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Shrimp and Grits Sushi

We are rolling into party season full speed ahead! What’s on your festive hors d’oeuvres menu? For this post I partnered with The Shrimp Council to bring you an appetizer that your guests will be talking about the day after:

Shrimp and Grits Sushi with an Old Bay Dipping Sauce

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For this post, Matt and I knew we wanted to do something with shrimp and grits. After brainstorming a few ideas: chilled stacks of grits with shrimp on top, a “meatloaf” style dish, and individual shrimp and grits cups, the sushi idea came about. We rolled with it

Winking smile this !

On the healthy recipe spectrum, this one ranks pretty well. Low-fat shrimp, wholesome grits, nutritious bell pepper and nori, and a dipping sauce made mostly with yogurt means this sushi is good for your tastebuds and your waistline.

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To make this recipe, you will need a sushi mat. You can find simple inexpensive bamboo ones in stores like World Market. We have a plastic one that comes with a guide and stand, and it works quite well. (Remember this sushi and champagne fiesta!?)

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Start by cooking your grits. I used my rice cooker, and some local Wade’s Mill grits that are coarse and hearty. I wouldn’t try this with instant grits – you need them to be thick.

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Put down your sheet of nori (found at most grocery stores in the Asian section) and spread your grits out nice and thick.

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Add your sliced bell peppers about 1/3 of the way in

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Followed by a row of cooked shrimp. Stretch them out a bit so they take up less space lengthwise.

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Then roll ‘er up! There are lots of You Tube videos on this if you need some some more visuals. It’s really not that hard to do!

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Next give the roll a slice with a sharp knife

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And cut into 8 segments.

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This recipe makes 2 rolls of 8, so double it for a crowd.

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The dipping sauce is key, as it gives another punch of Old Bay and is a wonderfully creamy balance to the shrimp.

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Dunk!

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Print Pin

Shrimp and Grits Sushi

This is a Southern twist on sushi - shrimp and grits style!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 2 Sushi Rolls
Author Kath Younger

Ingredients

  • 1 cup coarse ground grits
  • 1 dozen medium shrimp
  • 1 tbsp cooking oil
  • Dash of Old Bay
  • 1/4 each red and green bell pepper
  • 2 sheets nori
  • For the sauce
  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt Greek or regular
  • 2 tbsp mayo
  • 2 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 tsp ketchup
  • 1.5 tsp Old Bay
  • 1/4 tsp sriracha

Instructions

  • Cook grits in your preferred method. I like to use a rice cooker on porridge setting, but you can also make them easily on the stove top. Follow the directions of the brand of grits you buy. Allow to cool slightly so they are easier to work with and a bit sticky.
  • Toss shrimp in a few pinches of Old Bay.
  • Heat skillet to medium high and add cooking oil. Saute shrimp until they form a nice crust.
  • Slice bell peppers into thin strips.
  • To assemble sushi
  • Place a sheet of nori on your sushi mat.
  • Spread grits out about 1/4 in. thick to all corners.
  • Place peppers and shrimp about 1/3 of the way down.
  • Roll sushi.
  • Slice into 8 pieces.
  • For the dipping sauce
  • Combine all ingredients and mix well.

Shrimp and Grits Sushi

To get you even more pumped for party season, I have an awesome giveaway from The Shrimp Council! In the spirit of gift-giving, you’ll have the chance to win a Rachael Ray 10 Piece Porcelain Cook Set. This set has all of the basic cookware shapes and sizes that will help bring shrimptastic inspiration to the holiday season, along with a super-stylish excuse to eat, drink and be merry. I love the teal!

image

a Rafflecopter giveaway

For lots more holiday shrimp inspiration, check out Eat Shrimp on Facebook and Pinterest!

Thanks to The Shrimp Council for sponsoring this post!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Megan says

    This sounds so awesome! Someone could just spoon feed me that Old Bay dipping sauce, and I’d be a happy girl! 😉 I don’t know that I can think of any mind-blowing shrimp appetizers I’ve had, but this one might just do it!

    Reply

  5. Lauren F says

    I love a simple shrimp cocktail for appetizer. But coconut shrimp with an orange marmalade dipping sauce is also a favorite.

    Reply

  10. Lexi says

    My favorite shrimp appetizer is shrimp cocktail, but if I’d ever tried something like shrimp and grits sushi that would be bound to take first prize.

    Reply

  11. Megan says

    Yum, looks good! I love shrimp and grits. My family always makes an appetizer of baby shrimp mixed with cocktail sauce poured over cream cheese and served on triscuit crackers. It is one of those foods that brings back childhood memories!

