Shrimp Cakes with Lemon Aioli Recipe
Deliciously crispy shrimp cakes are flavored with fresh herbs, lemon zest, and a hint of Old Bay seasoning, pan-fried to golden perfection and served with a zesty homemade lemon aioli. This easy-to-make recipe offers a perfect appetizer or light meal that’s bursting with fresh seafood flavor and tangy citrus notes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 shrimp cakes 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp Cakes:
- 1 lb shrimp (peeled, deveined, and roughly chopped)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (preferably panko for extra crispiness)
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for frying)
Lemon Aioli:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon garlic (minced)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Shrimp: Roughly chop the shrimp into small, bite-sized pieces to maintain good texture in the cakes.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, gently mix chopped shrimp, breadcrumbs, mayonnaise, egg, Dijon mustard, parsley, lemon zest, Old Bay seasoning, salt, and pepper until all ingredients are well incorporated without overmixing.
- Form the Cakes: Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and shape each into a round patty approximately 1 inch thick.
- Heat the Oil: Warm the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until hot and ready for frying.
- Fry the Cakes: Carefully add the shrimp cakes to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side or until they turn golden brown and crispy. Flip gently to keep the cakes intact.
- Drain and Keep Warm: Transfer cooked shrimp cakes to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil and keep them warm.
- Prepare the Lemon Aioli: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lemon juice, lemon zest, and minced garlic until smooth and combined.
- Season to Taste: Adjust salt and pepper and add more lemon juice or zest if stronger citrus flavor is desired.
Notes
- Panko breadcrumbs are preferred for extra crispiness, but regular breadcrumbs can be used.
- Be careful not to overmix the shrimp cake mixture to avoid dense cakes.
- If desired, serve with a fresh salad or in a sandwich for a more substantial meal.
- Old Bay seasoning can be substituted with your favorite seafood seasoning if unavailable.
- Leftover shrimp cakes can be refrigerated and reheated gently in a skillet to retain crispiness.
Keywords: shrimp cakes, seafood appetizer, lemon aioli, fried shrimp patties, easy seafood recipe, quick appetizer
