• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Sweetphi logo

  • Recipes
    • Recipe Index
    • Five Ingredient Fridays
    • Meal Plans
    • Reader Recreations
  • About
    • About & Contact
    • Partnerships
  • Cookbooks
  • Life
    • Love Lists
    • Catching up with the Kelnhofers
    • Travel
  • Shop
  • Work With Me
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

5 Ingredient Harissa Shrimp and Grits

Feb 5, 2016 · 16 Comments

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This 5 ingredient harissa shrimp and grits may look deceptively difficult to make, but it is in fact a super easy 30 minute meal you’re going to fall in love with for this week’s Five Ingredient Friday recipe.

Super easy 30 minute meal for Harissa Shrimp and Grits this image

As you may remember from this harissa and citrus baked salmon that I shared a while back, I discovered harissa last year. Harissa is a Moroccan cuisine: it’s a delicious pepper sauce that blends together ingredients and spices and is a super versatile sauce. Since discovering it, I’ve used it on seafood (obviously I used it on salmon, and now on shrimp) and other meats (I’ve used it as a sauce for chicken) and I’ve also used it as a spread on sandwiches.

The best Mina Harissa Spicy Red Pepper Sauce

I love the way harissa smells. You open the jar and can immediately smell roasted peppers and spices, from the smell alone you know your dish is going to be good! The brand that makes the best harissa is Mina. Mina makes a mild harissa, a spicy red harissa and a spicy green harissa, all of which are amazing. I didn’t know what to expect when I first tried the sauce, so I opted for a mild one (which is great), but after having the spicy one, I have to say I really enjoyed it.

The perfect spicy harissa sauce for shrimp and grits

It’s not the kind of spicy that burns your mouth; it’s the kind of spicy that comes from the perfect blend of ingredients that highlights the heat. As soon as I had the spicy harissa I thought about how perfect it would be on shrimp, in particular shrimp that is served over grits.

The best creamy grits recipe

Shrimp and grits go together so well, and with the little bit of heat from the harissa, it balances spicy and smooth perfectly.

Perfectly balanced spicy and smooth shrimp and grits

To make this dish you start by marinating the shrimp, and while the shrimp marinates you start the grits. Then, about halfway through the grits cooking you start cooking the shrimp and shortly thereafter you have a super delish meal all ready to go, and in 5 ingredients nonetheless!

The easiest 5 ingredient shrimp recipe

How to use shrimp in other recipes:

  • Shrimp Meatballs with Garlic Aioli Recipe
  • 5 Ingredient Shrimp and Black Bean Enchiladas
  • One Pot Thai Shrimp and Quinoa

5 Ingredient Harissa Shrimp and Grits

This 5 ingredient harissa shrimp and grits may look deceptively difficult to make, but it is in fact a super easy 30 minute meal you’re going to fall in love with for this week’s Five Ingredient Friday recipe.
No ratings yet
Print Rate
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • For the shrimp:
  • 1 lb shrimp peeled and deveined
  • 1/2 cup harissa spicy or mild (I use Mina brand)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • For the grits:
  • 4 ½ cups water divided
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup yellow cornmeal
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese shredded

Instructions

  • Put shrimp in a large bowl and cover with harissa sauce and salt and stir to combine. Set aside and let marinate for 10 minutes. When you're ready to cook the shrimp, melt the butter in a large frying pan and add in the shrimp. Cook the shrimp, stirring occasionally for 10 minutes, or until the shrimp is no longer translucent and it has turned pink.
  • To make the grits, in a large pot combine 3 ½ cups water and 1 teaspoon salt and bring to a boil.
  • In a bowl combine remaining cup of water and cornmeal and stir to combine-it will get thick.
  • When the water comes to a boil, whisk in the cornmeal and water mixture. Bring the mixture to a boil again and then reduce heat to low. The mixture will thicken slowly. 5 minutes after turning the heat to low, whisk in the butter and shredded parmesan cheese. This is the point when I start the shrimp. The grits should remain on low, being whisked occasionally for the next 8 minutes, then the heat can be turned off and they can rest until they are ready to be served.
  • To serve spoon grits into 4 bowls and top with shrimp.

 This deliciousness has been sponsored by Mina Harissa. As always, all opinions are mine alone. Thank you for supporting the brands and products that make the SweetPhi blog possible. 

