Hey there seafood lovers! I’ve been cooking shrimp for years and lemme tell you – understanding shrimp sizes can be pretty confusing. Today, we’re gonna break down everything you need to know about jumbo shrimp and other sizes too!
What Exactly is a Jumbo Shrimp?
Jumbo shrimp ain’t just a funny oxymoron – it’s a specific size category in the seafood industry. Here at Fulton Fish Market, we classify jumbo shrimp as those that come in counts of 21-25 or 26-30 per pound That means when you buy a pound of jumbo shrimp, you’re getting between 21 to 30 individual shrimp
Jumbo Shrimp Size Breakdown
- Weight per shrimp: About 0.5 ounces each
- Serving size: You’ll get 5-7 shrimp in a typical 3oz serving
- Package count: 21-30 shrimp per pound
Complete Shrimp Size Chart
To help ya understand how jumbo shrimp compare to other sizes here’s a handy breakdown
| Size Category | Count per Pound | Shrimp per 3oz Serving |
|---|---|---|
| Super Colossal | 8-15 | 2-3 |
| Colossal | 16-20 | 4-5 |
| Jumbo | 21-30 | 5-7 |
| Large | 31-40 | 8-9 |
| Medium | 41-60 | 10-15 |
| Small | 71-90 | 18 |
Cooking Tips for Jumbo Shrimp
Since these bad boys are bigger than your average shrimp, they need special attention when cooking:
- Cooking time: About 10 minutes for baking or grilling
- Best cooking methods:
- Grilling with light seasoning
- Sautéing in butter and garlic
- Adding to stir-fries
- Using as the main protein in dishes
Important Things to Know About Shrimp Sizes
Listen up, cuz this is important! The size of your shrimp can change depending on how they’re processed:
- Head-on vs. head-off: Shrimp with heads on are typically 2 sizes larger
- Shell-on vs. peeled: Shell-on shrimp are usually 1 size larger
- Before vs. after cooking: All shrimp shrink a bit when cooked due to water loss
When to Use Jumbo Shrimp
I always tell my readers that jumbo shrimp are perfect when you want them to be the star of the show. They’re great for:
- Shrimp cocktail appetizers
- Grilled shrimp skewers
- Fancy pasta dishes
- Statement-making stir-fries
- Special occasion meals
Money-Saving Tips
Here’s a lil secret – if a recipe calls for jumbo shrimp but you’re on a budget, you can often substitute large shrimp (31-40 count) instead. Just adjust your cooking time down by a couple minutes and nobody will know the difference!
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right size shrimp can make or break your dish. Jumbo shrimp are perfect when you want something impressive, but remember – all shrimp sizes have their place in the kitchen. The most important thing is matching the size to your cooking method and recipe.
Now that you’re basically a shrimp size expert, get out there and start cooking! And hey, if you mess up the first time, don’t worry – we’ve all been there. Just keep at it and you’ll be a pro in no time!
Would love to hear about your experiences cooking with different shrimp sizes – drop a comment below and let’s chat!
Extra Small Shrimp
Extra small shrimp is the second smallest shrimp size. You get 61/70 shrimp per pound, while an ounce contains 15-17 shrimp. These shrimp are often used for shrimp salads. They may be labeled as “mini” or “baby shrimp” at your local grocery store.
Small shrimps contain more pieces than extra small shrimp, clocking in at 51/60 per pound. As a result, small shrimp serve your guests perfectly if you integrate it into delicacies such as shrimp pasta salad or pork dumpling soup. You can also add them as a source of protein to pasta dishes with sauce, like shrimp Alfredo.
If you like versatility in your seafood, then medium shrimps are your go-to. These tiny powerhouses come in 26/30 to 31/40 per pound, so its easy to find the perfect size for whatever dish you have in mind. With just two minutes of cook time when boiling, sautéing or pan-searing, theyre ideal for:
- Shrimp cocktails
- Lemon-y pasta dishes
- Extra-crispy coconut shrimp
- Stir fries and more
Medium shrimp with 31/40 pieces per pound is a great option for any recipe, as they offer the perfect balance between size and convenience. These versatile beauties can be served in sauce dishes, placed over vegetables or grains, and make for the perfect shrimp cocktail.
The mouthwatering lemon pepper shrimp below falls into the medium-sized category.
Large shrimp contain between 16 and 20 shrimp per pound. The shrimp make an excellent centerpiece for entrées, such as cilantro rice and broiled shrimp with black beans. You can also add it as a source of protein to pasta dishes with sauce, like shrimp Alfredo. Cooking large shrimp takes about three minutes.
Jumbo shrimp range between 10 and 12 shrimp per pound. Use jumbo shrimp for appetizers like bacon-wrapped shrimp. Jumbo works perfectly with entrees, such as grilled shrimp skewers with chimichurri. Cooking defrosted jumbo shrimp in hot, boiling water or a skillet takes approximately three minutes.
Helpful Shrimp Sizing Chart
|
Shrimp Type (Varies) |
Shrimp Per Pound |
|
Super Colossal |
U/12 |
|
Colossal |
U/15 |
|
Extra Jumbo |
16/20 |
|
Jumbo |
21/25 |
|
Extra Large |
26/30 |
|
Large |
31/35 |
|
Medium Large |
36/40 |
|
Medium |
41/50 |
|
Small |
51/60 |
|
Extra Small |
61/70 |
How to cook jumbo shrimp in 3 min.
FAQ
What size is a jumbo shrimp?
Jumbo (21-25, 26-30)
You get from 5-7 shrimp per 3oz serving and each individual shrimp weighs about half an ounce. Cooking: Since jumbo shrimp are noticeably larger they take about 10 minutes to bake or grill.
What shrimp is 8 inches long?
Biology. Pink shrimp grow fairly fast, depending on factors such as water temperature and salinity, and can reach over 8 inches in length.
How long is a giant shrimp?
Females can reach about 33 cm (13 in) long, but are typically 25–30 cm (10–12 in) long and weigh 200–320 g (7–11 oz); males are slightly smaller at 20–25 cm …
What shrimp is 7 inches long?
7. Northern Prawn (Pandalus borealis) The Northern prawn, also known as the cold-water shrimp, are usually found at normal shrimp sizes. But they can grow up to 7 inches (17.8 centimeters) long.