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Home » Main Dishes » Seafood » Shrimp » Thai Shrimp Cakes

Thai Shrimp Cakes

August 18, 2014 by Kristi 58 Comments

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The Asian flavors in these Thai Shrimp Cakes, filled with big chunks of shrimp, sweetened coconut, fresh ginger, and a squeeze of lime, paired with a splash of Sriracha and chopped serranos, makes this the perfect summertime (can you say tropical?) dish!

Thai Shrimp Cakes | Inspiration KitchenI think you can never fully understand the importance of how a recipe is written until you’ve made it several times and mess it up, every single time.  Finally, you realize it’s the recipe, and not you.

That was the way it was for me and these Thai Shrimp Cakes.  It’s been a love/hate relationship from day one.  But their flavor profile had me from the 1st time I made them – and I’ve kept going back to re-try multiple times until I got them just right.  Have you ever been there?

I’m not going to lie. These are amazing.  But, they can be temperamental to cook.  Some of the best foods in life are, you know?

So, if you are a beginning cook… = please don’t start here.  🙂

Thai Shrimp Cakes | Inspiration KitchenAnd for the more seasoned chef?  Be ready to alternate between medium-high and medium heat to get the crisp just right without burning or over-cooking them.

Thai Shrimp Cakes | Inspiration KitchenBut, the good news is…, you no longer need to worry about how the recipe is written, because I’ve re-written it for a more ample portion size and for ease of reading.  And you, my dear reader, will not be subject to having to do math.

I know, right?  You’re welcome.  🙂

Thai Shrimp Cakes | Inspiration KitchenTrust me, I wouldn’t post this if we didn’t love it.  I’m telling you ~ we absolutely do love this recipe and make it several times over the course of summer because it’s light and filling, yet so flavorful.  Which is why I kept trying over and over again.  If there’s one thing I am ~ it’s persistent!

Even though these Thai Shrimp Cakes have Sriracha and chopped serrano peppers – they are not spicy (are you listening Lindsey?)!  All the flavors mellow out – especially with the sweetened coconut and tart lime.  You will love them ~ especially those of you that are spice-challenged.

Thai Shrimp Cakes | Inspiration Kitchen

FYI:  the patties when prepared (before breading them) will be quite wet ~ so refrigerate them before you saute them to help them stick together and behave themselves.

Here are a few tips:

  • After you thaw and rinse the shrimp, pat them dry before chopping them to remove excess water.
  • Refrigerating the patties (before adding the breading) will help them firm up so they don’t fall apart when cooking.
  • Adjust your cooking temperature between Medium-High and Medium as they cook to ensure they don’t over (or under!) cook
  • Use a spatula with a thin surface area, so they are easy to get under to turn them over

Enjoy!

Thai Shrimp Cakes | Inspiration Kitchen
Print Recipe

Thai Shrimp Cakes

Light, fresh and filling Thai Shrimp Cakes will remind you of the tropics with their flavorful ingredients with coconut and lime!
Course: Main
Servings: 8
Author: Kristi

Ingredients

Shrimp Cakes

  • 2/3 cup panko Japanese breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup minced sweetened dried coconut
  • 4 tablespoons minced green onions
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh Thai basil
  • 2 teaspoons chopped serrano peppers
  • 4 teaspoons fish sauce
  • 4 teaspoons Sriracha hot chile sauce
  • 2 teaspoons grated peeled fresh ginger
  • 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
  • 2 large eggs lightly beaten
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 pound 16 ounces peeled, deveined shrimp (tails removed), finely chopped

Breading

  • 2/3 cup panko Japanese breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup minced sweetened dried coconut

Prep

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil divided

Garnish

  • 2 limes quartered (optional)

Instructions

  • Combine the first 10 ingredients in a large bowl; add chopped shrimp and stir until just combined. Set aside.
  • Combine remaining panko and coconut in a shallow dish.
  • Using wet hands, shape shrimp mixture into 8 equal balls and flatten into patties. Place on a waxed paper covered baking sheet, and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to allow patties to firm up.
  • Remove patties from refrigerator and coat shrimp patties in panko/coconut mixture.
  • Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and swirl to coat. Add 4 shrimp patties and cook 3-4 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness. Remove from pan and allow to drain on paper towels. Repeat for the remaining 4 shrimp patties. Serve garnished with lime.

Recipe modified from Cooking Light @ Thai Shrimp Cakes.