Related Posts

  • 5 Ingredient shrimp and black bean enchiladas from @Sweetphi
    5 Ingredient Shrimp and Black Bean Enchiladas

    These 5 ingredient shrimp and black bean enchiladas are such an easy and delicious dinner to…

  • 5 ingredient fish stick wraps recipe, quick and easy 15 minute dinner recipe
    5 Ingredient Fish Stick Wraps Recipe

    You've been at work all day and have had no time to think about what…

  • 5 ingredient baked halibut from @sweetphi
    5 Ingredient Baked Halibut

    This 5 ingredient baked halibut is so flavorful and amazing, after having a bite, it…

Blog Posts, Easy Dinner Ideas, Five Ingredient Fridays, Gluten-Free, Healthy, Main Meals, Recipes, Seafood & Fish 30 minute dinner ideas, 30 minute meals, 5 ingredient dinner, 5 ingredient friday, 5 ingredient recipe, 5 ingredient shrimp recipe, dinner idea, Gluten-Free, grits, harissa, harissa recipes, Harissa shrimp and grits, Seafood & Fish, seafood recipes, Shrimp

Did you make this recipe? Hashtag with us! Be sure to follow/tag @sweetphiblog and hashtag #sweetphiblog – we love to see what you’re cooking up!”

Get the Weekly Newsletter right in your inbox

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Susan says

    May 11, 2016 at 2:25 pm

    This harissa shrimp and grits recipe looks delish! Just got me a jar of harissa and can’t wait to use it it. Harissa sounds like it will be my new favorite hot sauce!

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      May 16, 2016 at 5:38 pm

      I think you’re going to fall in love with harissa – I love it on shrimp, it adds the perfect amount of heat!

      Reply
  2. Little Cooking Tips says

    March 8, 2016 at 4:29 am

    Hi Phi, we finally managed to find a little time to read your beautiful posts again:) We were watching your tweets and we hope you had an amazing time in France and Ireland (we will read more in the other posts)!
    This is definitely an amazing recipe, but grits does not exist here, can we use coarse cornmeal to make something similar? Does that sound like something that would work? Forgive us for asking this, but as you know, some US ingredients aren’t imported here. We did find Harissa recently though and are very excited to use it with your recipe:)
    Sending you all our love,
    Panos and Mirella
    xoxoxo

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      March 8, 2016 at 12:33 pm

      Thank you so much for all your twitter engagement, and for coming back and commenting – your lovely comments always make my day!
      To answer your question, yes, absolutely cornmeal would work (that’s what I use most of the time when I don’t have grits on hand!)

      Reply
      • Little Cooking Tips says

        March 9, 2016 at 3:19 am

        Thank you Phi! It’s so great to know that we can also make “grits” here as well:):)
        Sending you lots of hugs!

        Reply
  3. Sarah says

    February 9, 2016 at 5:21 pm

    Love love love this Phi 🙂 I have to confess, I’m a bit of a harissa snob and I go to my favorite Moroccan restaurant and they sell me a big tub of it anytime I need more. It’s such a great flavor and I’m sure pairs perfectly with the shrimps. Great idea!

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      February 14, 2016 at 11:02 am

      Thank you so much girl, harissa is my new obsession, that’s awesome that you have the hookup for some, I do have to say even though I’ve had it at restaurants, I love the Mina brand because it’s premade and so convenient!!

      Reply
  4. Sues says

    February 5, 2016 at 3:03 pm

    I love harissa!! And who doesn’t love shrimp and grits? This is heaven.

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      February 14, 2016 at 10:55 am

      Thank you so much Sues, shrimp and grits are insanely good, and then add harissa on top of it…omg yes, heaven!

      Reply
  5. Shawnna says

    February 5, 2016 at 10:58 am

    hey girl I love shrimp!! But nothing to spicy for me!

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      February 14, 2016 at 10:53 am

      I love that there is harissa that is both spicy and not spicy at all – I love both 🙂 Thanks for commenting!

      Reply
  6. Sune Moolman says

    February 5, 2016 at 7:45 am

    Oh my goodness! Harissa is EVERYTHING! Definitely doing this one this weekend! Thanks. 😀

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      February 14, 2016 at 10:52 am

      Hope you loved this dish as much as I did – Harissa is soooo good!

