I love a good burger—beef, pork, lamb—I’ll take them all. For Burger Month with Girl Carnivore I pulled out a recipe I’d been imagining for a while: a Cajun pork burger topped with grilled shrimp and finished with a spicy Cajun aioli. These Cajun pork burgers with shrimp and spicy aioli are rich in flavor and will be a frequent choice at our grill this summer.
Whether you prefer loads of veggies or a simpler build, this burger delivers bold flavor. Toasted brioche buns add a touch of decadence—who knew surf-and-turf didn’t have to be beef and lobster? Pork and shrimp make an outstanding pairing.
I start by combining ground pork with pork or beef chorizo for a spicy, savory base. Parmesan works well as a binder so the patties hold together. After forming the patties, I season them with Cajun seasoning before they hit the grill.
Form the mixture into six patties and preheat your grill to about 350°F. I cooked these on a charcoal grill for 5–7 minutes per side. When I flipped the burgers, I put the marinated shrimp directly on the grill so both the shrimp and burgers finished at the same time.
The shrimp are quick: toss peeled, deveined shrimp in lemon juice, Italian dressing seasoning, paprika, cayenne, minced garlic, and a splash of Tabasco. Place the shrimp in a grill pan with pats of butter and lemon slices so they cook in their marinade without falling through the grates. Cook until the shrimp are pink and curled tight.
Right before the burgers come off the grill, top each with a slice of pepper jack cheese so it melts over the patty. I like to assemble these on toasted brioche buns, placing three or four grilled shrimp atop each cheesy pork patty.
For the sauce, mix half a cup of creamy horseradish sauce with a teaspoon of Cajun seasoning to create a bright, spicy aioli. Drench the stacked burger in this Cajun aioli and finish with lettuce, onion, and tomato for a perfect balance of heat, creaminess, and freshness.
Cajun Pork Burgers with Shrimp and Spicy Aioli
If you keep ground pork and chorizo in your freezer, this is an excellent way to switch up the usual burger routine. The chorizo adds depth and spice while the shrimp bring a bright, briny counterpoint—together they make an impressive surf-and-turf burger that’s easier to prepare than you might expect.
May is Burger Month, and Girl Carnivore hosts an annual celebration with giveaways and recipes. It’s a great time to try new burger ideas like this Cajun pork and shrimp version.
Best Burger Recipes
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The Best Pork Burger Seasoning
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Cajun Pork Burgers with Shrimp and Spicy Aioli
A Cajun pork patty blended with chorizo, topped with grilled spicy shrimp and a Cajun-seasoned horseradish aioli for a memorable surf-and-turf burger.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground pork
- 10 ounces pork or beef chorizo
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 pound peeled, no-tail shrimp
- 2 lemons
- 1 envelope Italian dressing seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Cajun seasoning (for patties)
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 6 slices pepper jack cheese
- 6 brioche buns
- 1 bottle creamy horseradish sauce
Instructions
- In a large zip-top bag, combine the shrimp, juice from one lemon, Italian seasoning, paprika, cayenne, garlic, and Tabasco. Seal and shake to coat; set aside to marinate.
- Mix the ground pork, chorizo, and Parmesan together. Form into six equal patties.
- Preheat grill to about 350°F. Season both sides of the patties with Cajun seasoning before placing on the grill. Cook 5–7 minutes per side.
- Place the marinated shrimp in a grill pan or on foil with the marinade. Dot with pats of butter and add lemon slices on top.
- When you flip the burgers, place the shrimp on the grill so they finish cooking at the same time as the patties. Cook shrimp until fully pink and curled.
- Put cheese on the burgers just before removing them to melt.
- While cooking, mix 1/2 cup horseradish sauce with 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning to make the aioli.
- Assemble burgers: bottom bun, pork patty, 3–4 shrimp, plenty of Cajun aioli, and any additional toppings you like (lettuce, onion, tomato). Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Calories: 965 kcal | Carbohydrates: 43 g | Protein: 54 g | Fat: 64 g | Saturated Fat: 31 g | Sodium: 1896 mg
This post was not paid for, although I did receive some sponsored items to test. No, I didn’t get the grill.