Hey there! I’ve been cooking with shrimp for years and let me tell ya – figuring out shrimp sizes can be super confusing! Today I’m gonna break down exactly how many ounces are in different sizes of shrimp and share some cool tips I’ve learned along the way.
The Quick Answer
The weight of one shrimp varies quite a bit depending on its size category, Here’s the simple breakdown
- Extra Colossal (U10): About 1.6 oz per shrimp
- Super Colossal (U12): Around 1.3 oz per shrimp
- Colossal (U15): About 1.1 oz per shrimp
- Extra Jumbo (16/20): 0.8-1.0 oz per shrimp
- Jumbo (21/25): 0.64-0.76 oz per shrimp
- Large (31/35): 0.46-0.52 oz per shrimp
- Medium (41/50): 0.32-0.39 oz per shrimp
- Small (51/60): 0.26-0.31 oz per shrimp
Understanding Shrimp Count Numbers
When you’re shopping for shrimp, you’ll see numbers like “16/20” or “U15” on the packages. Here’s what they mean
- The numbers (like 16/20) tell you how many shrimp you’ll get per pound
- “U” means “under” – so U15 means you get under 15 shrimp per pound
- The smaller the numbers, the bigger the shrimp!
Size Categories and Their Best Uses
Super Colossal & Colossal Shrimp
- 8-20 shrimp per pound
- Perfect for:
- Shrimp cocktail
- Grilling
- Stuffed shrimp recipes
- Takes about 15 mins to cook
- Usually 2-3 shrimp per serving
Jumbo Shrimp
- 21-30 shrimp per pound
- Great for:
- Grilling
- Stir-frying
- Sautéing
- Takes about 10 mins to cook
- Usually 5-7 shrimp per serving
Medium & Large Shrimp
- 31-60 shrimp per pound
- Best for:
- Pasta dishes
- Shrimp scampi
- Stir-fries
- Cooks in 4-6 minutes
- About 8-15 shrimp per serving
Small Shrimp
- 71-90 shrimp per pound
- Perfect for:
- Salads
- Dips
- Soups
- Cooks super quick (watch carefully!)
- About 18 shrimp per serving
Weight Changes During Prep & Cooking
Here’s something important I learned the hard way – shrimp weight changes depending on how you prep and cook them:
Shell-On vs. Peeled
- Head-on shrimp are about 2 sizes bigger than headless
- Shell-on is about 1 size bigger than peeled
- Example: A colossal 16/20 head-on shrimp becomes jumbo 26/30 when peeled
Cooking Changes
Shrimp shrink when cooked because they lose water weight. Pro tip: Don’t buy shrimp with preservatives – they shrink more during cooking because they’re holding extra water!
Nutritional Info Per 3oz Serving (85g)
- Calories: 72
- Protein: 17g
- Total Fat: 0.4g
- Cholesterol: 137mg
- Sodium: 101mg
My Top Shopping Tips
-
Think About Your Recipe
- Bigger isn’t always better
- Match size to cooking method
- Consider portion sizes
-
Check the Count
- Don’t just go by size names
- Look at the count numbers
- Remember: smaller numbers = bigger shrimp
-
Fresh vs. Frozen
- Fresh should smell like the ocean
- Frozen shouldn’t have ice crystals
- Both are good options!
Storage Tips
Keep your shrimp fresh with these tips:
- Store in coldest part of fridge
- Use within 2 days if fresh
- Thaw frozen shrimp:
- Overnight in fridge (best method)
- Under cold running water (quick method)
Common Cooking Methods
Different sizes work better with different cooking methods:
Grilling
- Best sizes: Colossal, Jumbo
- Why: Hold up well to heat
- Time: 10-15 minutes
Sautéing
- Best sizes: Large, Medium
- Why: Cook evenly
- Time: 4-6 minutes
Boiling
- Best sizes: Any size works
- Why: Quick cooking method
- Time: Varies by size
Wrapping It Up
Now you know exactly how many ounces are in different sizes of shrimp! Remember, there’s no “perfect” size – it all depends on what you’re cooking. Whether you’re making a fancy shrimp cocktail or a quick stir-fry, picking the right size will make your dish turn out amazing!
Got questions about shrimp sizes? Drop ’em in the comments – I’d love to help ya out! Happy cooking!
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.
For Shrimp Cocktails
Cook the shrimp for three to four minutes (depending on the size) before removing the shells or deveining them. You can opt for boiling or steaming your shrimp or pan-fry it. However, steaming is the perfect method of cooking shrimp for cocktails to prevent overcooking. Medium shrimp are the best shrimp for cocktails.
Deep-fry the shrimp for two-three minutes, depending on the size of your shrimp, until they have a golden-brown color on the outside and are opaque at the center. Sauté or stir-fry over medium heat and add butter, olive, or margarine.
Deep fry colossal to extra-large shrimp when butterflying and large to extra small if you choose to fry the whole shrimp.
The following are some of the frequently asked questions about shrimp count.
HOW Many SHRIMP Are IN A POUND | WHAT Is The SHRIMP COUNT?
FAQ
How many ounces is 1 shrimp?
How many shrimps make 4 ounces?
Here’s what to expect for a 4-oz (113 gram) serving: Colossal shrimp: 1-4 per serving. Jumbo shrimp: 5-6 per serving. Large shrimp: 7-9 per serving.
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 ounces of shrimp are in a pound?
A: 4 oz. is a standard serving size for protein-based foods; depending on the size grade of your shrimp, this translates to the following approximate shrimp serving sizes: Jumbo (21/25 count per pound): 5-6 shrimp. Large (31/35 count per pound): 8-9 shrimp. Medium (41/50 count per pound): 10-11 shrimp. How many pieces of shrimp is 3 ounces?
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.
How many shrimp in 3 oz?
For typical-sized shrimp that can be used for most recipes, there are anywhere between 16/25 shrimps per pound, or around 3-5 shrimp per 3 oz. How Many Shrimp is 3 Oz? How Do I Know How Many Shrimp are in 3 Oz? In the U.S., shrimp are generally sold by the number of pieces per pound.
How many oz of shrimp per person?
As a general rule though, it is recommended to serve 6-8 oz of shrimp per person if serving as an entrée, or 3-4 oz if serving as an appetizer, opting for more if there are no other appetizers on your menu, and adjusting for less if there are other filling ingredients in your recipe, for example, if it is a rice or pasta dish.
How big is 1 ounce of shrimp?
One ounce of medium sized shrimp is approximately To visualize it another way: 1 ounce of peeled, deveined shrimp fits in the palm of your hand or fills a golf ball sized volume. 1 ounce of shrimp in the shell takes up slightly more volume, about the size of a racquetball. Laid flat, 1 ounce of shrimp fills an area about 3-4 inches wide.
How much shrimp should I buy?
Equipped with this visual guide and tips for purchasing and preparing, you can easily estimate how much shrimp to purchase, portion, and cook for recipes. Just remember that 1 ounce is around 4-5 large or 8-12 medium shrimp depending on size.