Classic surf and turf goes casual with burgers, shrimp and a creamy Ranch dressing. Say hello to Surf and Turf Burgers!
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Why we love this recipe
Oh, these surf and turf burgers. This completely satisfying combo of tender shrimp and juicy burger lets you have your cake and eat it too. Beef and seafood-wise! It’s the informal version of that steak surf and turf recipe you see on fancy menus, right here in your own kitchen!
And the icing on the cake is that you are only going to mess up One Single Pan (or griddle!) making these babies, because not only are the burgers cooked to your liking on the griddle, but the shrimp are going on the griddle as well.
Now, I need to warn you that these delectable all-in-one treats are, well, messy. Not only do you have juicy burger and tender shrimp going on, but the whole thing is topped with no, not ketchup.
Nope, that is creamy, dreamy, Ranch salad dressing dripping down the side of that burger. Listen, if we are going to go surf and turf with our burger, let’s not cut any corners!
Ingredients you need
Ingredient notes and substitutions
- Ground Beef: We always like the 80/20 mixture for the best flavor, but you can also use leaner ground beef. Or ever ground turkey.
- Shrimp: Get them at your seafood counter…you can ask for the exact number you need.
- Old Bay: You can find this classic seafood seasoning in the spice aisle.
- Dressing: We love Ranch dressing for this recipe, but Caesar would also be amazing.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities and nutritional information.
How to make this recipe
STEP 1: Heat your griddle or large skillet to high and while it is heating, form burgers into 4 loose patties.
STEP 2: Toss some peeled and butterflied shrimp with olive oil and Old Bay.
STEP 3: Cook the shrimp until they are just done, about 1-2 minutes per side. Set them aside.
STEP 4: Cook the burgers until they are done to your liking, about three to four minutes per side for medium rare.
STEP 5: Assemble your surf and turf burgers as follows: roll, burger, lettuce and tomato, generous amount of dressing, shrimp, top of roll. Serve at once. With lots of napkins! Open reeeeeeeeeal wide. You know the rest!
Equipment we used for this recipe
These are some of my favorite kitchen tools! These are Amazon affiliate links, which means I get a little something if you buy through my links at no extra cost to you. (Which helps pay for all that bacon I keep buying! 😄) And I only share things I use and love. I’m so grateful for your support!
- Griddle: You can of course make these burgers in a skillet, but our choice always is this griddle – you can fit lots of burgers and the flipping is much easier.
- Paring knife: Perfect for butterflying those shrimp (more on that below!)
- Fish Spatula: This thin spatula is perfect for getting under those burgers to flip them. And for making Cinnamon Oat Pancakes, for that matter!
Recipe FAQs
Pull off the shell by wiggling it apart at the bottom of the shrimp. Once the shell is off, cut a deep line along the top of the shrimp where the vein is, pull it out with the tip of the knife and…you’re done! Butterflying shrimp simply means that the deep cut you made in the shrimp flattens it out into two sides that look kinda like a butterfly…this makes them better for topping on that burger. Put the shrimp shells in a zippered plastic bag when you toss them out, because if they sit in your trash can for more than a few hours…well, I’ll let you use your imagination.
100% yes! You can cook the burgers directly on the grill, but we recommend a grilling pan for the shrimp so you don’t lose any in between the grill grates.
Old Bay is a seafood seasoning that is a mixture of celery salt, black pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, paprika and a few others. You can find it in the spice aisle of your grocery store, and it adds a delightful flavor to your shrimpies. And if you want to try your hand at mixing up your own, here’s a recipe for the homemade version!
Leave your question (or comment or suggestion) in the Comments box below the recipe and I will answer pronto!
What to serve with this recipe
We love some cheese fries and/or some pancake batter onion rings with our burger! Or maybe some sour cream potato salad? And for dessert, we love these blueberry cheesecake squares.
Other burger recipes we love!
We would love your review!
If you try this recipe, we would love to hear how it came out for you! I’d be super grateful if you could leave a star rating (you pick how many stars! 🌟 ) and your thoughts in the Comments section below the recipe.
PrintSurf and Turf Burgers!
5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star
5 from 1 review
- Author: Kate Morgan Jackson
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 10–12 large shrimp, peeled and butterflied
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- Your favorite bottled Ranch salad dressing
- Sliced tomato
- Lettuce
- Hamburger rolls
Instructions
- Heat your griddle or large skillet to high and form burgers into 4 loose patties.
- Toss shrimp with the olive oil and Old Bay.
- Cook the shrimp until they arej ust done, about 1-2 minutes per side. Set them aside.
- Place burgers on the griddle and cook them until they are done to your liking, about 3-4 minutes per side for medium rare.
- Assemble surf and turf burgers as follows: roll, burger, lettuce and tomato, generous amount of dressing, shrimp, top of roll. Serve at once. With lots of napkins!
Notes
-
- Ground Beef: We always like the 80/20 mixture for the best flavor, but you can also use leaner ground beef. Or ever ground turkey.
-
- Shrimp: Get them at your seafood counter…you can ask for the exact number you need.
-
- Old Bay: You can find this classic seafood seasoning in the spice aisle.
-
- Dressing: We love Ranch dressing for this recipe, but Caesar would also be amazing.
Fiona says
This recipe makes me feel like I’m at the beach! Love this combo!
Kate Morgan Jackson says
Thanks Fiona and yes! I can almost hear the waves!
Nutmeg Nanny says
This burger is beautiful :) my husband will fall in love with it!!
Blewits says
after pa rousing the patty melt, the cheddar cream cheese chive biscuits and this I have decided that now you are just being cruel! ;)
Keep ’em coming!
Joanne says
Even when I scour menus before going to restaurants, I still spend at least twenty minutes deciding what to order. It’s a problem. If more places had fusion meals like this it would make my life MUCH easier!
Kate says
Right? I am all about the mix and match – it makes deciding SO much easier!