    Reply

  12. Angela B says

    My absolute favorite shrimp app is shrimp ceviche! This summer we vacationed on the Outer Banks of North Carolina and made incredible fresh shrimp ceviche with loads of avocado and lime!

    Reply

  14. Kaila @healthyhelperblog! says

    OH WOW! This looks INCREDIBLE!! I love making homemade sushi, but this is such a creative take on it! Can’t wait to try.

    Reply

  16. Alyssa says

    I love taking a skewer and adding shrimp, a piece of pineapple, wrapping it in bacon, giving a smear of BBQ sauce and grilling it up!

    Reply

  35. Terri S says

    I’ll have to make this soon! If I win, these will be going to my son who recently got his own place and could really use them.

    Reply

  37. Jen says

    I’m allergic to shellfish, but I love salmon sushi! Those pots/pans look great. I’m moving soon and they would be perfect for my new kitchen 😉

    Reply

  41. Jessica says

    You can’t go wrong with shrimp cocktail! But when I’m feeling a little naughty, coconut shrimp is always a winner 🙂

    Reply

  46. Linda @ The Fitty says

    Can we hang out? You go to the coolest places and. make the coolest things. that sauce? I could eat it by the spoonful. that sushi? I WANT. TO INHALE IT.

    Reply

  48. Carolyn says

    That looks delicious! I doubt I’m gonna go out and buy a sushi roller and all that, but if I ever happen upon shrimp and grits sushi I’ll try it. I love the traditional kind, especially South Carolina style.

    Reply

  52. Katherine says

    I love a simple shrimp cocktail – but this is perfect for a little fancier different app. Perfect timing for the huge bag of shrimp stashed in the freezer!

    Reply

  58. Carrie says

    This recipe looks awesome…I’m pretty sure my husband would want to drink the dipping sauce! 🙂 And, I’m in the market for some new cookware, and this set would be great!

    Reply

  59. Kristina N. says

    This is so creative! I’m all about the tequila lime marinated shrimp. Especially in the grilling months. But since it’s getting cooler maybe an olive oil poached shrimp with a winter pistou or a curried shrimp and butternut squash soup.

    Reply

  67. Jessica says

    Pretty typical but I LOVE shrimp cocktail. I love to make my own cocktail sauce with big chunks of avocado and tomato in it. So good.

    Reply

  76. Amanda @ Life to Table says

    Ooo you make sushi rolling look so easy! I always fail miserably haha. Confession: As a former New Yorker, I never had grits before!

    Reply

  88. Lindsey @ Simply Lindsey says

    This recipe sounds incredible!! And the dipping sauce?! Yum! My favorite shrimp appetizer would probably be some form of sushi with shrimp.

    Reply

  98. Alana says

    My stepdad makes a mean steamed jumbo shrimp appetizer. He seasons them with Old Bay and them steams the shrimp with beer. Dunk in a spicy cocktail sauce and its AMAZING!

    Reply

  104. Kristina says

    Wow that looks so delish! I’d love the chance to win that set. LOVE the teal color. All my pots and pans are random pieces from grandparents etc so it would be nice to have a full matching set.

    Reply

  110. Lindsay says

    this looks delicious! i was racking my brain to think of multiple shrimp appetizers, but could only come up with wontons, spring rolls, and shrimp cocktail: all good!

    Reply

  114. Amy says

    Mini shrimp tacos – shrimp cooked with lime juice and red pepper flakes, served on little tortillas with avocado, onion, and tomato. Really good!

    Reply

  130. Lisa says

    coconut shrimp does it for me. Or, a nice easy brazilian dish with tomatoes, a touch of cream and shrimp is tasty treat and quick meal with rice.

    Reply

  131. Lauren says

    My favourite shrimp app has got to be rice paper rolls loaded with cucumbers, cilantro and peanut dipping sauce. So good!

    Reply

  132. Alex @ get big, go to work says

    These looks delicious! Definitely have me craving sushi!! Was this a time intensive recipe? I always think sushi would be pretty time consuming to make.

    Reply

    • KathEats says

      It was actually really quick! The rice cooker helped with the grit-making, and we just had to cook the shrimp and roll them up.

      Reply

  133. Liz says

    One of my favorite shrimp appetizer is a dip with cream cheese layered on the bottom, cocktail sauce layered on top of that and little shrimp placed on top. Dip with crackers. Simple yet delicious. I will be trying this sushi though for a dinner partying I have coming up!

