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Easy Shrimp Cakes Recipe

4.5 from 99 reviews

These Easy Shrimp Cakes are a quick and delicious seafood appetizer or main dish, featuring coarsely chopped shrimp combined with flavorful ingredients and pan-fried to golden perfection. Perfect for a weeknight meal or entertaining guests, these shrimp cakes are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, served best with lemon wedges and your favorite dipping sauce.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 lb raw shrimp (peeled and deveined)
  • 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 red pepper (finely chopped)
  • 2 tablespoons green onion (finely chopped)
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 2 large eggs (whisked)
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Prepare Shrimp: Gently pulse the raw shrimp in a food processor until coarsely chopped but not pureed, or alternatively finely chop by hand for texture.
  2. Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the coarsely chopped shrimp with panko breadcrumbs, finely chopped red pepper and green onion, mayonnaise, whisked eggs, lemon zest, salt, paprika, and black pepper. Use a fork to thoroughly mix all ingredients until evenly combined.
  3. Form Patties: Divide the shrimp mixture into 6 to 8 equal portions, depending on desired patty size, and shape each portion into a firm patty using your hands.
  4. Pan-Fry Shrimp Cakes: Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, carefully place the shrimp patties in the pan, cooking each side for approximately 4 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. If the patties start browning too quickly on the outside, reduce the heat to ensure even cooking inside. Work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan.
  5. Serve: Remove shrimp cakes from the pan and drain on paper towels if needed. Serve warm with lemon wedges and your favorite dipping sauce such as sour cream or aioli for an extra burst of flavor.

Notes

  • Using panko breadcrumbs adds a light, crispy texture to the shrimp cakes.
  • Make sure not to over-process the shrimp; a coarse chop preserves nice texture.
  • Adjust seasoning to taste—additional herbs or spices can be added as desired.
  • These shrimp cakes can be reheated in a skillet or oven and taste great cold as well.
  • For a gluten-free option, substitute panko with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed nuts.

Keywords: shrimp cakes, seafood patties, easy shrimp recipe, pan-fried shrimp, appetizer seafood