There’s no doubt that these are the best shrimp burgers ever. They taste great and are full of chunks of shrimp, lemon, and herbs. After being pan seared, they are crispy on the outside and soft in the middle. They only take 30 minutes to make.
The satisfaction I get from eating a burger is usually dependent on just one thing, the toppings. As long as you put enough sauces, mushrooms, avocado, caramelized onions, and a pickle on top of a piece of cardboard and put it in a bun, I will happily eat it. To be perfectly frank, the patty is more or less irrelevant. These Shrimp Burgers are a total game changer. With juicy pieces of tender shrimp and light flavors of lemon and parsley in every bite, you don’t need any toppings. I like to put the shrimp burgers on a lettuce bun with lettuce, a pickle, and a lemon-garlic aioli. But they’re also great on their own or with a salad.
Shrimp burgers have become an increasingly popular alternative to traditional beef burgers. As more people look to add more seafood into their diets or reduce red meat consumption the demand for shrimp burgers continues to grow. But what exactly are shrimp burgers made of? In this complete guide we’ll cover everything you need to know about the ingredients, nutrition, and preparation of shrimp burgers.
A Brief History of Shrimp Burgers
While beef hamburgers have a long history dating back to the late 1800s, shrimp burgers are a much more recent invention They likely originated in coastal towns along the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean in the mid-1900s as a way to utilize the abundant shrimp catches.
The earliest recorded shrimp burger recipes appear in community cookbooks from Louisiana and South Carolina in the 1950s and 1960s. As shrimp burgers gained popularity along the coasts, recipes spread inland across the US by the 1970s and 1980s. Today you can find shrimp burgers in restaurants and home kitchens nationwide.
The Main Ingredients
The key ingredient that distinguishes a shrimp burger is, of course, shrimp! Shrimp burgers are typically made with a base of chopped raw shrimp combined with various binders and flavorings. Here are the main ingredients:
Shrimp – The most essential ingredient is medium raw shrimp, peeled and deveined Shrimp provides the briny seafood flavor and bouncy texture Using raw shrimp allows the proteins to bind together when cooked.
Binders – Binders like breadcrumbs or almond flour help hold the patties together. They also absorb excess moisture from the shrimp. Panko breadcrumbs are commonly used.
Eggs – Eggs act as another binder to help the patty maintain its shape during cooking. Eggs also lend moisture and richness.
Onions – Finely diced onions provide moisture and flavor balance. Any type works well such as yellow, white or red onion.
Herbs & Spices – Herbs like parsley, cilantro or dill and spices like Old Bay seasoning give shrimp burgers bright, aromatic flavor.
Lemon – Lemon juice and zest brighten up shrimp burgers with some acidity to balance the rich, savory flavors.
Salt & Pepper – Salt and pepper season the patties and enhance the natural flavors.
Other Common Add-Ins
In addition to the core ingredients above, there are many other mix-ins that can customize the flavor profile of shrimp burgers:
- Mayonnaise or aioli – Adds moisture and a creamy tang
- Hot sauce – Brings heat and vinegar notes
- Worchestershire or fish sauce – Provides umami, briny depth
- Chopped bell peppers – For added crunch and sweetness
- Scallions – Contribute oniony bite and green freshness
- Chili powder or cayenne – For a spicy kick
- Dijon or whole grain mustard – Adds zing
The possibilities are endless when it comes to personalizing shrimp burger mixes. Just about any herbs, spices, vegetables or condiments are fair game.
Shaping the Burger Patties
To form the shrimp mixture into patties, it helps to use wet hands. Shape the mixture into compact balls, then flatten into discs about 1/2-inch thick. Chilling the patties in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes allows them to firm up before cooking. This helps them hold together better during cooking.
Patties can be made in advance and kept refrigerated for a few hours until ready to cook. For longer storage, uncooked patties can be frozen for 1-2 months. Thaw completely before cooking.
When cooking shrimp patties, it’s important to achieve a sear on the outside while cooking the inside all the way through. Use a hot skillet greased with oil or butter over medium-high heat. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side. The patties should develop a golden crust.
Serving Suggestions
One of the best qualities of shrimp burgers is their versatility. You can customize them into so many different styles:
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Classic burger – Served on a toasted bun with lettuce, tomato, onion and condiments like tartar sauce.
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Lettuce wrap – For a low carb option, serve in lettuce leaves instead of a bun.
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Seafood slider – Make mini patties and serve on mini buns for an appetizer.
