Golden on the outside, juicy in the middle, and wildly addictive, these Shrimp Cakes are the kind of recipe you make once and then keep in your back pocket forever. They feel a little fancy, taste restaurant worthy, yet come together with minimal effort and ingredients you probably already have.

Whether you are serving them as an appetiser, stuffing them into buns, or piling them onto a salad, this shrimp cake recipe hits that sweet spot between impressive and easy. The best part is how forgiving they are, which makes them perfect if you are learning how to make shrimp cakes without stressing.

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  • What Makes These Shrimp Cakes Work
  • What Goes Into These Shrimp Cakes
  • Want To Switch Things Up?
  • How To Make These Shrimp Cakes
  • Pro Tips From My Kitchen
  • Recipe FAQ’s
  • Shrimp Cakes Recipe

What Makes These Shrimp Cakes Work

  • Real shrimp texture, not paste: The shrimp are lightly chopped instead of blitzed smooth, giving these Shrimp Cakes a juicy bite instead of a mushy centre.
  • Crispy without deep frying: A shallow pan fry delivers golden edges while keeping the cakes light and not oily.
  • Built in flavour: Fresh herbs, citrus zest, and a few smart mix ins mean you do not need a heavy sauce to make them shine.
  • Weeknight friendly: This is an easy shrimp cakes recipe that comes together fast and works just as well for casual dinners as it does for entertaining.

What Goes Into These Shrimp Cakes

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These shrimp cakes come together with fresh, vibrant ingredients that add plenty of flavor and texture. You’ll love how simple yet satisfying each bite is.

  • Raw Shrimp: Fresh, peeled, and deveined shrimp form the base of these cakes, giving them a juicy, tender bite.
  • Panko Breadcrumbs: These light, airy breadcrumbs help bind the mixture while keeping the texture crispy and light.
  • Red Bell Pepper: Finely diced for a pop of color and a sweet crunch in every bite.
  • Chives: Fresh chives add a mild onion flavor that brightens the shrimp mixture and makes a great garnish, too.

Note: Please see recipe card at the bottom for a full list of ingredients with measurements.

Want To Switch Things Up?

These Shrimp Cakes are flexible without losing their charm. If you want to tweak flavours or use what you have on hand, these swaps and add ins slide in beautifully without changing the core texture.

  • Celery: Finely diced celery adds extra crunch and a fresh bite that works especially well if you are serving the cakes with a creamy sauce.
  • Garlic: Minced garlic brings a deeper savoury note and pairs naturally with shrimp without overpowering it.
  • Parsley or Coriander: Swap the chives for parsley or coriander if that is what you have. Both add freshness while keeping the shrimp front and centre.
  • Smoked Paprika or Chilli Flakes: A small pinch adds gentle warmth and depth, perfect if you like your shrimp cakes with a little kick.
  • Greek Yoghurt: Replace part of the egg with thick Greek yoghurt for slightly softer, more tender shrimp cakes.

How To Make These Shrimp Cakes

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  1. Chop the Shrimp: Place the shrimp in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. Avoid over-processing; the mixture should still have small chunks, not a paste.
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  1. Mix the Ingredients: Transfer the chopped shrimp to a large bowl. Add the panko breadcrumbs, red bell pepper, chives, salt, pepper, eggs, and lemon zest. Stir gently until just combined.
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  1. Form the Patties: Using clean hands, shape the mixture into even-sized patties. Press them together firmly so they hold their shape while cooking.
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  1. Heat the Pan: Add the olive oil to a large skillet and place over medium-high heat. Let the oil heat until shimmering, but not smoking.
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  1. Cook the Shrimp Cakes: Place the patties in a single layer in the hot pan. Cook for 4–5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
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  1. Serve and Garnish: Remove from the pan and serve immediately. Top with extra chives, a dollop of sour cream, and lemon wedges if desired.

These shrimp cakes pair beautifully with light, fresh sides that let their flavor shine. Try serving them with a simple arugula salad, tangy coleslaw, or a Greek Chickpea Salad for a refreshing contrast.

For something heartier, go with Crispy Garlic Roasted Potatoes , Cheesy Garlic Roasted Asparagus , or rice pilaf. A creamy dipping sauce like tartar, remoulade, or a lemon aioli also takes them to the next level.

Pro Tips From My Kitchen

  • Do not overprocess the shrimp: Too fine and your Shrimp Cakes will turn soft instead of juicy.
  • Chill if needed: If the mixture feels loose, a short chill helps the cakes hold their shape.
  • Do not overcrowd the pan: Space equals crisp edges, so cook in batches if needed.
  • Flip once only: Let the crust form before turning so the cakes stay intact.

Yes! Just make sure to fully thaw and pat the shrimp dry before using. Excess moisture can make the mixture too wet.

Be sure to pulse the shrimp until coarsely chopped, not pureed, and mix the ingredients just until combined. Press the patties firmly when shaping to help them hold together.

Simply chop the shrimp by hand with a sharp knife until finely diced. It takes a bit longer but works just as well for this easy shrimp cakes recipe.

These easy shrimp cakes are loaded with veggies and herbs and pan seared to golden brown perfection in a bowl - 9 Karina in a white and black dress with her hair blowing back, standing in front of her cooktop, cooking salmon in a pan - 10

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IngredientsUSMetric1x2x3x

  • ▢ 1 pound raw shrimp peeled and deveined
  • ▢ 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • ▢ 1/4 cup red bell pepper finely diced
  • ▢ 3 tablespoons chives sliced, plus more for garnish
  • ▢ 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • ▢ 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • ▢ 2 eggs
  • ▢ 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • ▢ 4 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

  • Place the shrimp in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until coarsely chopped – do not grind into a paste.
  • Transfer the shrimp to a large bowl and add the panko breadcrumbs, red bell pepper, chives, salt, pepper, eggs, and lemon zest. Stir gently to combine.
  • Form the shrimp mixture into 6 patties.
  • Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium high heat. Add the shrimp patties in a single layer and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side or until golden brown.
  • Serve immediately, topped with additional chives and sour cream if desired. Garnish with lemon wedges if desired.

Notes

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

These easy shrimp cakes are loaded with veggies and herbs and pan seared to golden brown perfection in a bowl - 11

Shrimp Cakes

Ingredients

  • 1 pound raw shrimp peeled and deveined
  • 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup red bell pepper finely diced
  • 3 tablespoons chives sliced, plus more for garnish
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

  • Place the shrimp in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until coarsely chopped - do not grind into a paste.
  • Transfer the shrimp to a large bowl and add the panko breadcrumbs, red bell pepper, chives, salt, pepper, eggs, and lemon zest. Stir gently to combine.
  • Form the shrimp mixture into 6 patties.
  • Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium high heat. Add the shrimp patties in a single layer and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side or until golden brown.
  • Serve immediately, topped with additional chives and sour cream if desired. Garnish with lemon wedges if desired.

Notes

Nutrition

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