Hey there, seafood lovers! Ever stood at the fish counter wondering just how many shrimp you need for that perfect dinner? Well, I’ve been cooking shrimp for years, and I’m here to break down everything you need to know about shrimp sizes and portions in simple terms.
Quick Answer
The weight of one shrimp varies significantly based on its size classification. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Super Colossal shrimp: ~1 oz each
- Colossal shrimp: ~0.75 oz each
- Jumbo shrimp: ~0.5 oz each
- Large shrimp: ~0.33 oz each
- Medium shrimp: ~0.23 oz each
- Small shrimp: ~0.17 oz each
Understanding Shrimp Size Classifications
The Count System
Ya know what’s kinda confusing? Those numbers on shrimp packages like “21/25” or “U/15”. Let me break it down for ya:
- The numbers tell you how many shrimp are in one pound
- When you see “U” (like in U/15), it means “under” that many per pound
- Smaller numbers = bigger shrimp (weird, right?)
Size Chart with Counts and Weights
| Size Category | Count per Pound | Approx. Weight per Shrimp |
|---|---|---|
| Super Colossal | U/12 | 1.0 oz |
| Colossal | 13-15 | 0.75 oz |
| Extra Jumbo | 16-20 | 0.65 oz |
| Jumbo | 21-25 | 0.50 oz |
| Extra Large | 26-30 | 0.40 oz |
| Large | 31-35 | 0.33 oz |
| Medium Large | 36-40 | 0.28 oz |
| Medium | 41-50 | 0.23 oz |
| Small | 51-60 | 0.20 oz |
| Extra Small | 61-70 | 0.17 oz |
| Tiny | 71-90+ | 0.15 oz or less |
Portion Planning Made Easy
Standard Serving Sizes
The FDA recommends about 3 oz of shrimp per serving, Here’s what that looks like
- For appetizers: 2-3 oz per person
- For main dishes: 4-6 oz per person
- For shrimp-heavy dishes (like shrimp scampi): 6-8 oz per person
How Many Shrimp Per Serving?
For a standard 3 oz serving you’ll get
- Super Colossal: 2-3 shrimp
- Jumbo: 5-6 shrimp
- Large: 8-9 shrimp
- Medium: 10-12 shrimp
- Small: 12-15 shrimp
Cooking Tips Based on Shrimp Size
Large and Super Colossal Shrimp (U/15 – 26/30)
Perfect for:
- Grilling
- Shrimp cocktail
- Stuffed shrimp
- Statement dishes
Cooking time 3-4 minutes per side
Medium and Large Shrimp (31/40 – 41/50)
Great for:
- Pasta dishes
- Stir-fries
- Skewers
- General purpose cooking
Cooking time: 2-3 minutes per side
Small and Extra Small Shrimp (51/70+)
Best used in:
- Salads
- Soups
- Dips
- Po’ boys
Cooking time: 1-2 minutes per side
Pro Tips for Buying and Preparing Shrimp
- Weight Loss During Prep
- Heads on → remove = lose about 35% weight
- Shell on → remove = lose about 15% weight
- Raw → cooked = lose about 25% weight
- Buying Guidelines
- If buying shell-on: Get 1/2 to 1 pound per person
- If buying peeled: Get 1/3 to 1/2 pound per person
- Always buy a little extra (trust me, they’ll get eaten!)
- Storage Tips
- Fresh shrimp: Use within 2 days
- Frozen shrimp: Good for up to 6 months
- Thawed shrimp: Don’t refreeze!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
-
Ignoring the Count
Don’t just go by names like “jumbo” or “large” – these aren’t standardized. Always check the count numbers! -
Overcooking
Shrimp cook FAST! They’re done when they:
- Turn pink
- Form a “C” shape
- Are opaque throughout
- Wrong Size Selection
- Don’t use tiny shrimp for grilling (they’ll fall through!)
- Skip the colossal ones for quick stir-fries
- Match the size to your cooking method
Final Thoughts
Picking the right size shrimp doesn’t have to be complicated! Just remember:
- Bigger numbers = smaller shrimp
- Consider your cooking method
- When in doubt, medium shrimp (41/50) are super versatile
P.S. Got any awesome shrimp recipes to share? Drop ’em in the comments below – I’m always looking for new ideas!
How many grams of shrimp is too much?
Consuming 300 grams of shrimp or less per day is an excellent way to add flavor and nutrition to your diet. Shrimp is also a great low-calorie protein source that keeps you feeling full and energetic all day.
Colossal and Super Colossal shrimp
Colossal and Super Colossal shrimp are a surefire way to make any meal stand out. With counts ranging between 8-12 shrimp per pound, these succulent seafood treats will be the star of any show. Whether you serve them chilled as a decadent appetizer, butterflied and stuffed, or BBQd, colossal shrimp bring an unbeatable flavor that cant be matched. Plus, with cooking times faster than red meat proteins, these delightful delights wont keep your guests waiting all night.
HOW Many SHRIMP Are IN A POUND | WHAT Is The SHRIMP COUNT?
FAQ
How many ounces is 1 shrimp?
How many pieces of shrimp is 4 oz?
How much shrimp is 8oz?
This number (which is clearly marked on the packaging) represents raw, unfrozen weight, so if your recipe calls for 8 ounces of large shrimp, simply count out 15 shrimp—half of the top of the range.
How much shrimp is 12 ounces?
These deveined shrimp still have the tail on, making them easy to hold and dip in a sauce. With a four-star certification for Best Aquaculture Practices, these shrimp are a responsible and sustainable choice. They come in a 12-oz bag containing 30 to 45 pieces.
How many shrimp per ounce?
As you go up in shrimp size, you naturally get fewer individual shrimp per ounce since the shrimp themselves are larger. For reference, a standard 3 ounce serving of cooked shrimp is about 8-12 shrimp depending on the size. Different shrimp sizes work better for certain cooking methods and recipes. Here are some tips:
How many shrimp are in a serving?
Because shrimp can lose up to 25% of their weight after cooking, a serving size is 3 ounces cooked, and approximately 4 ounces raw. The number of shrimp per serving depends on the size of the shrimp. A serving of tiny salad shrimp (71+ per pound) is close to 17+ shrimp, while a serving of Colossal (U/15) shrimp is 3 to 4 shrimp.
What is the smallest size of shrimp?
The smallest shrimp are well under 1/2 inch (as small as 2mm or .07 inches), while the largest shrimp can be as big as 8 inches. The average size is 1.5 to 3 inches, according to Britannica. What is the serving size of shrimp? Let’s look at shrimp serving sizes in terms of both ounces and shrimp counts.
What size shrimp should I buy?
As a general rule, the smaller the shrimp size the larger the count. Different shrimp sizes are better in different recipes and can require different cooking methods. For example, smaller shrimp are typically found in salads while larger shrimp are used as appetizers or a main course.
How many shrimp in a pound?
When it comes to buying shrimp, the numbers 26/30 mean the number of shrimp in a pound. The more shrimps per pound, the smaller they are. So 26/30 means youll get 26-30 small shrimp per pound. The U.S. Food & Drug Administrat ion (FDA) recommends eating 3 ounces of seafood – including shrimp – per serving.
How many ounces of shrimp should a person eat?
The recommended shrimp serving per an average person is three ounces. This translates to 11-12 “medium” shrimp, 8-9 “large” shrimp, or just 3 “colossal” shrimp. How to buy Shrimp.