Description
Crispy shrimp cakes dance with zesty lemon aioli, bringing seaside flavors straight to your plate. Fresh Gulf shrimp and herbs come together in a quick, delectable appetizer that sparks conversation at any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
Supporting Ingredients:
- 2 green onions, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Seasoning and Cooking:
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- Pulse 1 pound fresh shrimp in a food processor until coarsely chopped, creating a slightly chunky texture for better cake structure.
- Transfer chopped shrimp to a mixing bowl and fold in 1 cup panko breadcrumbs, ensuring even distribution throughout the mixture.
- Add 1 large beaten egg, 2 finely chopped green onions, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, and 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning to the shrimp blend.
- Incorporate 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, then season with salt and pepper. Gently combine ingredients without overmixing.
- Shape the mixture into 6 compact patties, each approximately 2-3 inches wide and ½-inch thick.
- Refrigerate the shrimp cakes for 15 minutes at 40°F to help them maintain their shape during cooking.
- Pour ¼ cup vegetable oil into a large skillet and heat to 350°F over medium-high heat.
- Carefully place shrimp cakes into the hot oil, cooking 3-4 minutes per side until they develop a golden-brown crust.
- Transfer cooked cakes to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil and maintain crispiness.
- Whisk ½ cup mayonnaise with 1 minced garlic clove, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, and 2 teaspoons lemon juice for the aioli.
- Plate the shrimp cakes and serve immediately with the zesty lemon aioli on the side.
Notes
- Use fresh, high-quality shrimp for the best flavor and texture in your cakes.
- Chilling the mixture helps the shrimp cakes hold together better during cooking and prevents them from falling apart.
- If the mixture seems too wet, add a bit more breadcrumbs to help bind the ingredients and create a firmer patty.
- For a gluten-free version, swap traditional breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers.
- Prep Time: 15-20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
- Category: Shrimp
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 230 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 195 mg