Thai Shrimp Cakes

Filed Under: Main Dishes, Seafood, Shrimp Tagged With: asian flavors, burger, cake, cooking light, cooking light recipe, inspiration kitchen, patties, recipe, seafood, shrimp, shrimp burger, shrimp cakes, shrimp patties, thai

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Comments

  1. Melanie @ Carmel Moments says

    August 18, 2014 at 5:00 am

    These look delish Kristi! And I love the dishes. So pretty.
    Bet the whole family would love these!
    Happy Monday!

    Reply
    • Kristi says

      August 18, 2014 at 6:07 am

      Thanks Melanie – they are so good. Have a wonderful week & Happy Monday to you too!

      Reply
  2. Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking says

    August 18, 2014 at 7:55 am

    Listening! I think the flavors sound perfect!! I happen to have all these ingredients in my cupboard and fridge! I bought more shrimp several weeks ago in anticipation of you posting another delicious shrimp recipe I need to try / remake the spicy bbq shrimp!! Do you think it would work if I processed the shrimp in a food processor? I’m feeling ridiculously lazy. Pinned 🙂

    If only I had such pretty dishes t serve them on!! Gorgeous!

    Reply
    • Kristi says

      August 18, 2014 at 7:25 pm

      Yes! I definitely think it would work if you used a food processor. They would be smaller pieces and more likely to stay together. I love my shrimpys… they are SO easy and so fast and just make life better, you know? And darling – you KNOW I love you for the pin. Who am I kidding? I love you anyway! 🙂

      Reply
  3. marcie says

    August 18, 2014 at 8:00 am

    I’m loving your shrimp recipes, Kristi, and these cakes sound incredible — I love the tropical flavors and the spice! I’m not afraid of these babies — I need to try them ASAP!

    Reply
    • Kristi says

      August 18, 2014 at 7:26 pm

      Thanks Marcie! I am so hooked on these shrimp. How else can you put a tasty dinner on the table so fast? And, the tropical flavors? With summer leaving us – girl, we need to hang on to what we’ve got!!! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Shelley @ Two Healthy Kitchens says

    August 18, 2014 at 11:36 am

    Kristi, these look INSANELY good! Such a fantastic combination of flavors! I’m sooooo glad you kept fighting with this recipe to get it just right! (And that you saved us from some math – lol!) Great tips to make the prep easier, too! Off to pin, pin, pin … 😀

    Reply
    • Kristi says

      August 18, 2014 at 7:27 pm

      Thanks for the pin Shelley! Yes, this recipe has been in my list for a while – but boy, getting them just right was a challenge! I hope you love the flavors as much as we did! Cheers!

      Reply
  5. Josefine {The Smoothie Lover} says

    August 18, 2014 at 12:38 pm

    Shrimp cakes are SO delicious, so I’m kinda sad they are that hard to make 😉 I’ll definitely give them a try once, because thee look too good! Yum!

    Reply
    • Kristi says

      August 18, 2014 at 7:29 pm

      Josefine!!!!! I’m so glad you’re back! I’ve ssssoooo missed you, girl!! 🙂 I’m kinda not happy these shrimp cakes are hard to make either 🙂 but they are so tasty, they are worth it! Welcome back from vacation! Don’t leave us again – we miss you to much! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says

    August 18, 2014 at 1:23 pm

    Delicious looking shrimp cakes, might have to eat more than one. 😉

    Reply
    • Kristi says

      August 18, 2014 at 7:31 pm

      Thanks Pamela! Oh, I didn’t stop at just one either. It’s ok…one or a dozen, who’s counting. No judgement here! 🙂

      Reply
  7. Sarah@WholeandHeavenlyOven says

    August 18, 2014 at 5:54 pm

    These look amazing, Kristi! I ADORE thai food and I’m just picturing several of these gorgeous cakes over a bed of rice for my dinner tonight. 😀

    Reply
    • Kristi says

      August 18, 2014 at 7:32 pm

      Thanks Sarah! I’m so glad you like it. I love Thai flavors too – and if you’re making these for dinner, place another setting, because girl I am coming over!!! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Thalia @ butter and brioche says

    August 18, 2014 at 7:05 pm

    i make a mean thai fish cake but i have never tried making a shrimp cake before. definitely will be giving this recipe a go, thanks kristi!

