When our family goes on vacation in North Carolina we rarely eat out, choosing instead to by local seafood and cook it ourselves. But, one year I had this Shrimp Burger from a local restaurant called Provision Company. They have a pretty nice menu of fresh seafood and I was at a loss on what to order.
A friend quickly said, “Just get the shrimp burger.”
Really? A shrimp burger? Sounds fishy…
But it turned out to be a great choice. The burger was super tender and had large chunks of fresh shrimp in it. I did some research as soon as I got home and this Shrimp Burger Recipe is an almost spot-on reproduction of the Provisions and Co shrimp burger!
Preparing the Shrimp
It doesn’t really matter what size of shrimp you use for this shrimp burger recipe. You can even buy the shrimp that have already been shelled and cleaned. You do need RAW shrimp though. It won’t work with pre-cooked shrimp. Personally, I like to do that myself just to save a few bucks.
When you have your shrimp cleaned, divide them in half. You want to roughly chop about half a pound of the shrimp which will be folded into the burgers later. The other half will be pureed into a paste with all this stuff!
Making the Shrimp Burger Mixture
I think it would be possible to make this without a food processor, but a processor makes it really easy.
Just pulse the bread a few times to make crumbs and then add the shrimp and other ingredients and pulse it until the mixture is in a rough paste.
Scoop that out into a bowl and fold in the chopped shrimp. This is the trick to having nice chunks of shrimp in the burger but also a smooth texture that sticks together.
The tricky part now is to decide if you need or want to add breadcrumbs. You might need to if the mixture is really loose, but you’ll just have to judge it by feel.
I added a few small handfuls of breadcrumbs to my shrimp burger recipe mixture (about 1/3 cup maybe) and that was just enough to get the mixture to stick together.
Then I formed my burger mixture into three large balls. You could cook these immediately at this point or chill them for later.
Cooking the Shrimp Burgers
The sauce for these burgers is super important. Don’t skimp on it. It’s an easy sauce to stir together but all the pieces are important (capers, lemon, etc.)
When you’re ready to eat smear a toasted bun with a good amount of the sauce and prepare your veggies.
I think it would be near impossible to grill these burgers. They are too loose. Instead, add a drizzle of oil to a skillet and then heat it over medium heat. You don’t want the pan too hot or the outside of the burger will just burn and you want to cook these through obviously.
Add a burger and use a spatula to press it down into a patty. These burgers will need to cook for 4-5 minutes per side.
Serve the hot patty on the bun with more sauce.
It should be a messy burger and it’s almost impossible to put on too much sauce!
Living in a land-locked state, this is a great way to get some seafood flavors going. It was a great burger and I was surprised how easy it was to reproduce at home!
This shrimp burger recipe is a thing. A very good thing!
Homemade Shrimp Burgers
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 slice white sandwich bread
- 1 pound raw shrimp
- 1 large egg white
- ¼ white onion
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay
- Pinch of salt and pepper
- ⅓ cup breadcrumbs, opt.
- Neutral oil, for cooking
Burger Tartar Sauce:
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt
- 1 lemon, juice only
- 2 teaspoons capers, chopped
- 1 teaspoon horseradish
- 1 teaspoon fresh parsley
- Buns
- Tomatoes
- Red onion
- Lettuce
Instructions
- For sauce, mince capers and parsley and whisk together with other ingredients. Feel free to taste and adjust seasoning to your liking.
- To start burgers, peel shrimp and devein with a paring knife or buy peeled and cleaned shrimp. Take about half of the shrimp and roughly chop it and set aside. This will be the texture in the burgers later.
- In a food processor, pulse the piece of bread until it is in tiny pieces. Then add the rest of the shrimp, the egg white, the onion, the parsley and the spices and pulse a few times until it’s in a rough paste.
- Transfer shrimp paste to a bowl and fold in chopped shrimp. If the mixture is really wet, add breadcrumbs. You may or may not need them.
- When mixture is formable, but still pretty wet, divide it into three even balls. You can either cook these immediately or store them in the fridge for later.
- When you want to cook a burger, add a drizzle of neutral oil to a skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering hot, add a burger ball and press it down a bit to form a patty in the pan.
- Let the burgers cook for about 4-5 minutes per side.
- Once burgers are cooked through completely, serve them on a toasted bun with a smear of tartar sauce and veggies on the side.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?
Storage and Reheating
These shrimp burgers keep well in the fridge for 3-4 days once they are cooked. Reheat them gently in a skillet over low heat. I wouldn’t microwave them as they will lose their juiciness and get really chewy. Once these are cooked, you can freeze them if you seal them well in airtight freezer bags. Thaw them before reheating them on the stove.
Here are some other great recipes to try!
Has anyone ever had one of these before? Leave a comment!
