Shrimp Burgers with Pineapple-Avocado Salsa

Need a break from beef in your burger? Tuna burgers are one option, but here’s another idea: enjoy all the nutritional advantages of shrimp in a new and interesting form with shrimp burgers. These tiny crustaceans are packed with selenium, iodine, magnesium, B vitamins, and other good stuff from the sea – and don’t forget to save the shells to make a joint-healing seafood stock that you can use in all kinds of soups (or just eat straight).

Using shrimp as the main protein makes for very light-tasting burgers; they’re wonderful if you’re going to be eating outside while it’s hot. “Light-tasting” isn’t just a euphemism for “bland,” though: the patties are packed with plenty of fresh herbs and lemon for a nice zip, and you could even add a little bit of hot pepper if you like them spicy.

You wouldn’t want to slather these burgers with ketchup or mustard, but that doesn’t mean condiments are off the table. A fruity salsa tops off the burgers with a tropical touch: top them off with a scoop of salsa and wrap them up in a lettuce bun, or just serve them over a big plate of salad as a tasty Paleo meal.

Shrimp Burgers with Pineapple-Avocado Salsa Recipe

SERVES: 4 PREP: 20 min. COOK: 15 min.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ lb. shrimp (any size), peeled, and deveined;
• 2 tbsp. cilantro, coarsely chopped;
• 2 tbsp. fresh chives;
• 1 garlic clove, minced;
• ¼ cup radishes, minced;
• ¼ cup celery, minced;
• 1 tsp. fresh lemon zest;
• 1 tbsp. lemon juice;
• 1 egg, beaten;
• ¼ cup almond meal;
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper;

Ingredients for the pineapple-avocado salsa

• 1 cup fresh pineapple, finely chopped;
• 1 avocado, pitted, peeled, and diced;
• ¼ cup bell peppers, finely chopped;
• 2 tbsp. red onion, finely diced;
• 1 tbsp. fresh lime juice;
• 1 tbsp. chopped cilantro;
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper;

Preparation

1. Combine all the ingredients for the salsa in a bowl and refrigerate.
2. Preheat your grill to a medium-high heat.
3. Combine the shrimp, cilantro, chives, and garlic in a food processor. Pulse until the shrimp are finely chopped.
4. In a large bowl,  combine the shrimp mixture with the radish, celery, almond meal, beaten egg, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
5. Shape the mixture into 4 burger patties.
6. Grill each burger for 4 to 5 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
7. Serve the burgers with salsa spooned over top.