These Cajun Scallops and Cheesy Grits are a zesty, mouthwatering summer comfort food dish you need to get on the menu!
This is a sponsored post on behalf of Tony Chachere’s Famous Creole Cuisine. As always, all opinions are 100% my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that help make The Beach House Kitchen possible.
Today, we’re cookin’ it up Creole comfort style at the BHK folks!
Summer at the beach is all about seafood. We throw in the crab trap or cast out our lines and it’s seafood for days!
And on those off days when the fish aren’t biting (remember…that’s why it’s called fishing, not catching), we’re minutes from the commercial fishing boats down in Cape May where we can grab the freshest stash for lunch or dinner.
Today’s Cajun Scallops and Cheesy Grits is summer comfort food done right. This dish is cozy and fresh and showcases the best of what summer has to offer.
I created this recipe with the help of my friends at Tony Chachere’s Famous Creole Cuisine. I’ve been a fan of Tony’s products for longer than I can remember, so when they asked me to create a recipe showcasing their products, I jumped at the opportunity.
One of the reasons I started the BHK was to share tried and true recipes with you guys. Recipes that have been a hit with family and friends, using ingredients I love and hope you’ll love too.
If you’re new to Tony’s, their products are a MUST try! For today’s Cajun Scallops and Cheesy Grits, I used their Creole Style Seafood Marinade and Tony’s Original Creole Seasoning.
Their Pourable Seafood Marinade is a delicious blend of lemon, pepper, garlic and Creole seasoning. It adds such flavor to this dish. And the additional Original Creole Seasoning to the cheesy grits and sauce make for one zesty, mouthwatering meal.
A Few Cook’s Notes for Cajun Scallops and Cheesy Grits Recipe:
I poured the marinade over my scallops and let them marinate for 2 hours for extra flavor.
If you’re not a fan of scallops, feel free to substitute shrimp. We’ve tried both and they’re equally as delicious.
I used fresh corn off the cob for this recipe, but you can also use frozen corn or canned corn.
This is one tasty summer comfort food dish you won’t want to pass up friends. Creamy, cheesy grits topped with a delectable, spicy sauce loaded with garden fresh veggies and succulent scallops that’s sure to WOW your family and friends! Enjoy!
Cajun Scallops and Cheesy Grits
Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
Cheesy Grits
- 2 1/2 Cups Water
- 2 1/2 Cups Whole Milk
- 1/2 Tsp. Tony Chachere's Original Creole Seasoning
- 1 Cup Yellow Corn Grits
- 3 Tbsp. Butter
- 1/2 Cup Finely Grated White Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Scallops
- 1 1/2 Lbs. Sea Scallops
- 2/3 Cup Tony Chachere's Seafood Marinade
- 6 Slices Bacon, chopped
- 1 Cup Yellow Onion, chopped
- 1 Cup Red Bell Pepper, chopped
- 1/2 Cup Fresh Corn Kernels
- 2 Cloves garlic, Minced
- 1 Tbsp. All-Purpose Flour
- 1 1/4 Cups Low Sodium Chicken Broth
- 2/3 Cup Heavy Cream
- 1 Tsp. Tony Chachere's Original Creole Seasoning
- 1 Tbsp. Butter
- 1/4 Cup Fresh Parsley, Finely Chopped
Instructions
Cheesy Grits
- Bring water, milk and Tony Chachere’s® Original Creole Seasoning to a boil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Slowly whisk in the grits until smooth. Reduce heat to low, cover and cook, whishing occasionally, for about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in butter and cheddar cheese.
Cajun Scallops
- Bring water, milk and Tony Chachere’s® Original Creole Seasoning to a boil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Slowly whisk in the grits until smooth. Reduce heat to low, cover and cook, whishing occasionally, for about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in butter and cheddar cheese.
- In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, cook bacon until just crisp. Remove from skillet with slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate. Set aside. Pour all but 2 tablespoons of bacon fat from the skillet into a small bowl.
- Remove scallops from refrigerator. Drain marinade. Return skillet to medium-high heat. When fat is hot, add scallops making sure they’re not touching. Seat for 1.5 minutes per side. Do not flip until bottom is golden brown. Transfer to plate to keep warm.
- Add onion, red pepper, corn and 2-3 tablespoons more of bacon fat to skillet and cook over medium heat until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add garlic and cook for one more minute. Sprinkle flour over vegetables and continue to cook for one minute.
- Whisk in chicken stock and cook until sauce thickens. Add heavy cream, Tony’s Original Creole Seasoning and butter and cook until slightly thickened.
- Return the scallops and bacon to the skillet. Cook until heated through, about 2 minutes.