      Reply
  7. Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says

    February 5, 2016 at 7:41 am

    I am literally obsessed with Harissa. I made the best harissa hummus the other day. I need to try making grits myself, as I have only ever eaten them once before.

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      February 14, 2016 at 10:50 am

      Isn’t harissa the best? I mix it into everything now 🙂

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 30-Minute Meals that Make Back-to-School a Breeze – The Best Food Recipe says:
    October 11, 2020 at 8:28 pm

    […] has a scrumptious North African twist. Spicy harissa-coated shrimp are paired with creamy grits in this quick and easy recipe. Coming collectively in lower than half-hour, it is a nice weekday […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Top 5

Related Posts

  • 1 The Whole Bowl - Tali Sauce Recipe {naturally Gluten Free}
  • 2 Baked Chicken, Potatoes, Carrots and Herbs
  • 3 The Best Pumpkin Loaf Ever (Gluten Free and better than Starbucks)
  • 4 5 Ingredient Slow Cooker Cheesy Potatoes Recipe
  • 5 Healthy Slow Cooker Lentil and Vegetable Soup

Philia Kelnhofer, Danish, Chicken tacos, Kelnhofer familySweetphi.com is a destination for easy recipes, showcasing beautiful content and inspiration, everyday family life, motherhood, and fun finds from around the web. 

