Delicious Shrimp Cakes with Zesty Corn & Avocado Salsa: Your New Favorite Seafood Appetizer
Elevate your seafood experience with these incredible Shrimp Cakes, a delightful twist on classic crab cakes! Perfectly seasoned shrimp patties, pan-fried to golden perfection, are topped with a vibrant, buttery, and slightly spicy corn and avocado salsa for an unforgettable flavor combination.
While traditional crab cakes certainly hold a special place in the hearts of seafood lovers, it’s time to explore an equally delicious and perhaps even more versatile alternative: Shrimp Cakes with Corn and Avocado Salsa. These culinary gems are light, incredibly fresh, and bursting with flavor, offering a mouthwatering experience that’s hard to beat. If you’re looking to put a fresh spin on your appetizer or main course rotation, this recipe is guaranteed to impress.
These versatile shrimp cakes are ideal for a variety of occasions. Serve them as a sophisticated appetizer at your next dinner party, or transform them into a satisfying main course. They pair beautifully with a range of fresh sides, enhancing the meal without overpowering the delicate flavors of the shrimp. Consider serving them alongside crisp Roasted Asparagus, a creamy and tangy Mexican Coleslaw, or a refreshing Simple Tossed Salad for a complete and balanced meal. The bright, zesty notes of the avocado salsa perfectly complement the rich seafood, creating a harmonious and appealing dish.
Beyond their incredible taste, shrimp offers numerous benefits. It’s not only delicious but also remarkably low in calories and packed with protein, making it an excellent choice for a healthy diet. Its versatility in cooking is unmatched, allowing for countless culinary creations. While this recipe does require a small amount of foresight – specifically, allowing the shrimp patties to chill and firm up in the refrigerator to ensure they hold their shape during cooking – the brief wait is absolutely worth it. This crucial step guarantees perfectly formed, tender shrimp cakes every time.
The star topping, the corn and avocado salsa, is an absolute game-changer. Its rich, buttery texture from the avocado, combined with the sweet crunch of corn and a subtle spicy kick, creates an irresistible complement to the delicate seafood patties. This salsa isn’t just an accompaniment; it’s an integral part of the dish, elevating each bite with its vibrant flavors and textures. So, why settle for the ordinary when you can indulge in this extraordinary and refreshing seafood experience? These shrimp cakes with avocado salsa are poised to become a family favorite.
Why You’ll Adore These Shrimp Cakes
- A Healthy and Light Culinary Delight – In today’s health-conscious world, finding dishes that are both delicious and nutritious can be a challenge. These shrimp cakes effortlessly bridge that gap. By utilizing reduced-fat mayonnaise and an abundance of fresh, vibrant ingredients like zesty lime juice, crisp green onions, and aromatic cilantro, these shrimp cakes offer a lighter, healthier alternative to many fried seafood options. They provide incredible flavor without weighing you down, making them perfect for guilt-free enjoyment. Shrimp itself is a lean protein source, rich in essential nutrients, further contributing to the health benefits of this fantastic recipe.
- Quick, Easy, and Effortless Prep – Life can be hectic, and quick dinner solutions are always a win. This shrimp cake recipe shines with its simplicity and speed. Requiring just about 20 minutes of active preparation time, it’s an ideal choice for busy weeknights when time is of the essence, or for last-minute gatherings where you need a dish that looks and tastes impressive without hours in the kitchen. The straightforward steps and minimal effort required mean you can enjoy maximum flavor with minimal fuss, transforming ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.
- Remarkable Make-Ahead Convenience – Planning meals and entertaining often involves juggling multiple tasks. The beauty of these shrimp cakes lies in their make-ahead potential. You can prepare the entire shrimp mixture up to 24 hours in advance, shape the patties, and then simply chill them in the refrigerator. This allows ample time for the flavors to fully meld and deepen, resulting in an even more delicious final product. This convenience makes the recipe a fantastic go-to for effortless meal planning throughout the week or for stress-free entertaining when you want to get a head start on your culinary creations.
Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Shrimp Cakes & Avocado Salsa
For detailed measurements and the FULL PRINTABLE recipe card, please scroll to the bottom of this post.
For the Flavorful Shrimp Cakes
- Shrimp – The foundation of our shrimp cakes. You can significantly reduce your prep time by purchasing shrimp that is already peeled, deveined, and has the tails removed from your local grocery store. This convenience is often worth the slightly higher cost, especially on busy days. Alternatively, to save money, you can perform this prep work yourself, which involves carefully peeling the outer shell, removing the dark vein along the back, and snipping off the tail. Aim for fresh shrimp if possible, as it generally offers superior flavor and texture compared to frozen, though high-quality frozen shrimp (thawed properly) will also work well.
