

      I can't wait to try this! 🙂

      Reply
    11. Christine says

      October 14, 2017 at 5:21 am

      Shrimp and grits is one of my all-time favorite meals but I live in the north and it's pretty hard to find. I'll definitely have to try this out. Love the addition of the chipotle pumpkin!

      Reply
    12. Renz says

      October 13, 2017 at 5:22 pm

      Wow. Really love this version of grits. I'm sure the addition of chipotle also makes it yummy. Thanks for sharing a savory pumpkin recipe amidst all these pumpkin recipes.

      Reply
    13. Kimberly @ Berly's Kitchen says

      October 12, 2017 at 6:28 pm

      Shrimp and cheese grits are the best in Southern comfort food. I've never thought of adding pumpkin and chipotle. That sounds so good! Love this idea. Now I'm hungry.

      Reply
    14. Christine says

      October 12, 2017 at 11:10 am

      There are a lot of sweet pumpkin recipes out there right now, so I appreciate that this one is savory! Looks SO delicious. Hope to try it soon!

      Reply
    15. Michele says

      October 08, 2017 at 1:18 am

      I love grits, and adding pumpkin to them just makes me super excited to make this ... I love twists on classic ingredients!

      Reply
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