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Crisp outside, tender inside, and lightly spiced, this healthy Shrimp Burger recipe holds together on the grill and brings welcome variety to your typical cookout menu.

shrimp burger on a bun

A new way to do burgers.

cookbook author erin clarke of well plated

While shrimp might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a burger—even Turkey Burgers and Vegan Burgers tend to be mentioned first—don’t overlook it! This shrimp burger recipe might just become a new favorite.

  • The texture of shrimp makes it ideal for forming patties without the need for breadcrumbs or other binders. It also stays together and is easy to flip on the grill—because nothing is sadder than watching food break apart and disappear between the grates!
  • These Southern shrimp burgers are inspired by the shrimp po’boys I inhaled during my travels through Louisiana. The patties use similar seasoning, but they don’t require the mess of a deep fryer.
  • Shrimp burgers are ideal for entertaining because they can be made well in advance and are friendly to an assortment of dietary needs.

5 Star Review

“SO GOOD! I was looking for a healthy weeknight meal and these hit the spot. Surprisingly easy and filling but lots of flavor.”

— Maggie —
southern shrimp burger with toppings

My Tips and Tricks to Nail This Recipe

  • Don’t Process All the Shrimp. The secret to holding the patties together without turning them into total mush is to puree only a portion of the shrimp. The remaining shrimp is roughly chopped, then folded into the batter. This gives the burgers texture while avoiding the need for extra binders or fillers.
  • Pan-Frying Option. If you prefer a fried shrimp burger recipe or your grilling plans got rained out, by all means you can pan fry them, but we found these burgers taste plenty decadent without the extra oil.
  • Size Them to Your Buns. You can make smaller shrimp burger patties for sliders, or bigger patties if you’re using larger bakery-style buns.

Key Ingredients

You’ll find the full list of ingredients in the recipe card below, but here are some notes to keep in mind.

  • Shrimp. Peel and devein it before you get started, if it’s not already.
  • Dijon Mustard. To wake up the shrimp and give the burgers some zip. (Dijon is also the flavor punch in another seafood favorite, Crab Salad.)
  • Green Onions + Parsley. For a touch of freshness.
  • Bell Pepper. A colorful red bell pepper complements the seasonings and sneaks in veggies too.
  • Southern-Inspired Spices. Paprika, seafood seasoning, and a pinch of cayenne give a nod to the classic shrimp po’boy.

Shrimp Burger Topping Suggestions

Because it’s not a burger without the fixin’s!

  • Sliced Avocado. Forever and ever amen.
  • Plain Greek Yogurt. A creamy, tangy, healthy alternative to mayo (I love to mix it with the Dijon for my own burger sauce).
  • Lettuce + Tomato. The classics.
  • Thinly Sliced Red Onion. Soak it in cold water first if you’d like to keep the flavor while removing some of the harsh afterbite.
  • Healthy Coleslaw. Topping burgers with slaw adds creaminess and crunch.
  • Tartar Sauce. Lean into Friday fish fry mode with this one.

How to Make Shrimp Burgers

Prepare. Preheat the grill to medium. Add 2/3 of the shrimp to a food processor.

Process. Add the garlic and seasonings. Pulse a few times.

Mix. Stir in the remaining bell pepper, green onion, and shrimp.

Form Burgers. Shape 6 patties. Refrigerate for 15 minutes.

Cook. Grill for 4-5 minutes. Flip and grill for another 3-4 minutes. Top as desired and ENJOY!

Recipe Variations

  • Cajun Shrimp Burgers. Swap the salt and seafood seasoning for your favorite Cajun seasoning. Add extra cayenne if you dare!
  • Spicy Shrimp Burgers. Supplement the cayenne with additional hot sauce, or top your burger with hot sauce prior to serving.
  • Asian Shrimp Burgers. Omit the seafood seasoning and add fresh ginger to the patties. Take a note from my Teriyaki Burgers and top with grilled pineapple.

What to Serve with Shrimp Burgers

grilled shrimp burger on a bun with avocado

Shrimp Burger

4.78 From 22 reviews . Help us out! Review HERE.Help out & review HERE

Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 45 minutes

Servings: 6 burgers
This shrimp burger recipe is tender, juicy and delicious, with po' boy inspired seasonings. A fresh, healthy change to summer grilling!

