Hey there! Planning a party and wondering about shrimp portions? I’ve been in the catering business for years, and let me tell ya – getting the shrimp count right can be tricky! But don’t worry, I’m gonna break it down real simple for ya.
Quick Answer
For a cocktail party with multiple appetizers. plan on
- 4-6 shrimp per person if serving other appetizers
- 8-10 shrimp per person if it’s shrimp-focused
- 2-3 oz cocktail sauce per person
Detailed Shrimp Portions Guide
Event Type Breakdown
Here’s what we recommend at Red Table Meats for different occasions:
| Event Type | Shrimp Per Person |
|---|---|
| Cocktail Party | 8-10 pieces |
| Wedding Reception | 10-12 pieces |
| Corporate Event | 8-10 pieces |
| Holiday Gathering | 10-12 pieces |
| Formal Dinner (appetizer) | 5-6 pieces |
| Backyard BBQ | 12-15 pieces |
| All-Shrimp Buffet | 15+ pieces |
Calculating Total Amounts
Listen up! Here’s a super easy way to figure out your total
- Count your guests
- Multiply by recommended pieces per person
- Divide by shrimp count per pound
- Add 10% extra (trust me, people LOVE shrimp!)
Example: For 50 guests at 5 shrimp each
- 50 × 5 = 250 shrimp needed
- If using 21/25 count shrimp, you’ll need about 10-11 pounds
Shopping Tips
Choosing the Right Shrimp
I always tell my customers to
- Buy raw, shell-on shrimp (better flavor!)
- Look for 21/25 or U/15 count per pound
- Choose deveined if possible
- Make sure tails are still on (makes perfect handles!)
Size Matters
Here’s what those numbers mean:
- U/15: Under 15 per pound (Colossal)
- 16/20: Jumbo
- 21/25: Large (perfect for cocktail parties!)
- 26/30: Medium-Large
Preparation and Serving
My Foolproof Cooking Method
- Fill pot with water, salt, and optional aromatics (lemon, peppercorns)
- Bring to boil
- Remove from heat
- Add shrimp
- Cover and let sit 4-7 minutes
- Ice bath immediately
Serving Ideas
Ya know what makes shrimp cocktail extra special? Presentation! Try these:
- Ring around a martini glass
- Lined up on crushed ice
- Individual shot glasses with sauce
- Traditional shrimp cocktail platter
Pro Tips from Years of Experience
- Temperature Control
- Keep shrimp over ice during service
- Replace ice as needed
- Pre-chill serving platters
- Sauce Selection
We always offer:
- Classic cocktail sauce
- Spicy remoulade
- Lemon wedges
- Extra horseradish on side
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t overcook (they get rubbery!)
- Never serve warm
- Don’t prepare too far ahead
- Don’t skimp on portions
Budget Considerations
Wanna save some cash without sacrificing quality?
- Buy frozen raw shrimp (usually cheaper)
- Peel yourself instead of pre-peeled
- Make your own cocktail sauce
- Watch for sales at local markets
Final Thoughts
Remember, it’s always better to have a bit too much than not enough! Your guests will definitely appreciate having plenty of these tasty little guys to munch on. And hey, leftover shrimp ain’t never been a problem at any party I’ve catered!
Need more party planning tips? Drop me a comment below – I’d love to help ya out with more specific recommendations based on your event!
Happy hosting, and may your shrimp cocktail be the talk of the party!
The Sauce
For my cocktail sauce, I keep things relatively simple: I mix ketchup with preserved horseradish, along with some fresh lemon juice, black pepper, and salt. If Im being fancy, Ill also add a little ground coriander seed and granulated garlic, but those are totally optional, as are any other flavorings you can think up. For the horseradish, the store-bought jarred stuff works well, but if youre up to making a homemade batch with fresh horseradish root, thats even better.
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Now, if youll excuse me, Ill be on a beach, listening to Katy Perry and finishing off this plate of shrimp cocktail. Dont judge.
