Korean-Style Crispy Shrimp Burgers Recipe

Prepare to meet your new favorite comfort food: Korean-Style Crispy Shrimp Burgers! Imagine plump, tender shrimp patties fried to absolute golden perfection, tucked into a pillowy bun, and draped with a zingy gochujang sauce and crisp veggies. These burgers are a crave-worthy twist on the classic, fusing sweet, spicy, and tangy Korean flavors with an irresistibly crunchy texture. Whether you’re cooking for family or treating your friends to something special, Korean-Style Crispy Shrimp Burgers are destined to become a repeat request at your table.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient here pulls its weight, from giving the patty that succulent bounce to delivering a punchy sauce and fresh crunch. Gather these simple essentials and you’ll be on your way to burger bliss.

• Shrimp (peeled and deveined): The heart of your burger—use fresh or thawed raw shrimp for the juiciest, most flavorful patties.
• Panko breadcrumbs: These Japanese-style flakes turn the outside golden and crunchy, making every bite truly crispy.
• Egg: Helps bind everything together for patties that hold their shape and stay tender.
• Scallions (finely chopped): Brings a fresh, mild onion kick that wakes up all the flavors.
• Garlic (minced): A little goes a long way for rich, savory undertones in every bite.
• Soy sauce: Adds savory depth to the shrimp mixture—just a splash hits the spot.
• Sriracha or gochujang: For bold Korean heat in your patty and sauce—you choose your spice level!
• Mayonnaise: Essential for a creamy, luscious gochujang burger sauce.
• Lettuce leaves: Crunchy and refreshing, they balance the rich shrimp and sauce.
• Cucumber (thinly sliced): Adds crisp, cool crunch right in your burger stack.
• Burger buns: Go for soft, bakery-style buns—they absorb the sauce without falling apart.
• Oil for frying: Choose a neutral oil like canola or vegetable for crisp results and clean flavor.
• Salt & pepper: Never underestimate how essential these basics are for bringing all the flavors forward.

How to Make Korean-Style Crispy Shrimp Burgers

Step 1: Prepare the Shrimp Patty Mixture

Start by finely chopping your shrimp—in about two minutes with a sharp knife, you’ll have the perfect blend of chunks and paste for a springy patty. In a mixing bowl, combine the chopped shrimp with scallions, garlic, soy sauce, a spoonful of sriracha or gochujang, an egg, and just enough breadcrumbs to bind. Season generously with salt and pepper, then stir everything together until the mixture just holds its shape. Don’t overmix; you want texture, not mush!

Step 2: Shape and Coat the Patties

Scoop up the shrimp mixture and gently form it into burger-sized patties with damp hands—about a half-inch thick works best. Next, coat each patty in extra panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently so they adhere and will fry up impossibly crisp. Transfer the patties to a plate and refrigerate for about 15 minutes; this helps them firm up so they won’t fall apart when frying.

Step 3: Fry the Shrimp Patties

Heat a generous layer of oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil shimmers, carefully add your chilled patties. Don’t crowd the pan; work in batches if needed. Fry on each side for 3–4 minutes, until gorgeously golden and cooked through. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and sprinkle with just a touch more salt while they’re hot.

Step 4: Make the Gochujang Burger Sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, gochujang, a squeeze of lime or lemon, and a dash of soy sauce for savory depth. Taste and adjust the spice to your liking; it can be as punchy (or mild) as you want. This creamy, tangy kick perfectly complements the crispy shrimp!

Step 5: Assemble Your Korean-Style Crispy Shrimp Burgers

Now the fun part! Lightly toast your burger buns for structure and warmth. Spread a generous layer of gochujang mayo on both tops and bottoms. Place a bed of crisp lettuce on the bottom bun, followed by your piping-hot shrimp patty, a pile of cucumber slices, and an extra drizzle of sauce. Crown with the top bun and get ready for a flavor explosion.

How to Serve Korean-Style Crispy Shrimp Burgers

Garnishes

Give your Korean-Style Crispy Shrimp Burgers the finishing touch they deserve! Sprinkle with thinly sliced scallions, toasted sesame seeds, or even a dash of chili flakes for stunning color and texture. Fresh cilantro or a squeeze of lime also adds a zippy brightness that cuts through the richness beautifully.

Side Dishes

Serve these burgers alongside crisp sweet potato fries, tangy Asian slaw, or even a pile of pickled daikon and carrots. For a real Korean feast, try serving with kimchi or quick pickled cucumbers to echo the burger’s flavors and cleanse the palate between bites.

Creative Ways to Present

Cut your Korean-Style Crispy Shrimp Burgers into sliders for a fun party platter or stack them open-face on toasted brioche with a handful of microgreens for a lighter, fork-and-knife presentation. You can even serve the patties atop a rice bowl drizzled with sauce and piled with veggies for a playful twist—kids and adults alike will go wild!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with extra cooked patties, let them cool completely before storing in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll keep their flavor and texture for up to two days, making them perfect for quick lunches or next-day snacking.

Freezing

For longer storage, freeze uncooked shrimp patties on a sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag—the layers of panko keep them from sticking. When you’re ready, fry from frozen (add a minute or so to the cooking time) and enjoy just-like-fresh Korean-Style Crispy Shrimp Burgers any night of the week.

Reheating

To bring your patties back to life, reheat them in a hot oven or air fryer for maximum crunch. Avoid microwaving if possible as it can make the exterior soggy; a quick bake at 350°F until heated through does the trick every time.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp for the patties?

Absolutely! Just make sure the shrimp are fully thawed and patted dry before chopping. This prevents excess moisture from seeping into the mixture and keeps your patties perfectly crisp.

Is there a gluten-free option for these burgers?

Yes! Swap out regular panko breadcrumbs for a gluten-free version and use gluten-free buns. Double-check your soy sauce, too—tamari or coconut aminos work wonderfully as substitutes.

Can I bake the shrimp patties instead of frying?

You can—though you might lose a bit of that signature crunch! Place patties on a greased baking sheet, spritz lightly with oil, and bake at 425°F for about 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway until golden and cooked through.

What else can I use in place of gochujang?

If you don’t have gochujang, sriracha, sambal oelek, or even a touch of chili-garlic sauce mixed with a hint of honey will give you that spicy-sweet edge that makes Korean-Style Crispy Shrimp Burgers shine.

How can I make these burgers even spicier?

To dial up the heat, add more gochujang or sriracha to both the patty mixture and sauce, and sprinkle some fresh sliced jalapeños or extra chili flakes on top for good measure!

Final Thoughts

Korean-Style Crispy Shrimp Burgers are a labor of love that deliver big flavor payoffs—fresh, spicy, and utterly addictive. Whether you follow the recipe to the letter or put your own spin on it, your kitchen is sure to fill with happy chatter and satisfied smiles. Give them a try and let this burger become a new favorite in your regular dinner rotation!

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