    Reply
    • Kristi says

      August 18, 2014 at 7:33 pm

      Gahhhhh!!! Thalia – did you share your Thai Fish Cake recipe on your site? Because girl, I need a link! I want to try it!!! And, thanks for the compliments, but I want to try yours now! 🙂

      Reply
  9. Kelly says

    August 18, 2014 at 8:58 pm

    Oh Kristi, these look absolutely mouthwatering! I love love love these Thai shrimp cakes and thank you for testing out the recipe so many times for us 🙂 The flavors sound amazing and I am definitely not afraid of any spice and am actually drooling just thinking about these! Mmm…can’t wait to try these girl, pinning 🙂

    Reply
    • Kristi says

      August 19, 2014 at 4:15 am

      Thanks for the pin Kelly! You will absolutely love the blend of flavors – they are so good. Even though they’re tough to make, they are so worth it. Have a beautiful day!

      Reply
  10. Monica says

    August 19, 2014 at 3:33 am

    Love your shrimp recipes . These shrimp cakes look as amazing as they sound. I love shrimp every which way but I’m intimidated by the very idea of shrimp cakes. I appreciate your honesty and tweaks to the recipe to make it easier. I swear, I could taste that crunch of the crust and the sweet spice within from your pictures. You make it look worth the challenge!

    Reply
    • Kristi says

      August 19, 2014 at 4:16 am

      Hahahaha! Thanks Monica – that’s such a beautiful comment – I love that you could taste the crunch of the crust and the sweet spices. That totally made my day! Have a beautiful week!

      Reply
  11. Cheryl says

    August 19, 2014 at 7:33 am

    Mmmm, these look (and sound!) positively delicious. Reading the list of main ingredients alone makes my stomach rumble!

    Reply
    • Kristi says

      August 19, 2014 at 7:06 pm

      Thanks Cheryl – it really is a delicious recipe – the flavors are spot on!

      Reply
  12. Annie @Maebells says

    August 19, 2014 at 8:16 am

    This look seriously amazing! I am loving the flavors you used! Delish!

    Reply
    • Kristi says

      August 19, 2014 at 7:06 pm

      Thanks Annie! They really do blend beautifully together!

      Reply
  13. Juliana says

    August 19, 2014 at 1:32 pm

    These shrimp cake look delicious Kristi…I love the panko with the the coconut…what a yummy recipe.
    Thanks for sharing it!
    Have a lovely week 😀

    Reply
    • Kristi says

      August 19, 2014 at 7:07 pm

      Thanks Juliana! The coconut so makes it! I’m glad you like it!

      Reply
  14. Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says

    August 19, 2014 at 4:30 pm

    Kristi thank YOU for rewriting this recipe because they sound incredible! We absolutely love seafood in this household and I’d imagine this would be a most requested list 😀

    Reply
    • Kristi says

      August 19, 2014 at 7:07 pm

      Thanks Lorraine! They are really good and we love seafood too!!!

      Reply
  15. Ruby @ The Ruby Red Apron says

    August 19, 2014 at 8:04 pm

    These shrimp cakes look amazing. They look so perfectly crisp! I love that there’s coconut and lime with the sriracha… mmm I’m drooling!

    Reply
    • Kristi says

      August 20, 2014 at 4:21 am

      Thanks Ruby – they do have a great crisp on them – and you’re right – the coconut, lime and sriracha really add something!

      Reply
  16. Elizabeth @ SugarHero.com says

    August 19, 2014 at 10:36 pm

    Oh my goodness, these sound amazing. I am such a sucker for shrimp cakes and am always on the lookout for a new recipe. Pinned and drooling!

    Reply
    • Kristi says

      August 20, 2014 at 4:22 am

      Thanks for the pin Elizabeth! I love shrimp too – and we’ve made these several times. Even though they’re tempermental to make, they’re worth it!

      Reply
  17. Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says

    August 20, 2014 at 6:09 am

    Thai flavors really are the best aren’t they? Definitely trying these babies.

    Reply
    • Kristi says

      August 20, 2014 at 6:42 pm

      Yes! They are the best Ashley – I just love this combination! I can’t wait to hear what you think!

      Reply
  18. Cailee @ http://hellohealthyeating.com says

    August 20, 2014 at 1:59 pm

    Wow!! These look so pretty and delicious!! LOVELY recipe!! That plate is so beautiful as well…hahah great recipe!

    Reply
    • Kristi says

      August 20, 2014 at 6:43 pm

      Thanks Cailee! I think if you try it, you will love it – such a great flavor combo. And, thanks for the compliments on the plates! 🙂 Have a beautiful week!

      Reply
  19. Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong says

    August 20, 2014 at 4:24 pm

    I am total seafood lover.. I absolutely love this shrimp cake recipe!! Looks incredible. . Can’t wait to give it a try! ! 🙂

    Reply
    • Kristi says

      August 20, 2014 at 6:44 pm

      Ooooooooo me toooooo Arpita! Seafood is my friend and shrimp especially because they are so easy! I’m glad you love it and I hope you get a chance to try it! Have a beautiful week!

