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Shrimp Burger Recipe

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I’ve been cooking and sharing recipes for over a decade, and shrimp is one of those things I know how to get right without drying it out or making it rubbery. These shrimp burgers are juicy, well-seasoned, and actually hold together, no crumbly mess over here. With my Louisiana roots, you already know the flavor is bold, not bland, and every bite tastes like something. If you’ve been disappointed by shrimp burgers before, this is the one that fixes it.

shrimp burger on a brioche bun with lettuce, tomatoes, and spicy mayo
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These burgers offer a healthier alternative to traditional beef burgers, as shrimp is a low-fat and high-protein source of nutrition. They are also a great way to enjoy the fresh, bold flavors of seafood in a fun and easy-to-eat format.

I’ve had the Trader Joe’s shrimp burgers and they are not good. I was so disappointed. I’m a huge fan of Trader Joe’s but they mixed the mark. They taste super processed. I couldn’t finish them after my first bite. I filed that away and eventually came up with this recipe!

Shrimp Burger Ingredients

  • Shrimp
  • Old Bay Seasoning, Smoked Paprika, Lemon Pepper Seasoning, Salt
  • Egg
  • Breadcrumbs
  • Olive Oil
raw peeled and deveined shrimp in a glass bowl
raw egg, breadcrumbs, and spices in separate glass bowls

How to Make Shrimp Burgers

Full detailed instructions are below in the recipe card.

  1. Dice half of the shrimp into small pieces about an inch thick. For the remaining half of the shrimp finely dice it into bits or use a food processor to get the job done.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped and finely diced shrimp, spices, breadcrumbs, and egg. Mix to combine the ingredients.
  3. Use wet hands to form the mixture into 4 patties or whatever size you would like them to be.
  4. Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil.
  5. Once the skillet is hot, add the shrimp burgers to the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the burgers are golden brown and cooked through.
  6. Remove the burgers from the skillet and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.
collage of 4 photos with raw shrimp diced in a food processor
collage of 4 photos with raw shrimp mixed with eggs, breadcrumbs, and spices then shrimp patties in a cast iron skillet
shrimp burger on a brioche bun with lettuce
shrimp burger on a brioche bun with lettuce, tomatoes, and spicy mayo
shrimp burger on a brioche bun with lettuce, tomatoes, and spicy mayo

Shrimp Burger Recipe

Brandi Crawford
I’ve been cooking and sharing recipes for over a decade, and shrimp is one of those things I know how to get right without drying it out or making it rubbery. These shrimp burgers are juicy, well-seasoned, and actually hold together, no crumbly mess over here. With my Louisiana roots, you already know the flavor is bold, not bland, and every bite tastes like something. If you’ve been disappointed by shrimp burgers before, this is the one that fixes it.
5 from 3 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 23 minutes
Course dinner, lunch
Cuisine American
Servings 4 burgers
Calories 344 kcal

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and chop/dice half of the shrimp into small pieces about an inch thick. For the remaining half of the shrimp finely dice it into bits or use a food processor to get the job done.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped and finely diced shrimp, spices, breadcrumbs, and egg. Mix to combine the ingredients. Do not overmix. It results in dry burgers.
  • Use wet hands to form the mixture into 4 patties or whatever size you would like them to be.
  • Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil.
  • Once the skillet is hot, add the shrimp burgers to the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the burgers are golden brown and cooked through.
  • Remove the shrimp burgers from the skillet and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.
  • Serve the shrimp burgers on a bun with your favorite toppings.

Air Fryer Instructions

  • Air fry the patties at 400 degrees for 8-12 minutes. Flip halfway through.

Notes

You can use any breadcrumbs you like including seasoned breadcrumbs.
The burgers will be really sticky while you are handling them and forming patties. Shrimp has a high protein content. When shrimp is ground up, the proteins in the shrimp come into contact with each other and form a sticky bond. Wet hands are really helpful.
If your mixture is too sticky to handle, after mixing the burger ingredients together, refrigerate the mixture for at least 30 minutes to help firm it up and make it easier to handle.
Eggs are used as a binding agent. They are used similarly to how you would prepare meatloaf, crab cakes, etc. You can omit the eggs, but you will likely struggle to form patties and keep them together while cooking.
If your burgers are tough and dry you overcooked them or you spent too much time overmixing the raw meat mixture.

