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Shrimp Sliders for Two

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on April 19, 2022

Time

45 minutes

Yield

Serves 2

Shrimp Sliders for Two

Ingredients

¼ cup mayonnaise, divided1 scallion, white and green parts separated and chopped fine1 tablespoon finely chopped dill pickles ½ teaspoon hot sauce ½ teaspoon pepper, divided1 cup panko bread crumbs 12 ounces large shrimp (26 to 30 per pound), peeled, deveined, and tails left on, divided1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning ¼ teaspoon table salt ½ cup vegetable oil, for frying4 (2½-inch) slider buns or dinner rolls, halved horizontally and toasted4 teaspoons cocktail sauce 4 small leaves Bibb lettuce

Before You Begin

We prefer untreated shrimp—those not treated with sodium or additives such as sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP). Most frozen shrimp have been treated (the ingredient list should tell you). If you're using treated shrimp, decrease the amount of salt to ⅛ teaspoon. If you're purchasing shell-on shrimp, you should buy about 1 pound. We recommend using Martin's Dinner Potato Rolls here.

Instructions

  1.  Combine 3 tablespoons mayonnaise, scallion whites, pickles, hot sauce, and ¼ teaspoon pepper in bowl. Cover tartar sauce and refrigerate until ready to serve.
  2.  Spread panko in shallow dish. Pulse one-third of shrimp, Old Bay, salt, remaining 1 tablespoon mayonnaise, and remaining ¼ teaspoon pepper in food processor until shrimp are finely chopped, about 4 pulses. Add remaining two-thirds of shrimp to mixture in processor and pulse until coarsely chopped, about 6 pulses, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Transfer shrimp mixture to bowl and stir in scallion greens.
  3.  Divide shrimp mixture into 4 equal portions (about ⅓ cup each) and shape into 3½-inch-diameter patties. Working with 1 patty at a time, dredge both sides in panko, pressing lightly to adhere, and transfer to plate.
  4.  Line plate with triple layer of paper towels. Heat oil in 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Place patties in skillet and cook until golden brown on first side, 2 to 4 minutes. Carefully flip patties and continue to cook until patties register 140 to 145 degrees and second side is golden brown, 2 to 4 minutes longer. Transfer patties to prepared plate and let drain, about 30 seconds per side.
  5.  Spread tartar sauce on bun bottoms and cocktail sauce on bun tops. Place patties on bun bottoms. Top with lettuce and cover with bun tops. Serve.
Shrimp Sliders for Two
Photography by Steve Klise. Styling by Kendra Smith.

Shrimp Sliders for Two

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Time

45 minutes

Yield

Serves 2

Ingredients

¼ cup mayonnaise, divided
1 scallion, white and green parts separated and chopped fine
1 tablespoon finely chopped dill pickles
½ teaspoon hot sauce
½ teaspoon pepper, divided
1 cup panko bread crumbs
12 ounces large shrimp (26 to 30 per pound), peeled, deveined, and tails left on, divided
1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
¼ teaspoon table salt
½ cup vegetable oil, for frying
4 (2½-inch) slider buns or dinner rolls, halved horizontally and toasted
4 teaspoons cocktail sauce
4 small leaves Bibb lettuce

Test Kitchen Techniques

Ingredients

¼ cup mayonnaise, divided
1 scallion, white and green parts separated and chopped fine
1 tablespoon finely chopped dill pickles
½ teaspoon hot sauce
½ teaspoon pepper, divided
1 cup panko bread crumbs
12 ounces large shrimp (26 to 30 per pound), peeled, deveined, and tails left on, divided
1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
¼ teaspoon table salt
½ cup vegetable oil, for frying
4 (2½-inch) slider buns or dinner rolls, halved horizontally and toasted
4 teaspoons cocktail sauce
4 small leaves Bibb lettuce

Test Kitchen Techniques

Ingredients

¼ cup mayonnaise, divided
1 scallion, white and green parts separated and chopped fine
1 tablespoon finely chopped dill pickles
½ teaspoon hot sauce
½ teaspoon pepper, divided
1 cup panko bread crumbs
12 ounces large shrimp (26 to 30 per pound), peeled, deveined, and tails left on, divided
1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
¼ teaspoon table salt
½ cup vegetable oil, for frying
4 (2½-inch) slider buns or dinner rolls, halved horizontally and toasted
4 teaspoons cocktail sauce
4 small leaves Bibb lettuce

Test Kitchen Techniques

Why This Recipe Works

We found that finely grinding a portion of the shrimp in a food processor yielded a sticky paste that—with a bit of help from some mayonnaise—effectively bound succulent pieces of chopped shrimp without the need for eggs or a bready binder. To boost the shrimp flavor, we added some Old Bay seasoning to the mix (which was based off Christie Morrison and Nick Iverson's rendition of South Carolina's famous shrimp burgers) before folding in chopped scallions for a jolt of freshness. To ensure extra-crunchy edges, we shaped small, thin patties and coated them in panko bread crumbs before shallow-frying. We finished the sliders with tartar and cocktail sauces to drive home the seafood vibe and let the sweet shrimp shine.

Before You Begin

We prefer untreated shrimp—those not treated with sodium or additives such as sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP). Most frozen shrimp have been treated (the ingredient list should tell you). If you're using treated shrimp, decrease the amount of salt to ⅛ teaspoon. If you're purchasing shell-on shrimp, you should buy about 1 pound. We recommend using Martin's Dinner Potato Rolls here.

Instructions

  1.  Combine 3 tablespoons mayonnaise, scallion whites, pickles, hot sauce, and ¼ teaspoon pepper in bowl. Cover tartar sauce and refrigerate until ready to serve.
  2.  Spread panko in shallow dish. Pulse one-third of shrimp, Old Bay, salt, remaining 1 tablespoon mayonnaise, and remaining ¼ teaspoon pepper in food processor until shrimp are finely chopped, about 4 pulses. Add remaining two-thirds of shrimp to mixture in processor and pulse until coarsely chopped, about 6 pulses, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Transfer shrimp mixture to bowl and stir in scallion greens.
  3.  Divide shrimp mixture into 4 equal portions (about ⅓ cup each) and shape into 3½-inch-diameter patties. Working with 1 patty at a time, dredge both sides in panko, pressing lightly to adhere, and transfer to plate.
  4.  Line plate with triple layer of paper towels. Heat oil in 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Place patties in skillet and cook until golden brown on first side, 2 to 4 minutes. Carefully flip patties and continue to cook until patties register 140 to 145 degrees and second side is golden brown, 2 to 4 minutes longer. Transfer patties to prepared plate and let drain, about 30 seconds per side.
  5.  Spread tartar sauce on bun bottoms and cocktail sauce on bun tops. Place patties on bun bottoms. Top with lettuce and cover with bun tops. Serve.

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