    Reply

  134. Kathryn says

    I seriously think this is the coolest idea ever. Shrimp and grits is my mom’s all time favorite meal so I have to make this for her! Thanks!

    Reply

  137. Mary Beth says

    That is super cute! I’m a Southerner living in California, so I often try to do Southern “fusion” food for my parties. This is so going on the menu for my next party.

    Reply

  138. Anne Weber-Falk says

    I really like cold boiled shrimp with cocktail sauce. Simple and good. It’s all mine at home too because nobody else in my house likes shrimp. I know! They don’t know what they’re missing. I like to serve this at my extended family get togethers.

    Reply

  147. Chelsea says

    I love regular ol’ shrimp cocktail, but this sushi looks so interesting! I love shrimp & grits and I love sushi, so there’s no way I can go wrong with this.

    Reply

  148. colleen says

    I’m from the low country of South Carolina and love shrimp prepared just about any way; although lately, Ceviche style has been a favorite!

    Reply

  150. Dana | fresh simple five says

    What a fun idea!! I love shrimp for quick easy dinners. One of my favorites is making shrimp tostadas – baking up some tortillas and loading up with veggies, avocado and shrimp!

    Reply

  154. Karen B. says

    My favorite shrimp appetizer is good old Shrimp Cocktail. My brother in law makes it with a wasabi cocktail sauce that is out of this world!

    Reply

  158. Erin says

    I really enjoy coconut shrimp, but I know it’s not great for the waistline–especially with that delicious pineapple and coconut sauce. When at home, a simple shrimp cocktail will do.

    Reply

  166. Joci S. says

    That looks amazing!! I always love trying new appetizer recipes..it gets me into the holiday spirit to think of all the awesome parties!

    Reply

  171. Stacy S says

    Shrimp cocktail is my favorite appetizer as well as my favorite way to eat shrimp. I often order it as my entree when we eat out.

    Reply

  173. Katie says

    Love shrimp, just sad that I have a very low sensitivity to it, at least I haven’t had to eliminate it completely. For shrimp appetizers, seafood bruschetta, bacon wrapped crab stuffed shrimp, or our all-time favorite Dill Havarti-Shrimp Appetizers (cocktail bread toasted with honey mustard, melted havarti, shrimp, red pepper and dill. Making shrimp for dinner and wish I could make this, but will settle for cauliflower fried rice with shrimp and pineapple.

    Reply

  175. jen says

    I’ve never had grits. I know, right? They’re on my to-try list, but I’m a bit nervous about trying them for the first time at home. Polenta too. I’ve gotta get over the nerves and just try them both.

    Reply

  177. lea @ healthy coconut says

    my go to shrimp dish is shrimp fried rice, the reason why I always have frozen peas/carrots mix so I can make this dish any time

    Reply

  193. Amelia says

    What a cool idea…I love making sushi at home and will definitely have to try this spin! I think this recipe could also be perfect for introducing sushi to those who are little apprehensive about giving it a try. My favorite shrimp appetizers are shrimp cocktail or any kind of grilled shrimp on a skewer.

    Reply

  218. Brittany says

    Hm I’m not sure if I have a favorite shrimp appetizer, your recipe looks great though! Bang bang shrimp is my favorite shrimp meal, I love how sweet eats recipe.

    Reply

  220. Stacie says

    My favorite shrimp appetizer? It just became this one!! Holy yum 🙂

    Thanks to you and The Shrimp Council for the incredible giveaway!

    Reply

  224. The Frugal Foodie says

    I had a pretty tasty shrimp ratatouille-esque dish for brunch recently and it hit the spot. That’s extra good news because I didn’t used to like shrimp (it’s a texture thing)!

    Reply

  225. Sagan says

    Oh my goodness that looks so delicious! Love making homemade sushi – we often make ours vegan (just because it’s easier, ha) with shiitake mushrooms and avocado, and a sauce out of veganaise and so much tasty chili flakes. Gotta give your recipe a try!

    Reply

  237. Ellen says

    This looks great – brings back all of my Maryland memories with a cool new twist. My favorite shrimp appetizer is coconut shrimp fritters. Combine finely chopped shrimp, bell peppers, coconut and binder, pan fry or bake, then serve with a spicy jalapeno jelly. Easy!

    Reply

  249. Madelyne says

    Blue-cheese stuffed shrimp 🙂 Slice them along the back and stuff with beaten cream cheese, shallots, parsley and mustard powder (and blue cheese of course!). Then devour! Omnomnom.