Learn More

Footer

Save this for the best CANDIED NUTS recipe!! - 1 Save this for the best CANDIED NUTS recipe!!
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 cups mixed nuts or any single nut you prefer, like almonds, walnuts or pecans
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or wax paper. Have 2 forks handy to separate nuts.
- In a heavy-bottomed saucepan or skillet mix the sugar and cinnamon together. Then add the water and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. 
- Add the nuts and continue stirring over medium heat until they become shiny looking. They will look dry, when they look ½ shiny ½ dry, that’s when they’re done.
- Quickly pour onto the prepared baking sheet and separate with 2 forks. Allow to cool, then enjoy!
Find the full recipe with notes at https://sweetphi.com/candied-nuts-recipe/
#candiednuts #easyrecipe #holidayrecipe #candiednutsrecipe #pecans #kidsinthekitchen  #foodblogger #milwaukeefoodblogger
Recipe for the most delicious pork- slow cooker It Recipe for the most delicious pork- slow cooker Italian pork!
 Ingredients:
- 2 cups Mirepoix or 1 small yellow onion, 2 stalks celery, 3 carrots, all finely chopped
- 1 can (28oz) crushed tomatoes fire roasted or regular
- 2/3 cup chicken stock or you could use beef stock
- 2 bay leaves
- 2-3 lbs pork tenderloin or you could use boneless pork butt or shoulder, fat trimmed off
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
 Put ingredients in a slow cooker low 8hrs, high 4. Shred and enjoy 
Full recipe and notes online at https://sweetphi.com/slow-cooker-italian-pork/
#slowcookerrecipe #crockpotrecipe #porkrecipe #porktenderloin #italianpork  #easydinnerrecipe #slowcookerrecipes #crockpotrecipes  #foodblogger #milwaukeefoodblogger
Save this recipe for 5 ingredient crispy onion hon Save this recipe for 5 ingredient crispy onion honey mustard chicken sheet pan meal!
- 4 boneless, skinless, chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup honey mustard dressing/dipping sauce plus more for serving
- 3 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup crispy fried onions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) (optional - line a sheet pan with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.)
- Place chicken breasts on one side of the baking sheet and the broccoli on the other.
- Slather the honey mustard dipping sauce over the chicken breasts. 
- Drizzle the olive oil over the broccoli
- Sprinkle the crispy onions on top of the chicken and then on top of the broccoli as well. 
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until the chicken is baked through (internal temp of 165).
- Divide onto 4 plates and serve with additional honey mustard dipping sauce and enjoy
Full recipe and notes online at https://sweetphi.com/5-ingredient-crispy-onion-honey-mustard-chicken/
#sheetpanrecipe #onepanmeal #chickenrecipe #easydinnerrecipe #5ingredientrecipe #5ingredientsorless  #sheetpanmeal  #foodblogger #milwaukeefoodblogger
Save this recipe for the perfect holiday dip, it e Save this recipe for the perfect holiday dip, it even has red and green colors for a festive dish!
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, not oil packed
- 8 oz. goat cheese
- 1/2 cup basil fresh, chopped
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 3 Tbs. milk, any percentage is fine
- Chop sun-dried tomatoes into small pieces.  Finely chop basil.
- Add goat cheese, garlic powder and milk in a bowl. Stir all ingredients together and enjoy!
- Tip - let this sit at room temperature for a little bit before serving so that it’s spreadable!
https://sweetphi.com/5-ingredient-goat-cheese-spread-with-sun-dried-tomato-and-basil/
#dips #appetizer #appetizerrecipe #holidayrecipes #holidayrecipe #foodblogger #milwaukeefoodblogger #goatcheeserecipes
Here are my November 5 star books: Mrs Nash’s A Here are my November 5 star books:
Mrs Nash’s Ashes by @sarahadlerwrites  I did not want this lovely book to end! The characters had such great chemistry and it was overall such a good romance.”A starry-eyed romantic, a cynical writer, and (the ashes of) an elderly woman take the road trip of a lifetime that just might upend everything they believe about true love.”
Will They Or Won’t They by @avawilderwrites Such a cute story and I loved the ending, was not expecting it to end the way it did with the little twist. “Onscreen, they’re in love. Offscreen, they can’t stand each other. From the author of How to Fake It in Hollywood comes “a sexy lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers romance that smolders then bursts into flames”
Flying Solo @lindaholmes97  @justjuliawhelan narrates - she’s my fave narrator. This was such a fun audiobook, there were parts that had me loling and it was a unique love story, I thoroughly enjoyed it. “A woman returns to her small Maine hometown, uncovering family secrets that take her on a journey of self-discovery and new love, in this warm and charming novel from the NYT bestselling author of Evvie Drake Starts Over.”
The Lost Bookshop @evie.gaughan This was such a lovely cozy read with a touch of whimsey, I really loved the story. “The Keeper of Stories meets The Lost Apothecary in this evocative and charming novel full of mystery and secrets. ‘The thing about books,’ she said ‘is that they help you to imagine a life bigger and better than you could ever dream of.’ On a quiet street in Dublin, a lost bookshop is waiting to be found…”
Find a full review (with non 5-star books too) on SweetPhi.com
#bookrecommendations #bookreviews #romancebooks #bookstagram #reading #romancereader #5starreviews #bookstagrammer #thelostbookshop #flyingsolo #willtheyorwontthey #mrsnashsashes
We all know how busy and chaotic Christmas morning We all know how busy and chaotic Christmas morning is, so plan ahead for what you’ll be eating to make the morning even more relaxing! 🎄
We’ve put together 16 delicious Christmas morning recipes that are perfect to help everyone have a cozy morning after Santa’s visit 🎅🏼
Grab these recipes on the blog!
https://sweetphi.com/recipes-delicious-christmas-morning/
#christmas #christmasmorning #breakfast #breakfastideas #breakfastclub #holidays #familybreakfast #kids #brunchrecipes #brunch #recipes #food #foodie #easyrecipes
There’s something about using real cranberries i There’s something about using real cranberries in recipes that just screams winter baking! ❄️
These big chocolate chip cranberry cookies are made with real cranberries and are one of my favorite cookies for the holiday season!
Grab the recipe on sweetphi.com ❤️
https://sweetphi.com/big-chocolate-chip-cranberry-cookies-made-real-cranberries/
#christmas #christmascookies #cookies #recipe #christmasbaking #baking #cranberries
This recipe for 5 ingredient peanut brittle withou This recipe for 5 ingredient peanut brittle without a candy thermometer is super easy to make and perfect to give as a holiday gift! 🎁
It’s the perfect sweet/salty combination!
Have you ever tried making your own peanut brittle?!
Get this recipe on sweetphi.com❤
https://sweetphi.com/5-ingredient-peanut-brittle-without-a-candy-thermometer/
#recipe #5ingredients #candyrecipe #brittle #peanutbrittle #holidayfood #christmas #christmasrecipe #holidaybaking #dessert #giftideas #giftguide #foodgifts #food #foodie #easyrecipe #easydessert
  • Recipes
  • Baby
  • Cookbook
  • Five Ingredient Fridays
  • Travel
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · SWEET PHI