Hey there, shrimp lovers! I’ve been making shrimp cocktails for years, and let me tell ya – figuring out how much shrimp to buy can be tricky. But don’t worry, I’m gonna break it down real simple for you today!
Quick Answer
For shrimp cocktail appetizers, plan on 5-6 large shrimp per person. Here’s a handy guide for how many pounds to buy
- 2 people: 1⁄4 to 1⁄3 pound
- 4 people: 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 pound
- 6 people: 3⁄4 to 1 pound
- 8-10 people: 11⁄4 to 11⁄2 pounds
- 12-15 people: 2 pounds
What Size Shrimp Should You Use?
When it comes to shrimp cocktail, bigger is definitely better (within reason!) Here’s what I recommend
Best Sizes for Shrimp Cocktail:
- Jumbo (16/20 count): My top pick – these babies are impressive!
- Extra Large (21/25 count): Also great, still plenty big
- Large (26/30 count): Minimum size I’d recommend
Pro tip: Avoid anything smaller than 26/30 count – they just don’t have the same wow factor!
Understanding Shrimp Counts
Lemme break down those weird numbers you see on shrimp packages:
- The numbers (like 16/20) tell you how many shrimp you get per pound
- Lower numbers = bigger shrimp
- “U” means “under” (like U/15 means less than 15 per pound)
Size Chart:
| Size Name | Count per Pound |
|---|---|
| Super Colossal | U/12 |
| Colossal | U/15 |
| Extra Jumbo | 16/20 |
| Jumbo | 21/25 |
| Extra Large | 26/30 |
Tips for Buying & Preparing
What to Look For:
- Fresh-looking, firm shrimp
- Mild ocean smell (not fishy!)
- No black spots or discoloration
- Wild-caught if possible (tastier than farmed)
Preparation Steps:
- Thaw frozen shrimp in fridge overnight
- Peel and devein (unless already done)
- Cook in seasoned boiling water 2-3 mins
- Ice bath immediately after cooking
- Pat dry before serving
My Favorite Serving Ideas
Y’all, presentation is everything! Here’s how I like to serve mine:
- Arrange around a martini glass rim
- Layer on crushed ice
- Add lemon wedges and fresh parsley
- Serve with homemade cocktail sauce
Quick Cocktail Sauce Recipe:
- 1 cup ketchup
- 2-4 tbsp horseradish
- Squeeze of lemon
- Dash of Worcestershire
- Hot sauce (optional)
Extra Tips from My Kitchen
- Always buy a little extra – better to have leftovers than run out!
- Leftover cooked shrimp keeps 3-4 days in fridge
- Shell-on shrimp have better flavor but more work
- Don’t skimp on the ice for serving – keeps everything fresh
Budget-Friendly Options
If you’re watching your wallet but still wanna impress:
- Go for 26/30 count instead of bigger sizes
- Watch for sales at your local seafood market
- Consider frozen over fresh (often cheaper)
- Mix sizes (bigger ones on outside, smaller inside)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Trust me, I’ve made these mistakes so you don’t have to:
- Overcooking (makes ’em rubber bands!)
- Not enough ice in serving platter
- Buying too small shrimp
- Forgetting to devein
- Using old cocktail sauce
Need More Help?
If you’re still not sure how much to buy, here’s my rule of thumb: When in doubt, add an extra 1/4 pound to your calculation. Better to have a few extra shrimp than to run out mid-party!
Remember, these are just guidelines – you know your crowd best. Got big eaters? Add more. Serving lots of other apps? Maybe scale back a bit.
Prep Time: 24 mins
I am partial to “16/20” size shrimp because it’s the perfect “peel and eat” size but use any kind of shrimp you like. 16/20 means there are 16-20 per pound of this size shrimp. You can use the larger “U-10”, meaning there are “under 10” (9 or fewer) pieces per pound. The key to a tender result is cooling the liquid off before adding the shrimp. It’s like easing them into a warm bath instead of plunging them into a boiling one; they will emerge tender. Peel and serve almost room temperature for best results. The sauce is a classic. There are many horseradish products at the store; has to be the smooth “creamed” ones for best results with this sauce.