Corky
Whenever I go to the beach which inevitably involves eating out, my quest is to find the best shrimp burger. Your recipe looks like it is a winner. Going to try this next weekend. Thank you.
Scott
We live in coastal SC and have lots of great shrimp burger recipes. One little twist we particularly enjoy is the addition of a fried green tomato slice.
Can’t wait to try this recipe. Thanks, Nick!
Nick
Oh that sounds like a killer addition. Tough to find good green tomatoes in my neck of the woods but yes. Sounds awesome!
Helene Lopes
My daughter has a friend who has a shrimp boat and they are in shrimp season, guess what’s on the menu this week! And I like the addition of a fried green tomato, very southern.
Allyson
Yum. I am putting this on the meal plan list! Loved watching you on a Food Fighters. You worked so well under the pressure…I would’ve CRACKED. Congrats on the winnings…best of luck with the house and props on helping your sister. I have two nieces and a nephew…I’d do anything for them and my sister :)
Nick
Thanks Allyson! It was stressful but also super fun. :) Definitely love being able to help out the fam with some of the winnings. Thanks for the comment!
julie
Love that place but have never had the shrimp burger. Matt always likes to say he is stealing beers because of the honor system there.
Billie
I am so going to make these! They sound awesome and being a seafood lover these are perfect.
Mary
The family will be expecting these at the beach next year!
Chris
I’ve done these on the grill, fantastic!
Georgia
This is what we planned for dinner tonight and I found you while looking for a recipes for shrimp burgers. Yours sounded more to our taste but I may add a little lemon to the base or sauce. If I had one suggestion, that would be to have a printable recipe. I will follow-up with feedback on what sounds like a delicious sandwich.
Nick
Hey Georgia! There’s a print recipe link next to the ingredient lists for every recipe. It’ll take you to a page with just the ingredients and directions for easy printing. Here’s this one: https://www.crunchtimekitchen.com/2014/08/homemade-shrimp-burger/print/ Hope that helps!
Muriel
Southport, NC, and the Provision Company are a great combination. I visit every chance I get, and always have to go to the Provision Company.
SBO
This looks amazing, of course! And I love your creativity so keep doing what you’re doing. I like to eat a lot of shrimp.
Laurie
Tried the recipe two weeks ago and it was delish! Making it again tonight for my in-laws. Provision Co. in Holden is my happy place Although I have never ordered the shrimp burger there my sister in law always does. After trying this recipe it will sure to be my menu choice next visit.
Anna
I was in Holden Beach a few weeks ago looking at real estate with my realtor. I was getting hungry and I said to him lets stop and have lunch somewhere. He said I know a great place called Provision Company. He told me to order the shrimp burger, and I said I never had one before. We ordered those and their conch fritters which were outstanding!! I actually went again before I left to go back to NY because it was so good. I was looking for a recipe for them when I can across your site. I cant wait to make them, thank you!!
Suzanne Parker
I’ve eaten at The Provision Co at Holden Beach many times. I love the shrimp burger! Thank you for sharing!
Linda
My brother went to Provisions in Southport I told him to order the shrimp burger. I was shocked to find out they don’t serve this great burger why is this?
Wanda Post
Only the Holden Beach location does.
Laura J Maynard
We had the pleasure of eating these at provisions this summer a little pricey but they we’re awesome burgers I will be using this recipe. THANKS
Page
I have gone to Holden Beach my entire life and ProCo is one of my favs. The shrimp burger is the best and I can’t wait to try your recipe at home. I would love to introduce my Charleston, SC friends to this delicious Holden Beach recipe!
Libbie
We have been eating Shrimp Burgers at Pro.Co. for 16 years! Still trying to figure out their secret! Can’t wait to try this version. I can’t figure out what kind of binding agent they use besides egg, not sure if it’s breadcrumbs. I may try parmesan cheese and see how that goes.
Cait
We’ve been going to Holden Beach the last 30 years. It wasn’t until about five years ago I discovered the shrimp burger at Provision Co. We just returned from there and ate shrimp burgers three times while there lol Hadn’t ever looked for recipe until now. Can’t wait to try!
Brian
This recipe has been on my “to make” list for a long time. Well, today was the day and I’m kicking myself not not making these ages ago.
These shrimp burgers were absolutely incredible
Today was the first time making these but it definitely won’t be last
Nick
So glad you liked it Brian! Cheers!
Leigh Anne Farrell
I also enjoyed a shrimp burger at Proco a few years back, and have tried to find a recipe. This is very good! I don’t even know if the two recipes are the same, but I like this a lot. I once saw a comment about the Proco recipe having grated parmesan in it, so I just put some on my burger. Again, no idea if this is what the Provision Company’s shrimp burger tasted like, but also good!