    Reply

  253. Molly says

    I love grits! Not very many places in Wisconsin make grits, but the places that do make grits do a great job (I think)! 🙂

    Reply

  255. Lindsey J says

    To echo what everyone’s already said – that’s a really unique idea! I’m interested to know how you seasoned the shrimp? I’m sure there are loads of seasoning combos that would pair well with the Old Bay dipping sauce.

    Thanks!

    Reply

  269. Wendi says

    Such a creative idea! I’m not the biggest shrimp fan but I am sure this would be equally as tasty with chicken or turkey 🙂

    Reply

  274. Jeanie says

    While it wasn’t an appetizer, I had a great shrimp and grits dish in San Francisco a couple years ago. That’s something you don’t find a lot of here in California. I also like (a lot!) honey walnut shrimp from Chinese restaurants. Your sushi looks great!

    Reply

  275. Amanda Hedgpeth says

    This recipe looks delicious! We will be trying it this week, I love shrimp! Also thinking of some other yummy dipping sauces.

    Reply

  276. Savannah King says

    Hoping to try this soon. A huge sushi fan, I’m sure this recipe would make for such a fun twist on an old favorite!

    Reply

  280. Kelsey says

    I don’t know if I have a favorite shrimp appetizer — I haven’t seen too many! I do love shrimp scampi as a dinner though!

    Reply

  287. Leah says

    You can’t really go wrong with shrimp, I’d say my favorite shrimp appetizer is probably panko crusted shrimp or coconut shrimp! I’m also super into using shrimp instead of chicken or steak for fajitas!

    Reply

  293. sassygirl says

    love the sushi making.
    recently made grits for a
    different breakfast grain
    alternative to overnite oats.
    :). this looks amazing!

    Reply

  298. Sarah says

    I’ve been seeing Rachel Ray stuff discounted everywhere lately! It was on sale at the Christmas Tree Shops, I got a message from Zulily about a deal, and now this giveaway! Is she going out of business or something?

    Reply

  301. Jess. says

    Such an interesting take on sushi. I would love to try this sometime.

    My favorite way to eat shrimp is breaded & coconutty 🙂

    Reply

  309. Nicole Eliza says

    Ceviche! My friend turned me on to it when I was about 22 (late bloomer on trying new to me foods) but I was hooked! The more the cilantro, the better 🙂

    Reply

  317. Cherilyn P says

    I love shrimp cocktail, with the shrimp broiled.
    Ashamed to say I’ve never had shrimp & grits before-will have to remedy that asap!

    Reply

  322. Andrea says

    I have to pick one??? It would have to be a toss up between coconut shrimp and shrimp cocktail. I don’t discriminate when it comes to shrimp. I love them all!

    Reply

  325. Bobbie says

    Kath – I love shrimp in the right way…you always make things look good, even if it’s something I’d never do! 🙂

    Reply

  326. Jenny E says

    My favorite shrimp appetizer is baked jalapeno shrimp “poppers”! Halve and clean the peppers, oil, and roast a bit to soften on a sheet in the oven. Fill with cheddar, shrimp, a light dusting of cumin, and either wrap with bacon or top with seasoned breadcrumbs and bake to appropriate food safe temperature. Serve with salsa.

    Mmmm, Tex-Mex goodness from Austin, Texas.

    Reply

  328. Jenny E says

    My @jennyfluteplaye twitter acct was hacked, so I followed on my other account @radiantsoulyogi instead. In the contest entry, I said I followed on jennyfluteplaye. Sorry for any confusion.

    Reply

  335. Megan B. says

    I don’t know that I have a favorite shrimp appetizer . . . maybe coconut shrimp? But I love pretty much all cajun/creole shrimp dishes – shrimp & grits, barbeque shrimp, shrimp creole . . . I wonder if we could sushi those?!?!

    Reply

  337. kim says

    I would say just some good old shrimp, breaded and fried with some cocktail sauce….not the healthiest but still delish!!

    Reply

  350. Anonymous says

    This looks so delicious!! I can’t wait to try for my next dinner party 🙂
    I really like old fashioned shrimp and grits, or barbecued shrimp skewers..however, my all time favorite way to eat shrimp is simple; steamed and covered in Old Bay. Since I’m a Maryland native, I could eat almost everything smothered in Old Bay!! (seriously, it makes everything better)

    Reply

  363. Ashley says

    I LOVE shrimp!! My favorite shrimp appetizer is a layer of cream cheese, layer of small shrimp, and a layer of cocktail sauce. Dig in with some crackers!

    Reply

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