- Garlic – Adds a pungent, aromatic base that complements seafood beautifully. Grating the garlic ensures it distributes evenly throughout the mixture.
- Green Onions – Provide a mild oniony flavor and a hint of freshness, contributing to the overall bright profile of the cakes.
- Mayo – Acts as a binder and adds richness and moisture to the patties. I highly recommend using reduced-fat mayonnaise. This not only keeps the shrimp cakes lighter and healthier but also prevents them from becoming overly greasy during cooking, ensuring a crisp exterior and tender interior.
- Lime Juice – A crucial ingredient that adds a bright, zesty acidity, cutting through the richness of the mayo and enhancing the natural sweetness of the shrimp. Freshly squeezed lime juice makes a noticeable difference.
- Hot Sauce – Provides a subtle, yet invigorating spicy kick. Adjust the amount to your personal preference – a little adds warmth, more adds bold heat.
- Sugar – Just a touch of sugar helps to balance the flavors, particularly the acidity from the lime and the heat from the hot sauce, bringing out the sweetness of the shrimp.
- Salt – Essential for seasoning and enhancing all the other flavors. Use fine sea salt or kosher salt for best results.
- Egg – Serves as a primary binder, helping all the ingredients cohere into firm patties that won’t fall apart during cooking.
- Cilantro – Fresh, chopped cilantro infuses the shrimp cakes with a vibrant, herbaceous aroma and flavor that perfectly suits seafood dishes.
- Panko Bread Crumbs – These Japanese-style breadcrumbs are superior for coating due to their flaky, airy texture. Panko creates an exceptionally crispy and light crust on the shrimp cakes, much preferred over denser, standard breadcrumbs.
For the Refreshing Avocado Salsa
- Corn – Sweet corn adds a delightful pop of flavor and texture to the salsa. For ultimate convenience and speed, simply thaw frozen corn kernels. If fresh corn is in season, cutting it right off the cob will elevate the freshness even further.
- Avocado – The star of the salsa! Creamy, buttery avocado provides a wonderful contrast to the other ingredients and a satisfying texture. Ensure your avocado is ripe but still firm enough to dice without turning mushy.
- Cilantro – Fresh cilantro is indispensable here, bringing its signature bright, peppery, and citrusy notes to the avocado salsa.
- Red Onion – Finely diced red onion offers a sharp, slightly sweet, and pungent crunch that complements the creamy avocado beautifully. Its vibrant color also adds to the salsa’s visual appeal.
- Jalapeño – For those who enjoy a little heat, fresh jalapeño is perfect. Remember, most of the capsaicin (the heat compound) resides in the seeds and white membranes. Remove the seeds and membranes entirely for a very mild salsa, or leave some in to increase the spice level according to your taste.
- Lime Juice – Crucial for the salsa, lime juice brightens all the flavors, adds a necessary tang, and helps prevent the avocado from browning too quickly.
- Salt – Seasons the salsa, balancing and enhancing the individual flavors of the corn, avocado, and other fresh ingredients.
Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Delicious Shrimp Cakes
Making these shrimp cakes is a straightforward process, but paying attention to each step ensures the best results. Follow these instructions carefully for perfectly cooked, flavorful patties and a vibrant salsa.
- Prepare the Shrimp Mixture. Begin by finely chopping the peeled, deveined, and tail-removed shrimp in a food processor. Pulse in short bursts, about 10-15 times, until the shrimp is finely chopped but still has some texture – avoid over-processing it into a paste, as this will affect the texture of your cakes. Transfer the chopped shrimp to a large mixing bowl. To this, add the grated garlic, thinly sliced green onions, reduced-fat mayonnaise, fresh lime juice, hot sauce (adjust to taste), a pinch of sugar, salt, the whisked egg, and fresh chopped cilantro. Mix all these ingredients thoroughly until they are well combined, ensuring an even distribution of flavors throughout the mixture. Finally, gently fold in ¼ cup of panko breadcrumbs; this helps bind the mixture and provides a bit of structure.
- Shape the Patties. Once your shrimp mixture is ready, it’s time to form the cakes. Divide the mixture into 10 equal portions. Using your hands, gently shape each portion into a patty, about ½ inch thick and roughly 2-3 inches in diameter. The mixture will be quite sticky at this stage, but the chilling step will help.