      Reply
  20. Monet says

    August 20, 2014 at 7:43 pm

    We had a hard time with corn fritters a few weeks ago. They were delicious but temperamental! Looks like they have good company with these cakes!

    Reply
    • Kristi says

      August 21, 2014 at 3:38 am

      Isn’t that the worst Monet? When you’re trying to make something lovely and it’s just not cooperating! I so hope your Corn Fritters worked out like these Thai Shrimp Cakes!

      Reply
  21. Alyssa @ My Sequined Life says

    August 20, 2014 at 7:48 pm

    Oooh – YUM. These cakes would be the perfect thing for dinner around here. I bet the coconut adds such a great flavor to them! Pinning! 🙂

    Reply
    • Kristi says

      August 21, 2014 at 3:39 am

      Thanks for the pin Alyssa! Yes, the coconut & lime take these over the top! Have a great day!

      Reply
  22. Consuelo - Honey & Figs says

    August 21, 2014 at 8:14 am

    Yay I’m so happy you got to make the recipe perfect in the end! These cakes do look fabulous and I’m sure both the texture and the flavor are unreal 🙂 Loooove these!

    Reply
    • Kristi says

      August 21, 2014 at 7:14 pm

      YESSSSS, girl!!! Amen! Right? The texture and flavor combo were out of this world. Consuelo, you’d LOVE them!

      Reply
  23. ananda says

    August 21, 2014 at 7:47 pm

    i seriously need to make 100 of these and freeze them – they’d be the perfect snack! thank you for the recipe that combines so many of my fav! =)

    Reply
    • Kristi says

      August 21, 2014 at 8:11 pm

      I’m so glad you love them! Can you hear my heart singing at your compliment? Because I am!

      Reply
  24. Sarah @ SnixyKitchen says

    August 22, 2014 at 9:45 pm

    These look awesome! I totally hear you on the temperamental recipes – I think this one looks like it’s worth the extra effort, for sure!

    Reply
    • Kristi says

      August 23, 2014 at 4:20 am

      Thanks Sarah. Some recipes are just so worth it! 🙂 Have a great weekend!

      Reply
  25. Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says

    August 23, 2014 at 5:56 pm

    Love the blue plates and I love shrimp cakes – the flavors sound wonderful.

    Reply
    • Kristi says

      August 24, 2014 at 12:06 am

      Thanks Christin.

      Reply
  26. Samina | The Cupcake Confession says

    August 29, 2014 at 4:01 am

    Woooowie Kristi, I am LOVING these shrimp cakes!!!!!! I love love LAAAAAAVE the fact that you always take the heat up a notch!!!!!! It’s my favorite way of eating anything savory so this is just PERFFFECT! Also loving those tips that you’ve compiled to make the cakes crisp! Mine somehow end up getting soggy and now I know why, thanks to you!! 🙂

    Reply
    • Kristi says

      August 29, 2014 at 5:51 am

      Thanks Samina. I’ve made these cakes so many times – and I love them, but they are temperamental. I’m so glad you found the tips helpful!

      Reply
  27. sue|theviewfromgreatisland says

    February 21, 2015 at 9:22 am

    I adore fish cakes of all kinds, but I think shrimp are the most elegant — love the colors in your photos!

    Reply
    • Kristi says

      February 22, 2015 at 1:07 am

      Thanks Sue! I love fish cakes too! I don’t make them often enough, but every time I do, I remember how much I love them!

      Reply
  28. Yankee Kitchen Ninja (Julianne) says

    February 21, 2015 at 10:20 am

    Seems like just the right recipe for bringing tropical thoughts to a dreary winter’s night!

    Reply
    • Kristi says

      February 22, 2015 at 1:08 am

      You’re so right Julianne! Its so strange to think many parts of the country are having bad weather right now – especially when our weather is so gorgeous!

      Reply
  29. Nicole @ Or Whatever You Do says

    February 21, 2015 at 11:30 am

    Some of my favorite recipes are pretty finicky. Its like the recipe lottery. Will it work this time? Won’t it? Makes the times it turns out JUST right that much better!!

    Reply
    • Kristi says

      February 22, 2015 at 1:09 am

      I am so with you Nicole! OMG…how many times has that happened to me? Have you ever seen my kitchen disaster posts? YIKES! It happens all the time! LOL

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Kristi. If you're here because you love food like I do, you're in for a treat! I want to entertain, inspire & encourage you to take risks in the kitchen. Come join me! Learn More →

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