- Place about one cup grits into 4 individual bowls. Top grits with a few scallops and some of the sauce. Sprinkle with chopped parsley. Serve immediately.
You don’t know how badly I want this right now! I could honestly eat this for breakfast! Perfectly cooked scallops and cheesy grits? There is no going wrong there, my friend! Pinned! Happy Monday! XOXO
Ha! So glad you like it Dawn! Hope you have a terrific week! Thanks for pinning!
Yaaasss, Mare! Bring on ALL the cajun! I’m such a huge fan of scallops, so this dish is making my mouth water! Loving the flavors and the scallop – grits combo is just FAB! Pinning! Cheers!
Tom went CRAZY over this dish Chey! I totally love Tony’s products! I’ve been using them for years! Hope you give this a go! Happy Monday!
LOOOOVE cajun food! And I love cheese grits. Like LOVE in all caps. This looks fabulous!
GIVE THIS A GO Kelsie! You’ll LOVE it!
A huge yes to this! Grits are not as often top of mind here in Canada, so I love this visual reminder of why they should be :) Fabulous dish!
Thanks Jennifer! We LOVED this dish! So flavorful!
Gorgeous photos! I’m with Dawn – I could eat this for breakfast… This recipe looks amazing :)
Awww! Thanks so much MB!
Definitely summer comfort food done right! I’d love this for dinner tonight! :)
Go for it Annie! You won’t be disappointed!
I love this new take on a classic! Scallops are my fave and my Cajun hubby would approve!
Woohoo! Hope you give this recipe a try Leigh Ann!
Oh how I wish I was on the coast right now! I’m loving this cajun scallops and grits! That marinade and spice mixture is new to me. I’ll have to see if I can find it here. :)
Hope you can Kathy! You’ll love both!
This is summer comfort food I need in my life! The marinade and spice bring on the spicy flavor I love! Definitely need to look for these!
You’ll love them Lindsay! My husband couldn’t get enough of this dish!
Summer comfort food at its best. This sounds amazing!
Thanks Naomi! We’re loving this one! And Tony’s!
Trade ya for some pizza chicken fingers?!
YES!!!
I use Tony’s seasonings all the time! Love them! Can’t wait to make this recipe for the family.
Uncle Tommy LOVED it!! He was shoveling it in! I’ll need to pick up a booklet on manners next time I’m out!
A gorgeous meal! I own the seasoning mixture, but never knew about the marinade. I can’t wait to see if I can find it locally!
Don’t you just LOVE that Creole seasoning Mimi?! I use it all the time! This was one tasty meal! My husband couldn’t get enough!
I usually don’t go for comfort food during the summer, but this dish is so inviting! It must be all those lovely looking scallops! The marinade and seasoning sounds delicious too!
It’s so delicious Leanne! Hope you can grab both the seasoning and the marinade!
This is totally mouthwatering, Mary Ann! I do love my Tony’s – love that they do marinades now too! Looks absolutely delicious!
So do I Tessa! I’ve been using their products for years! This is one delicious comfort food dish! Hope your week is off to a good start!
Love scallops and Cajun flavors!! This looks so hearty and delicious.
Me too Natasha!
This recipe is a total flavor bomb, Mary Ann! Tony Chachere’s makes such mouthwatering seasonings and I know this one is over the top too! Being from the South I was practically bottle fed grits (lol) so I’m a fan… that white cheddar is SO good! Well done my dear!
Thanks Traci! I’ve always loved Tony’s! I didn’t grow up on grits, but I’m making up for it now!
This is wonderful comfort food!! Those scallops!! I want to reach right through the screen for this dish!
Summer needs some comfort food too Katherine!
I love the cajun flavoring you have on those scallops and what a great grit recipe!
Thanks Kev!
I almost just fell out of my chair. Love this recipe so much I got overly excited. This is one of those “I need it now” types of dishes. Great flavors on the scallops (I love Tony’s) and those grits sound perfect!
You’ll love this one Danielle! My husband could eat it every day! I LOVE Tony’s products too!
I’m being serious when are you going to start hosting classes and teach food photography. Your photography is gorgeous. Hot damn the scallops look INCREDIBLE!! I honestly don’t think I’ve had cheesy grits before so this recipe is the PERFECT excuse to give them a try!!
You’re so sweet Christina! Thank you so much. I hope you give this dish a try! So flavorful and I bet you’ll LOVE Tony’s products!
Bring on the summer comfort food, what a delicious dinner idea!
Thanks Laura!
i loved the cheesy grit but would replace the scallops with something else as i am a vegetarian, any suggestion would be very helpful!
How about some roasted grape tomatoes? That would be delicious!