Shrimp Cocktail, Step by Step
We start by making the court bouillon, a lightly acidic and aromatic stock. I flavor mine with diced celery, onion, and fennel, along with sprigs of fresh herbs, like parsley and tarragon. Theres some flexibility here: Its fine if you dont have fennel, or if you want to add some leeks either in addition to or in place of the onion. The key is just to have a fresh-tasting, aromatic broth; the exact ingredients arent set in stone. I like to add some sliced peeled ginger as well, since it has a way of perking up shellfish with a subtle hit of zestiness.
Then I add dry white wine (dont worry too much about what type, as long as it isnt sweet) for flavor and acidity, as well as some freshly squeezed lemon juice.
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Weve peeled the shrimp, but theres no reason not to capture some of their flavor in the broth as well, so in go the shrimp shells!
I bring the whole thing to a simmer for about 20 minutes—just long enough to extract flavor from the aromatics and shrimp shells, but not so long that everything loses its freshness. Then I strain out the solids and add cold water to quickly cool the broth down.
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Next, I grab the shrimp, which have been sitting in the refrigerator with their dusting of salt and baking soda, and add them to the broth. The shrimp are then gently brought up to temperature in the borth, being careful not to let the liquid go much over 150°F, which is the perfect temperature to cook them without overcooking them.
As soon as the shrimp are pink, its time to take them out, spread them on a rimmed baking sheet and chill them as quickly as possible. As soon as theyre cool, you can transfer them to an airtight container to chill further without risk of them drying out.
The Best Shrimp Cocktail | How To Make
FAQ
How many pounds of shrimp per person for shrimp cocktail?
The answer largely depends on two factors: how large each piece of shrimp is and how you are using the seafood in your meal. A good rule of thumb is to plan for a quarter-pound per person for an appetizer, or a half-pound for a main course.
Is 1 lb of shrimp enough for 4 people?
The rule of thumb when you are buying shrimp is that you should get 1 pound of raw and unpeeled shrimp per person or, if you are buying it cooked and peeled, 1/2 -1/3 pound per person. The number of shrimp per pound will vary by the size of shrimp.
How much shrimp do I need for 8 people?
How much shrimp should I buy for a large gathering or seafood boil? Plan on 1/2 to 1 pound of shrimp per person for large gatherings or seafood boils.Apr 1, 2025
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 |
How much shrimp do you need for a cocktail?
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. Most shrimp cocktails are made with boiled shrimp that are then chilled and served with a cocktail sauce. You can buy cocktail sauce or make your own.
How much shrimp do you need for a party?
For a party of four, you’ll need about 1/2 pound of shrimp. If the shrimp are small, you can probably get away with 1/2 a dozen per person. If the shrimp are larger, you’ll need 1/4 pound per person. If you’re making shrimp cocktail for a crowd, plan on 1/2 pound of shrimp per person. You can buy shrimp by the pound or by the dozen.
How many shrimp per pound?
If the shrimp are small, you can probably get away with 1/2 a dozen per person. If the shrimp are larger, you’ll need 1/4 pound per person. If you’re making shrimp cocktail for a crowd, plan on 1/2 pound of shrimp per person. You can buy shrimp by the pound or by the dozen.
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 much shrimp should a guest eat?
While appetizer portions call for 2-3 medium shrimp per guest, main course servings require a generous 8 ounces to satisfy hungry diners. Smart hosts recognize that the occasion dictates the portion size. Light cocktail hours might need modest 4-ounce servings, yet dinner parties demand substantial half-pound portions per guest.
How many shrimp should I buy for a large gathering?
Shrimp size significantly impacts portion planning. For example, a serving might consist of 2-3 colossal shrimp, 5-6 jumbo shrimp, or 10-12 medium shrimp. Always consider the size when calculating how many pieces to serve per person. How much shrimp should I buy for a large gathering or seafood boil?