Shrimp Cakes with Zesty Avocado Dipping Sauce
Apr 27, 2019, Updated Apr 07, 2020
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Shrimp cakes are easy and very delicious. Learn how to make these tasty shrimp patties using fresh ingredients and serve with a zesty avocado dipping sauce for maximum flavor.
In our home, quick and easy dinner is done on a regular basis. Our favorites are shrimp avocado salad, lemon ginger shrimp orzo, Baked Shrimp in Chermoula Marinade and sriracha lime shrimp lettuce wraps. And, recently, we’ve become obsessed with shrimp patties that are so easy to whip up in a hurry. This shrimp cake recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner: it’s easy, zesty and oh so tasty!
This post is sponsored by SIMPLY AVOCADO. As always, all opinions are mine.
What are shrimp cakes?
Shrimp cakes also know as shrimp patties are like crab cakes but much cheaper to make at home. They are very simple to make and are packed with tasty ingredients and are usually served with a dipping sauce. These take about 30 minutes to make and are a great way to have seafood during the week.
When it comes to shrimp, we like it no matter how it’s cooked. But these are our absolute favorite because they’re also packed with flavor thanks to garlic, onion and paprika.
Ingredients to make shrimp cakes recipe
Shrimp patties are usually made with raw shrimp, eggs, onion, bread crumbs and spices. For this shrimp cake recipe I have also added paprika and garlic for more flavor. You can find cooked and raw shrimp in supermarkets. For this recipe we need raw shrimp and you can find them peeled or unpeeled.
How to clean shrimp
If the shrimp you got are not peeled and cleaned, then you should peel, devein and clean them before making these patties:
- If the shrimp has legs, start peeling from underneath and peel the shrimp completely.
- Cut the back of the shrimp using a pairing knife. Gently take out the black strip in the back and clean the shrimp with a paper towel.
- As for the tail, simply pull out the shrimp from the tail by gently squeezing it.
How to make shrimp cakes
Start with cleaning and peeling the shrimps. Then, place them in a food processor and pulse a few times until they’re chopped into small pieces. Mix the chopped shrimps with parsley, onion, panko bread crumbs, eggs, garlic and spices.
Form the mixture into small cakes and sear in a pan for four to five minutes on each side. These shrimp cakes with panko are crispy on the outside and soft and creamy on the inside.
How to make baked shrimp patties
Yes these shrimp cakes can be baked as well. You can simply form the patties and lace them on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake in the oven at 400°F for about 18 to 20 minutes until they are fully cooked. Make sure the oven is preheated. I personally prefer cooking them in the skillet because they will have crispier edges.
Avocado dipping sauce
We love having these shrimp patties with a delicious avocado dipping sauce. The creamy avocado sauce gives a great flavor to these mini shrimp cakes.
To make the zesty avocado dipping sauce I used Simply Avocado, which is a line of pure, wholesome avocado dips and spreads from the makers of Wholly Guacamole. I added some onion powder, lime zest and parsley to bring out all the flavors.
I love Simply Avocado because it’s always ripe and ready to eat so my family gets to enjoy fresh, great-tasting avocado year round. There’s no need to wait or guess the ripeness of an avocado either!
These shrimp cakes are a great alternative to crab cakes. Crab cakes are a classy dish that you can find in different restaurants and they’re usually quite pricey. Making them at home with real crab meat can be quite expensive as well. Shrimp patties are simple and also much cheaper to make at home.
What to serve with shrimp cakes
You can serve these with roasted or baked potatoes such as oven baked Greek potatoes. Another good side dish would be cilantro lime rice. A delicious as fresh side salad such as cucumber tomato avocado salad would work great, too.
Can I freeze shrimp patties?
I prefer to freeze cooked shrimp cakes. Once you cook all the patties, let them cool completely and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze for one hour until they’re solid then place them in a freezer safe bag or container. To serve, Preheat the oven to 350°F and place the frozen shrimp cakes on a lined baking sheet. Bake for about 20 minutes until they’re fully thawed and warm.
Notes and tips to make shrimp cake recipe
- Make sure you’re using raw shrimps for this recipe. If you accidentally got frozen cooked shrimps, saute onion and garlic as well, then mix all the ingredients. Cook the shrimp patties for shorter time to prevent the shrimps from getting rubbery.
- Make sure you only pulse the shrimps in the food processor a few times or else the shrimp will release water and becomes mushy.
- Don’t overcook the patties. Overcooked shrimp will have a rubbery texture.
- To make sure the shrimp cakes are all one size, use an ice cream scoop to make the patties.
Shrimp Cakes with Zesty Avocado Sauce
Ingredients
Shrimp Cakes
- 1 lb raw shrimp, see note #1
- 2 eggs
- 1 lime, juice of + zest
- 3 tbsp panko bread crumbs
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Zesty avocado dipping sauce
- 1 pack Simply Avocado
- 1 lime, juice + zest
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 2 tbsp parsley, chopped
Instructions
Shrimp Cakes
- Clean and peel the shrimps. Place them in a food processor and pulse 4 or 5 times until they are chopped into small pieces but are not mushy. Transfer them to a bowl.
- To the shrimp, add eggs, lime zest and juice, panko bread crumbs, paprika, salt, garlic powder and onion.
- Mix well until all ingredients are well combined.
- Heat olive oil in a pan and shape the shrimp mixture into small patties, about 2 1/2 inch wide. Place them in the pan and sear for four to five minutes on each side.
- Serve with zesty avocado dipping sauce.
Zesty avocado dipping sauce
- Mix all the ingredients in a bowl. Refrigerate for 15 minutes and then serve with shrimp cakes.
Notes
- Make sure you're using raw shrimps for this recipe. If you accidentally got frozen cooked shrimps, saute onion and garlic as well, then mix all the ingredients. Cook the shrimp patties for shorter time to prevent the shrimps from getting rubbery.
- Make sure you only pulse the shrimps in the food processor a few times or else the shrimp will release water and becomes mushy.
- Don't overcook the patties. Overcooked shrimp will have a rubbery texture.
- To make sure the shrimp cakes are all one size, use an ice cream scoop to make the patties.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I will literally put avocado on ANYTHING!!!! Can’t wait to try these shrimp cakes!
They’re super tasty!
I don’t know if I am more excited to try the shrimp cakes or that sauce! It all sounds so good!
they’re both awesome!
Oh man, these are right up my alley. I was just thinking of making crab cakes but now I think I’ll have to make shrimp cakes instead. Or both. With plenty of that avocado dipping sauce.
I love both crab cakes and shrimp cakes! So good with the avocado sauce!
Ohhh those shrimp cakes, I WANT! Need to check out that avocado next time at the store. I haven’t seen it!
They’re really good!
I’m loving the loo of that avocado dipping sauce! i absolutely love shrimp too, so this recipe looks so appetizing!
Thank you!