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Best Shrimp Cakes Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 192 reviews

Best Shrimp Cakes are golden-fried patties combining tender fresh shrimp, Greek feta cheese, and herbs into a classic Mediterranean delight. This recipe highlights the delicate sweetness of shrimp enhanced with oregano, lemon zest, and garlic, balanced by crispy panko breadcrumbs and a rich olive oil crust. With authentic Greek flavor and texture perfected over decades, these shrimp cakes deliver a moist, flavorful interior contrasted by a beautifully crunchy exterior, making them perfect for appetizers or main dishes.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1.5 pounds fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined (wild-caught preferred or frozen thawed; avoid pre-cooked)
  • ½ cup Greek feta cheese, crumbled (quality feta essential; alternatives: ricotta salata or aged halloumi)
  • ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs (traditional Greek κουκουνάρι breadcrumbs preferred)
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (2 tbsp in mixture, 1 tbsp for hands; Greek Koroneiki oil recommended)
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped (Italian flat-leaf preferred; dill as alternative)
  • 1½ teaspoons dried oregano, crushed (Greek oregano preferred)
  • 2 teaspoons lemon zest, finely minced (Meyer lemon for sweeter note)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced (fresh only)
  • ¾ teaspoon sea salt (Greek sea salt preferred)
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 cups vegetable oil for frying (canola or light olive oil; avoid butter or saturated fats)

Instructions

  1. Pulse shrimp: Using a food processor, pulse the shrimp about 15 times until coarsely chopped, ensuring you maintain small chunks rather than a paste consistency.
  2. Mix ingredients: Transfer chopped shrimp to a large bowl, add crumbled feta, panko breadcrumbs, and chopped parsley. Create a shallow well in the center.
  3. Add binders and seasoning: Crack the eggs into the well, then add 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, lemon zest, dried oregano, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
  4. Combine gently: Fold the mixture over itself about 20 times using hands or a spoon just until cohesive; avoid overworking to prevent tough texture.
  5. Form patties: Divide mixture into 12 equal portions, roll each into tight balls between palms, then flatten each into patties approximately 0.75 inch thick and 2.5 inches diameter.
  6. Chill patties: Place patties on parchment-lined baking sheet and refrigerate uncovered for at least 30 minutes, up to 4 hours, to set binder and develop flavor.
  7. Heat oil: In a large heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven, heat 2 cups vegetable oil to exactly 350°F using an instant-read thermometer for accuracy.
  8. Fry cakes in batches: Place 4 patties into hot oil, spaced apart, and fry without moving for 3 minutes to form golden crust on one side.
  9. Flip and fry: Gently turn each cake and cook an additional 2-3 minutes until deep golden brown and cooked through.
  10. Drain oil: Transfer fried cakes to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil completely.
  11. Repeat frying: Continue frying remaining patties in batches, maintaining oil temperature at 350°F.
  12. Serve: Arrange warm shrimp cakes on a platter garnished with fresh lemon slices and oregano sprigs. Serve immediately for optimal crispness and tenderness.

Notes

  • Use fresh or properly thawed shrimp; avoid pre-cooked shrimp for best texture.
  • Chilling patties before frying is essential for structural integrity and better crust.
  • Maintain precise oil temperature of 350°F to avoid greasy or burnt cakes.
  • Handle mixture gently to avoid rubbery texture caused by overmixing.
  • Use panko breadcrumbs for superior crunch over traditional breadcrumbs.
  • Keep cooked cakes warm on a wire rack in a 200°F oven to preserve crispness.
  • Squeeze fresh lemon juice over cakes before serving to enhance brightness.
  • Can freeze uncooked formed patties up to one week; cook from frozen adding cooking time.

Keywords: shrimp cakes, Greek shrimp patties, Mediterranean seafood appetizer, fried shrimp cakes, panko shrimp cakes, feta shrimp cakes

Find it online: https://tastybella.com/best-shrimp-cakes-recipe/