Shrimp Burger Recipe with Lime Slaw

Our household absolutely loves this shrimp burger recipe with garlic and ginger. The burgers turn out juicy, slightly sweet from the shrimp, and pair perfectly with our creamy lime slaw.

We’ve had this shrimp burger idea for a while now, and I’m thrilled to finally share it with you. The key to these burgers is using raw shrimp, egg white, and a touch of cornstarch. The egg white and cornstarch help hold the patties together while keeping them light.

I highly recommend topping your burger with our creamy lime slaw (recipe below) and a dollop of spicy mayo for a delicious burger sauce.

Key Ingredients

• • Shrimp: The shrimp really shines in this burger recipe, so choose shrimp you truly enjoy. We love using Patagonian pink shrimp for their firm and sweet texture. I typically use frozen shrimp, thaw them overnight in the fridge, and use them the next day. You can also quick-thaw them in a bowl under cold running water for a few minutes.
  • Garlic, Ginger, and Green Onions: These burgers are inspired by Asian shrimp dishes, so we incorporate fresh garlic, ginger, and plenty of green onions. I finely mince the garlic, grate the ginger, and hand-mince the green onions for the best flavor.
  • Egg White and Cornstarch: Flour and breadcrumbs can overpower the shrimp’s delicate taste, so we use an egg white and a generous amount of cornstarch to bind the mixture into patties. It works like a charm.
  • Salt, Sugar, and Tamari: To season the burgers, add a touch of salt, sugar, and low-sodium tamari (or soy sauce). These ingredients may seem minimal, but they make a significant impact on the flavor.
  • Burger Sauce: Opt for toasted buns and a light spread of plain mayo, or try our homemade spicy mayo for a flavorful burger sauce. Another option is to skip the sauce mentioned below and use Bang Bang sauce instead for a sweet, spicy, and creamy twist.
  • Slaw: These sweet shrimp patties pair wonderfully with a cool and crunchy slaw. Our simple coleslaw recipe includes cabbage, green onions, salt, pepper, lime juice, and mayo. The extra black pepper really elevates the slaw, so feel free to adjust to your taste. For a mayo-free alternative, try our cilantro lime slaw.

How to Make Shrimp Burgers

Tip 1: Preparing your shrimp. This step is hands-on but straightforward.

• • Begin by seasoning the shrimp with a bit of salt, allowing it to sit for a minute, then rinsing, draining, and patting it dry. This technique helps plump up the shrimp and enhances their flavor.
  • Next, finely mince about three-quarters of the shrimp, either by hand or using a food processor. Leave the remaining shrimp slightly chunkier to add texture to the patties.

Tip 2: Making the burger mix. Before adding the chopped shrimp, thoroughly combine all the burger mix ingredients (salt, sugar, tamari, garlic, ginger, green onions, egg white, and cornstarch) until smooth. Then gently fold in the chopped shrimp.

Tip 3: Refrigerate the burger mix for 30 minutes. Since the mixture may be sticky and loose, refrigerate it for half an hour to allow the cornstarch to absorb the moisture and firm up the mixture.

While the mix chills, you can prepare the sauce and slaw, both of which are quick and easy to mix.

Tip 4: Sear the shrimp patties on both sides first. To achieve a golden color, shape the mixture into four balls, place each in a skillet with oil, gently press into patties, and sear both sides until lightly colored.

Tip 5: Finish in the oven. Once both sides are golden, transfer the patties to a baking sheet and bake for 10 to 12 minutes to ensure they are fully cooked through.

Serving Suggestions

These burgers are fantastic on their own when topped with slaw, but you can also serve them with a side dish. Classic options include oven-baked French fries or sweet potato fries with fry sauce. They also pair well with sautéed broccoli, garlic ginger spicy edamame, or pickles.

More of Our Favorite Shrimp Recipes