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Tacos – Top corn tortillas with patties, cabbage, avocado and chipotle crema.
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Buddha bowl – Add to a grain bowl with veggies and dressing.
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Seafood salad – Serve warm patties over mixed greens for a composed salad.
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Kebabs – Alternate pieces of patties with veggies on skewers.
No matter how you serve them up, shrimp burgers deliver a briny, mildly sweet seafood flavor in a fun and familiar burger format. They’re a refreshing change from the usual beef burger routine.
Nutrition Profile
One of the biggest nutritional advantages of shrimp burgers compared to beef is their high protein, low fat content. A 4 ounce shrimp burger patty contains:
- 120 calories
- 20g protein
- 2g total fat
- 330mg sodium
- Minimal carbs
Shrimp are naturally low in fat and calories while providing a powerhouse protein boost. The protein in shrimp contains all the essential amino acids our bodies need.
Shrimp are also rich in antioxidants like astaxanthin plus minerals like selenium, zinc, copper and iodine. They provide some B vitamins like niacin, pyridoxine and pantothenic acid.
Overall, swapping beef burgers for shrimp burgers can benefit heart health by reducing saturated fat intake while still offering complete protein. Just be mindful of any salty seasonings and condiments that can drive up sodium levels.
Cost Comparison
One potential downside of shrimp burgers is the higher cost compared to ground beef. Shrimp are typically pricier than beef per pound. However, a few factors help offset the cost difference:
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Shrimp burgers use less meat per serving since patties are smaller and thinner compared to beef burger patties. A quarter pound of shrimp makes 1-2 patties versus 1 beef patty.
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Extenders like breadcrumbs further stretch the shrimp.
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Shrimp provide more protein per calorie than beef, so smaller portions may be satisfying.
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Shrimp burgers use parts of the shrimp like tails that might otherwise be discarded.
Even with the higher price point, shrimp burgers can still be an affordable, occasional splurge to mix up your burger routine. Choosing lower cost options like frozen shrimp helps cut the cost down.
Final Takeaways
When a seafood craving hits, shrimp burgers are a delicious way to enjoy the briny sweetness of shrimp in burger form. From the core ingredients of shrimp, eggs and herbs to the limitless serving possibilities, shrimp burgers open up a whole new burger horizon.
Despite the higher price per pound, a little shrimp goes a long way when making flavor-packed patties augmented with crunchy veggies and bold seasonings. An occasional indulgence in shrimp burgers can add beneficial nutrition from shrimp while cutting back on red meat.
So next time those beef burger cravings kick in, give shrimp burgers a try for a refreshing, lighter take on the classic burger. Your taste buds will thank you!
Ways To Eat These Shrimp Burgers:
These shrimp patties are incredibly versatile and can be eaten in so many different ways
- You can put them on brioche or hamburger buns and top them with lettuce, tomato slices, and the tasty lemon sauce. Or, for a healthier option, serve them in a lettuce bun. For “buns,” I like butter lettuce best.
- Place them warm on top of a simple salad of cucumber, tomato, and lettuce. Drizzle the lemon and herb aioli over the top.
- You can shape them into small patties and serve them as finger food with aioli on top.
How To Make These Shrimp Burgers:
- Put half of the shrimp in a food processor and pulse it until it’s very fine. This will make it easier to assemble the shrimp patties. Cut up the second half of the shrimp into small pieces.
- Put the mixed shrimp and chopped shrimp into a medium-sized bowl. Add the almond flour, egg, diced onion, parsley, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Stir the ingredients together until they are well blended.
- Spread the batter out to make patties after rolling it into balls. Put the patties on a baking sheet or plate lined with parchment paper. Put them in the fridge for an hour to get firm.
- On medium-high heat, add the oil to a large nonstick skillet. The patties should be cooked for 4 minutes on each side until they turn golden brown. Make sure the skillet is hot before adding the patties so they don’t fall apart while cooking. Also, don’t touch them for 4 minutes so a golden crust forms before flipping them over.
How to Cook a Perfectly Juicy Shrimp Burger with @DaymDrops
FAQ
How many calories are in a shrimp burger?
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Nutrition Facts
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For a Serving Size of 1 burger (113g)
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How many calories are in Shrimp Burger? Amount of calories in Shrimp Burger: Calories 50
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Calories from Fat 3.6 (7.2%)
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% Daily Value *
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How much fat is in Shrimp Burger? Amount of fat in Shrimp Burger: Total Fat 0.4g
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