- Coat and Chill Patties. Take the remaining panko breadcrumbs (½ cup) and spread them out on a shallow plate or baking sheet. Carefully coat both sides of each shaped shrimp cake with the panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere. This outer layer of panko is what will give your cakes their desirable crispy crust. Once coated, arrange the patties on a plate or baking sheet lined with parchment paper and refrigerate them for at least one hour. This chilling period is absolutely crucial; it allows the ingredients to meld and the patties to firm up, preventing them from falling apart when you cook them. You can even prepare them up to 24 hours in advance, making this recipe perfect for meal prep or entertaining.
- Make the Avocado Salsa. While the shrimp cakes are chilling, prepare your vibrant avocado salsa. In a medium bowl, combine the thawed corn kernels, diced ripe avocado, fresh chopped cilantro, finely diced red onion, finely chopped jalapeño (remember to adjust the amount and seed removal based on your spice preference), fresh lime juice, and a pinch of salt. Stir all these ingredients gently until they are well combined. It’s best to prepare the salsa just before serving to maintain the avocado’s fresh green color and prevent it from browning.
- Cook the Shrimp Cakes. When you’re ready to cook, heat a large non-stick skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Add a generous drizzle of olive oil, just enough to coat the bottom of the pan. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, carefully place the chilled shrimp cakes into the skillet, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan (you may need to cook them in batches). Cook the shrimp cakes for approximately 4 minutes per side, or until they are beautifully golden brown and the shrimp is cooked through and opaque.
- Serve Immediately. As soon as the shrimp cakes are cooked, transfer them to serving plates. Generously top each warm shrimp cake with a spoonful (or two!) of the freshly prepared corn and avocado salsa. Serve these delectable seafood appetizers immediately to enjoy them at their best, allowing the warm, crispy cakes to mingle with the cool, zesty salsa.
Expert Tips & Tricks for Perfect Shrimp Cakes
- Prioritize Fresh Shrimp. For an unparalleled taste and texture in your shrimp cakes, always opt for fresh shrimp over frozen if possible. Fresh shrimp tends to have a firmer texture and a more pronounced, sweet flavor that truly elevates the dish. If using frozen, ensure it is completely thawed and patted very dry before processing, as excess moisture can make the mixture watery and difficult to bind.
- Pulse Shrimp with Care. When using a food processor to chop the shrimp, precision is key. Pulse the shrimp in short bursts, carefully observing its consistency. The goal is small, finely chopped pieces that still retain some texture, not a smooth paste. Over-processing will result in mushy shrimp cakes that lack bite and can become dense.
- Crucial Chilling for Patties. This step is non-negotiable! Allowing the shaped shrimp patties to chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour (and ideally longer) is vital. This time allows the binders (egg, mayo, panko) to fully activate and the fats to firm up, creating stable patties. Skipping this step will almost certainly lead to your shrimp cakes disintegrating in the pan when cooked, turning a delicious meal into a frustrating mess.
- Prepare Salsa Freshly. To showcase the vibrant colors and fresh flavors of your avocado salsa, it’s best to prepare it just before serving. Avocado is prone to oxidation, which causes it to brown quickly when exposed to air. The lime juice in the recipe helps slow this process, but making it fresh ensures optimal taste and visual appeal.
- Customize the Spice Level. This recipe offers flexibility to suit all palates. Feel free to adjust the amount of hot sauce in the shrimp cakes and the jalapeño in the salsa to match your preferred level of spice. For less heat, reduce or omit the hot sauce and remove all seeds and membranes from the jalapeño. For more heat, add extra hot sauce or leave some jalapeño seeds in.
- Leverage Make-Ahead Potential. Capitalize on the convenience of this recipe by preparing the shrimp mixture and shaping the patties ahead of time. You can store the uncooked, breaded patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. This strategic meal prep allows for quick cooking when you’re ready to eat, making dinner or entertaining a breeze.
- Optimal Cooking Temperature. When frying, ensure your oil is heated to medium-high. If the oil isn’t hot enough, the cakes will absorb too much oil and become greasy. If it’s too hot, the exterior will burn before the interior is fully cooked. A medium-high heat allows for a golden, crispy crust and thoroughly cooked shrimp inside.
Any remaining shrimp cakes should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will remain fresh and delicious for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or oven for best results. The avocado salsa is best when enjoyed fresh due to the avocado browning. However, if you have leftovers, store it separately in an airtight container with a piece of plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface of the salsa to minimize air exposure. It can be stored this way for up to 1 day, though some browning might still occur.
While panko breadcrumbs are highly recommended for their light and extra-crispy texture, you can certainly use regular fine breadcrumbs or even finely crushed crackers as a substitute for coating the shrimp cakes. Keep in mind that regular breadcrumbs may result in a slightly denser or less crispy crust compared to panko, but the flavor will still be excellent.
