This recipe was inspired by my grandma’s Sunday grits, but with a little modern magic. I turned creamy grits into golden cakes and topped them with garlicky shrimp and melty Parmesan. The result? A dish that’s rich, crispy, and comforting—like a warm hug from the South. It’s perfect for brunch, dinner, or anytime you need something special.
For Grits Cakes:
1 cup quick-cooking grits
2 1/2 cups water
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt & pepper to taste
1 tbsp butter
1 egg (for binding)
1/2 cup panko or breadcrumbs (for coating)
Oil for frying
For Garlic Shrimp:
1 lb shrimp, peeled & deveined
2 tbsp butter
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp paprika
Salt & pepper to taste
2 tbsp chopped parsley
Make Grits: Bring water to boil, stir in grits, cook until thick (5–7 mins). Stir in Parmesan, butter, salt, and pepper. Let cool slightly.
Shape & Chill: Mix in egg, then form into small patties. Chill for 30 minutes (or overnight).
Crisp the Cakes: Coat cakes in panko. Pan-fry in oil until golden on both sides (about 3 mins each).
Cook Shrimp: In a skillet, melt butter, add garlic, then shrimp, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook 2–3 mins per side. Finish with lemon juice and parsley.
Assemble & Serve: Place shrimp over grits cakes and spoon extra garlic butter on top.