Nutrition

Serving: 1burger with brioche bunCalories: 344kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 21gFat: 8g
Keyword shrimp burger, shrimp burger recipe, shrimp burgers, shrimp patty
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
person holding shrimp burger on a brioche bun with lettuce, tomatoes, and spicy mayo

Frequently Asked Questions and Recipe Pro Tips

What seasoning and spices work best?

Your favorite seafood spices and blends will work best. I use a combination of Old Bay, Smoked Paprika, and Lemon Pepper.

How do I make these with spicy mayo?

For the spicy mayo, I combined 1 tablespoon of mayo with 1 teaspoon of hot sauce. I use Louisiana or Sriracha. Adjust the ratio and measurements to suit your taste.

What type of shrimp works best?

Use raw shrimp, not pre-cooked. Fresh or frozen both work, just make sure they’re peeled, deveined, and thawed if frozen.

How do you keep shrimp burgers from falling apart?

You need a binder. Egg, breadcrumbs, or even a little mayo helps hold everything together. Also, don’t over-process the shrimp, you want some texture, not a paste.

Should the shrimp be chopped or blended?

Roughly chop or pulse in a food processor. Leave some chunks for the best texture, fully blended shrimp can turn rubbery.

Can I make shrimp burgers ahead of time?

Yes. Form the patties and store them covered in the fridge for up to 24 hours before cooking.

How do I know when shrimp burgers are done?

They should be opaque and firm to the touch. Internal temp should hit 145°F, same as regular shrimp.

Why are my shrimp burgers rubbery?

Usually overcooking or over-processing the shrimp. Keep some texture in the mix and don’t cook them too long.

How do I keep them juicy?

Don’t overcook them and consider adding a little mayo or oil to the mixture for extra moisture.

How to Store

Leftovers can be stored tightly covered and sealed for 3-4 days in the fridge.

How to Reheat

You can reheat them in the air fryer, oven, or on a grill at 350 degrees until warm. You can also reheat them in a skillet on the stove with a little bit of oil. I would avoid the microwave because you risk the texture drying out and becoming rubbery.

Freezer Tips

You can freeze the burgers tightly covered and sealed for 2-3 months. Defrost the burgers in the fridge.
Check out our posts, Side Dishes with Shrimp Tacos and Side Dishes for Shrimp for ideas for pairing.

More Shrimp Recipes

Blackened Shrimp
Creamy Shrimp and Corn Chowder with Potatoes
Cajun Shrimp Salad
Creamy Shrimp Risotto
Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Pasta
Spicy Shrimp Tacos
Creamy Shrimp Enchiladas
Steak and Shrimp Surf and Turf

5 from 3 votes
Recipe Rating




Colleen Herzic

Sunday 16th of February 2025

Holy Shrimp Burger these are delicious! I did the shrimp a little too big but it worked out. I made mayo with old bay on homemade buns lightly toasted. Best ever! Thank you for this recipe!

Brandi Crawford

Friday 4th of April 2025

You're welcome!

Ashley

Sunday 31st of December 2023

Had shrimp on hand and wanted to try something different and I knew Brandi would have something on her site! These do not disappoint! I want to make these over and over again, they’re surprisingly easy and delicious and have you saying Trader Joe’s who?! Lol

Brandi Crawford

Tuesday 9th of January 2024

haha yes! Trader Joe's who?!

BC Marks

Sunday 6th of August 2023

Brandi, how many carbs does the brioche bun have?

Brandi Crawford

Monday 7th of August 2023

Every brand is different. Read the label on the one you buy.

Monica O

Wednesday 19th of April 2023

I had everything on hand already, so made these for lunch, and it was quick and delicious! I also added spicy mayo, which was the perfect kick. Definitely keeping this recipe handy for when I need a quick, filling, nutrient dense meal!

Brandi Crawford

Wednesday 19th of April 2023

I’m glad you have the ingredients on hand!