Shrimp:
1 large lemon, cut into ¼ inch rounds
1 small bunch parsley, washed
2 pounds 16/20”, meaning 32-40 pieces, shrimp, fresh or defrosted, in the shells
Cocktail sauce:
1 large clove garlic, grated
3 tablespoons creamy horseradish
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Zest and juice from 1 large lemon
Makes: 3-4 servings
- Preheat the oven to 450 F. Place the potato inside to bake.
- Cook the shrimp: Run a sharp paring knife down the length of the shrimps to devein them. In a large saucepan, create a “bath” for the shrimp by combining 2 ½ quarts water, lemon, parsley, peppercorns, bay leaves, 2 tablespoons salt and Tabasco. Stir to blend and bring to simmer. Remove from the heat and cool for a few minutes. Add the shrimp and allow them to sit in the liquid, off the heat, until they are cooked in the middle, 3-5 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove the shrimp and drain on a kitchen towel. Peel the shells. Refrigerate.
- Make the sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the ketchup, garlic, horseradish, olive oil, Worcestershire, hot sauce, garlic with the lemon zest and juice. Taste for seasoning. Refrigerate.
- Serve: Serve the sauce in a bowl for dunking on the side with the shrimp.
How to Boil Shrimp for Shrimp Cocktail
FAQ
How much shrimp per person for shrimp cocktail?
How much will 5 pounds of shrimp feed?
| Number of Guests | Shrimp Needed (Half lb/person) | Shrimp Needed (One lb/person) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 2.5 lbs | 5 lbs |
| 10 | 5 lbs | 10 lbs |
| 20 | 10 lbs | 20 lbs |
| 50 | 25 lbs | 50 lbs |
What size shrimp is good for cocktails?
Colossal Shrimp – These huge shrimp often come as 13/15 per pound or U/15 (less than 15 shrimp per pound). They are also great for a hearty shrimp cocktail or for shrimp skewers on the grill. They take a bit longer to cook but are super succulent and tender.
Is 2 pounds of shrimp enough for 4 people?
How much shrimp should I serve per person for a main course? For a main course, plan on serving about 8 ounces (1/2 pound) of shrimp per person.Apr 1, 2025
How many shrimp do you need for a shrimp cocktail?
As a general rule of thumb, you’ll need about 5-6 large shrimp per person for an appetizer-sized shrimp cocktail serving Larger shrimp are preferable over smaller shrimp for shrimp cocktails, as the larger size makes for an impressive presentation. Many shrimp are sold by a count per pound.
How much shrimp do you need for a party?
If you buy them by the pound, you’ll need about 2-3 pounds of shrimp for a party of 10-12 people. If you buy them by the dozen, you’ll need about 1/2-3/4 a pound per person.
How much shrimp do you need per person?
Purchase 1 pound per person for raw, unpeeled shrimp or ½ pound per person for cooked, peeled shrimp. Nature’s wisdom explains why: raw shrimp shrinks during cooking, releasing moisture. Appetizer portions need quarter-pound allotments per guest. Count calculations simplify party planning.
How many shrimp per pound?
Here are some common shrimp sizes: Extra Jumbo or U10: Under 10 shrimp per pound. Very large shrimp over 8 grams each. Jumbo or U12: Under 12 shrimp per pound. Large shrimp ideal for shrimp cocktail. Extra Large or 16-20: 16 to 20 shrimp per pound. Still a nice large shrimp. Large or 21-25: 21 to 25 shrimp per pound.
How much shrimp do you eat in a pot?
Cajun shrimp stew sings with small to medium shrimp (41-60 count), their sweet flesh complementing hearty potatoes and farm-fresh eggs. Traditional shrimp soup calls for 120 grams per bowl. A family-style pot with 2 pounds of shrimp feeds 6-8 hungry souls, averaging 4-5 ounces per person.
What size shrimp should I buy?
Majestic U/15 and 16/20 shrimp command attention in cocktail presentations and grilled dishes. Medium varieties (36/50) create harmony in pasta and stir-fries, while smaller sizes (51/60+) enhance salads, soups, and dips with delicate flavor. Thoughtful portion planning considers both presentation and purpose.