Ever stood at the seafood counter, scratching your head over shrimp sizes? I feel ya! As a seafood enthusiast, I’ve learned that knowing shrimp sizes is super important for nailing your recipes Let’s break down exactly how many ounces one shrimp weighs and everything else you need to know!
Quick Answer
The weight of a single shrimp varies significantly based on its size category. Here’s a simple breakdown:
- Extra Colossal (U10): 1.6 oz per shrimp
- Super Colossal (U12): 1.3 oz per shrimp
- Colossal (U15): 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
Ya know those weird numbers on shrimp packages like “21/25” or “U12”? Let me explain what they mean
- The numbers show how many shrimp you get per pound
- When you see a slash (like 21/25), it’s a range
- The “U” means “under” – so U12 means less than 12 shrimp per pound
- Smaller numbers = bigger shrimp!
Detailed Shrimp Size Chart
Here’s a handy chart I’ve put together showing different sizes and their measurements
| Size Category | Count per Pound | Ounces per Shrimp | Shrimp per 3oz Serving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extra Colossal | U10 | 1.6 oz | 2-3 |
| Super Colossal | U12 | 1.3 oz | 2-3 |
| Colossal | U15 | 1.1 oz | 3-4 |
| Extra Jumbo | 16/20 | 0.8-1.0 oz | 4-5 |
| Jumbo | 21/25 | 0.64-0.76 oz | 5-6 |
| Extra Large | 26/30 | 0.53-0.61 oz | 6-7 |
| Large | 31/35 | 0.46-0.52 oz | 8-9 |
| Medium | 41/50 | 0.32-0.39 oz | 10-12 |
| Small | 51/60 | 0.26-0.31 oz | 12-15 |
Best Uses for Different Shrimp Sizes
Not all shrimp sizes work great for every recipe. Here’s what I’ve learned works best:
Large Shrimp (31/35 and bigger):
- Grilling
- Shrimp cocktail
- Stuffed shrimp
- Main course dishes
Medium Shrimp (41/50):
- Pasta dishes
- Stir-fries
- Scampi
- Fajitas
Small Shrimp (51/60 and smaller):
- Salads
- Soups
- Dips
- Popcorn shrimp
Cooking Tips Based on Size
The size of your shrimp totally affects cooking time! Here’s what ya need to know:
Extra Large & Above:
- Grilling: 5-7 minutes
- Baking: 12-15 minutes
- Need careful attention to avoid overcooking
Medium to Large:
- Pan-frying: 4-6 minutes
- Perfect for quick-cooking methods
- Turn pink when done
Small Shrimp:
- Cook super fast (2-3 minutes)
- Watch carefully to avoid rubber-like texture
- Great for quick stir-frying
Weight Loss During Cooking
Something important to remember – shrimp lose weight during cooking! Here’s what happens:
- Raw shrimp with heads: Lose about 35% when heads removed
- Shell-on shrimp: Lose about 15% when peeled
- All shrimp: Lose about 25% total weight after cooking
Shopping Tips
When I’m buying shrimp, here’s what I look for:
- Decide on your recipe first
- Check the count numbers, not just size names
- Buy about 4oz raw per person for main dishes
- For appetizers, 2-3oz per person usually works
- Remember the weight loss during cooking!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t make these rookie mistakes (trust me, I’ve made ’em all!):
- Ignoring the count numbers
- Buying too small for grilling
- Getting too large for quick stir-fries
- Not accounting for weight loss in recipes
- Overcooking (big no-no!)
Storage and Handling
Keep your shrimp fresh with these tips:
- Store in coldest part of fridge
- Use within 2 days if fresh
- Keep frozen shrimp frozen until ready to use
- Thaw overnight in fridge, not on counter
- Don’t refreeze thawed shrimp
There ya have it! Everything you need to know about shrimp sizes and weights. Remember, practice makes perfect, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different sizes for your favorite recipes. Happy cooking!
Would you like me to explain or break down any part of this article further?
For Sous Vide Shrimp
Sous vide is the key to perfectly cooked shrimp every time. Dont get stuck with overcooked, rubbery shrimp ever again – sous vide will let you achieve textures that just arent possible with traditional cooking methods. For an optimum outcome, choose small and medium shrimp sizes for your sous vide dish to avoid any risk of overcooking.
Shrimp Sizes From Extra Small to Super Colossal
Are shrimp sizes like a math problem? Dont worry; its actually much easier than that.
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 Administration (FDA) recommends eating 3 ounces of seafood – including shrimp – per serving. Knowing different shrimp sizes helps ensure a successful and delicious seafood experience.
So here is your guide to buying the perfect size of shrimp for any occasion:
HOW Many SHRIMP Are IN A POUND | WHAT Is The SHRIMP COUNT?
FAQ
How many shrimp are in 4 ounces?
How many pieces of shrimp is 3 ounces?
A 3-ounce serving of shrimp can range from 2 pieces (for colossal shrimp) to 18+ pieces (for tiny shrimp), depending on the size.
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?
However, shrimp count is the number of pieces in a pound of raw, uncooked shrimp. 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.
How many shrimp in a 3 ounce serving?
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: Grilling: Use Extra Jumbo (16/20) or larger. Smaller shrimp may fall through grates or overcook. Skewer if needed.
How much does a shrimp weigh?
As expected, colossal shrimp weigh the most per shrimp at 1 to 1.5 ounces each. Jumbo shrimp weigh about 0.75 ounces each. Then the weight per shrimp decreases as the shrimp get smaller in size. Miniature shrimp weigh only 0.1 ounces individually because it takes over 100 to make up one pound.
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 many people will one pound of shrimp feed? Which shrimp size is best for cooking? Extra Colasssal (U/10) and Super Colossal (U/12) shrimp are the largest shrimp sizes for cooking.
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.
How much does a Jumbo Shrimp weigh?
Jumbo shrimp weigh about 0.75 ounces each. Then the weight per shrimp decreases as the shrimp get smaller in size. Miniature shrimp weigh only 0.1 ounces individually because it takes over 100 to make up one pound. If you know the count per pound, you can also calculate the weight per shrimp by dividing 16 ounces per pound by the count per pound.