Ingredients
  

FOR THE BURGERS:

  • 2 pounds raw shrimp tail removed, deveined, divided
  • 3 cloves garlic peeled
  • 1 tablespoon ground paprika
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon seafood seasoning
  • teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 green onions roughly chopped, divided
  • 1 small red bell pepper roughly chopped, divided
  • ¼ cup roughly chopped fresh parsley
  • Canola oil for grilling

FOR SERVING:

  • Burger buns
  • Plain nonfat Greek yogurt
  • Dijon mustard
  • Sliced tomato
  • Lettuce
  • Sliced avocado

Instructions
 

  • Preheat a grill to medium high (about 375 degrees F). In a food processor fitted with a steel blade, add 2/3 of the shrimp.
  • Add the garlic, paprika, mustard, salt, seafood seasoning, and cayenne. Pulse a few times to begin to incorporate. Add 1/2 of the green onion and 1/2 of the bell pepper. Puree until fairly smooth, stopping to scrape down sides of bowl as needed. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.
  • Finely chop the remaining shrimp, bell pepper, and green onion (you want the shrimp to bind with the burgers but still be a little chunky so that the burgers have texture). Add to the bowl and stir until evenly combined.
  • Shape mixture into 6 patties that are about ¾-inch thick and 3 1/2 to 4 inches in diameter. Place in the refrigerator and chill for 15 minutes.
  • Make sure your grill is very clean. Brush the outsides of the shrimp patties with oil. Place on the grill (clean it one more time for good measure—any debris can make the patties stick), close the lid, then cook on the first side without disturbing for 4 to 5 minutes, until the patties release easily. Flip and cook on the other side until the patties are cooked through, about 3 to 4 minutes more.
  • If desired, in the last few minutes of cooking, place the buns on the grill, cut side down, and lightly toast.
  • Serve the shrimp burgers on the toasted buns, topped with Greek yogurt, mustard, lettuce, tomato, and avocado as desired. Enjoy!

Notes

  • TO STORE: Place cooked burgers in an airtight storage container or individually wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
  • TO REHEAT: Very gently reheat burgers in a nonstick skillet on the stovetop over medium-low heat.
  • TO FREEZE: Individually wrap cooked or uncooked burgers, and freeze them in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating or cooking.

Nutrition

Serving: 1(of 6)Calories: 168kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 32gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 381mgPotassium: 226mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1474IUVitamin C: 36mgCalcium: 237mgIron: 4mg

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Erin Clarke

Hi, I'm Erin Clarke, and I'm fearlessly dedicated to making healthy food that's affordable, easy-to-make, and best of all DELISH. I'm the author and recipe developer here at wellplated.com and of The Well Plated Cookbook. I adore both sweets and veggies, and I am on a mission to save you time and dishes. WELCOME!

Learn more about Erin

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  1. Love your recipes! Any suggestions for left over cooked salmon? Already have salmon patties and salmon burgers and salmon tacos so something different.

  2. Will be making this soon can i use mushrooms and coconut yogurt as am a vegan can i skip lettuce as am not a big fan of it i dont have aldi in Singapore perfect for my after office meals will dm you if i make this and let you know how it goes Thanks Ramya

  3. The texture of these is absolutely perfect! Kids loved them too, which is the highest praise. This will be a regular.5 stars

  4. SO GOOD! I was looking for a healthy weeknight meal and these hit the spot. Surprisingly easy and filling but lots of flavor.5 stars

  5. I’ve never left a review before but I always read other’s opinions and pay attention to the ratings. This recipe is perfectly delicious. Even my husband who is a meat guy ate it and said it was good…he said he would eat these again! I am always looking for the next best recipe to beat out the last one but this is going to be my go to shrimp burger recipe for now on. Wonderful!5 stars

    1. Hi David! Yes you can. There is further details in the section “Storage Tips” in the blog post. Enjoy!

  6. The patties held together perfectly on the grill, and they cooked up juicy and tender. I served them on toasted brioche buns with some avocado and some crisp lettuce and tomato. It was like a gourmet burger at a cheap price!5 stars

  7. I was looking for a new recipe to impress my friends at our next barbecue gathering, and this one definitely delivered. They’re perfect for anyone who loves seafood but wants something a little different from the usual grilled fish. The shrimp patties cook up quickly and they stay moist.5 stars

  8. These shrimp burgers are a breath of fresh air. They’re surprisingly easy to make and so delicious. I served them with some sweet potato fries and a side of lemon-herb aioli. What a delicious and satisfying meal. Thank you, Erin!5 stars

  9. Honestly, these were better than I thought they’d be. I was afraid they’d be too soft or fall apart, but once grilled they held up just fine. I added a squeeze of lime before serving and it really brought everything together. Not something I’d make every week, but I’ll definitely do it again. Thanks5 stars

  10. These burgers are definitely a good option if you’re looking for something lighter than beef. The texture was a little delicate on the grill, but they firmed up nicely after resting a few minutes. Served them on toasted buns with lettuce and avocado, very satisfying. Thanks5 stars

  11. I’ve never made a shrimp burger before and wasn’t sure what to expect. I can say these turned out surprisingly flavorful and juicy. I like that they don’t feel heavy like beef burgers. The mix of herbs and veggies gave it a fresh vibe. I’d maybe use a little less or remove cayenne next time for my kids’ sake, but for me it was just right.5 stars

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