Absolutely! While pan-frying provides a beautifully crispy texture, you can opt for healthier cooking methods. To bake, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the shrimp cakes on a lightly oiled baking sheet and bake for about 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through. For air frying, preheat your air fryer to 370°F (188°C). Place the cakes in a single layer in the air fryer basket (working in batches if necessary) and cook for approximately 10 minutes, flipping halfway through. Regardless of the cooking method, always ensure the shrimp cakes are thoroughly cooked and reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) before serving.
Explore More Delicious Appetizer Recipes
If you’ve enjoyed these shrimp cakes, you’ll love exploring other fantastic appetizers from our collection. Perfect for entertaining or simply enjoying a variety of flavors, these recipes are sure to delight:
- Baked Goat Cheese Dip: A warm, creamy, and herbaceous dip that’s perfect with crusty bread.
- Cheesy Sausage Wonton Cups: Bite-sized, savory, and incredibly easy to make.
- How to Make a Charcuterie Board: Master the art of creating an impressive spread.
- Cream Cheese Sausage Balls: A classic comfort food appetizer that’s always a hit.
- Philly Cheesesteak Sliders: All the flavor of a cheesesteak in a convenient slider form.
- Bacon Cheeseburger Dip: A hearty, cheesy, and utterly addictive dip for any gathering.
Shrimp Cakes with Corn & Avocado Salsa
Equipment
- Food Processor
- Large Non-Stick Skillet or Cast Iron Pan
Ingredients
Cakes
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails removed
- 1 garlic clove, grated
- 1/4 thinly sliced green onions
- 3 Tablespoons reduced-fat mayo
- 1 Tablespoon lime juice
- 1 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 whole large egg
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 3/4 cup panko bread crumbs
Avocado Salsa:
- 1 cup frozen corn, thawed
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 3 Tablespoons diced red onion
- 1/2 jalapeno, finely chopped
- 1 Tablespoon lime juice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- To make the shrimp cakes, place the peeled, deveined, and tail-removed shrimp into a food processor. Pulse about 10-15 times until the shrimp is finely chopped but still retains some texture, avoiding over-processing into a paste.
- Transfer the chopped shrimp to a medium-sized bowl. Add the grated garlic, thinly sliced green onions, reduced-fat mayonnaise, fresh lime juice, hot sauce (adjust to your heat preference), sugar, salt, and the whisked egg. Mix all ingredients thoroughly until well combined. Gently stir in the ¼ cup of panko breadcrumbs and the chopped cilantro.
- Divide the shrimp mixture into 10 equal portions. Shape each portion into a patty, approximately ½ inch thick and about 2-3 inches in diameter.
- Spread the remaining ½ cup of panko breadcrumbs on a shallow plate. Carefully coat both sides of each shaped shrimp cake with the breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure they adhere. The shrimp mixture will be quite sticky at this stage.
- Arrange the breaded shrimp cakes on a plate or baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Refrigerate for at least one hour to allow them to firm up. This crucial step prevents them from falling apart during cooking. You can prepare them up to 24 hours in advance.
- To prepare the avocado salsa, combine the thawed corn, diced avocado, fresh cilantro, diced red onion, finely chopped jalapeño, lime juice, and salt in a medium bowl. Stir gently until all ingredients are well mixed. For the freshest taste and appearance, prepare the salsa just before serving.
- Heat a large non-stick skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Add a thin layer of olive oil to coat the bottom of the pan. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, carefully place the chilled shrimp cakes into the pan, making sure not to overcrowd it. Cook for approximately 4 minutes per side, or until they are beautifully browned and the shrimp is fully cooked through and opaque.
- Remove the cooked shrimp cakes from the pan and plate them immediately. Generously top each warm shrimp cake with a spoonful of the fresh corn and avocado salsa. Serve at once and enjoy this delightful seafood dish!
Notes
For an extra burst of freshness, consider adding a squeeze of fresh lime juice over the finished shrimp cakes just before serving.
If you prefer a milder flavor, you can omit the hot sauce from the shrimp cakes or reduce the amount of jalapeño in the salsa.
Nutrition Information (Estimated)
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Information
I’ve created a fantastic community on Facebook, and I’d be absolutely thrilled for you to join us! It’s a vibrant space where you can share YOUR favorite culinary creations, ask cooking questions, and stay updated on all the exciting new recipes from Dinners, Dishes and Desserts (ensuring you never miss a new post)!
Make sure to follow me on Instagram and tag #dinnersdishes so I can see all the wonderful DINNERS, DISHES, AND DESSERTS recipes YOU bring to life!
Stay connected and follow me on my social media channels, so you never miss out on new recipes, tips, and delicious content!
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram
.