We all want to serve up a delicious entrée or appetizer to impress our guests. But, when it comes to choosing shrimp, the process can get a tad overwhelming. Which size shrimp should I buy? Should I get frozen or fresh shrimp? How many shrimp do I need for my cocktail party?
Dont panic—weve got you covered. This handy guide contains all the information you need to pick out your prawns for any occasion confidently. So get ready for fearless shopping and delicious shrimpy treats.
Shrimp are a delicious and versatile ingredient, but all that variety in sizing can be confusing when trying to visualize a portion or follow a recipe. If you’ve ever stared perplexed at shrimp counts like 16/20, 21/25 or 31/35, you’re not alone. So what does 1 ounce of shrimp actually look like on your plate or in a recipe? Let’s break it down.
How Shrimp Sizes Are Categorized
Shrimp are typically categorized by “count per pound”, which refers to how many individual shrimp make up one pound. The higher the count, the smaller the shrimp. For example:
- Colossal or Super Colossal: Under 10 shrimp per pound
- Jumbo: 11-15 shrimp per pound
- Extra Large: 16-20 shrimp per pound
- Large: 21-25 shrimp per pound
- Medium: 26-30 shrimp per pound
- Small: 31-35 shrimp per pound
- Miniature: 36-45 shrimp per pound
The ranges provide flexibility for natural variation in sizes. So shrimp labeled “large” can contain anywhere from 21 to 25 shrimp per pound.
Visualizing 1 Ounce of Shrimp
An average large shrimp weighs about 06 ounces So 1 ounce of shrimp is approximately 1-2 large shrimp.
For medium shrimp, 1 ounce would be about 3 shrimp Small or miniature shrimp would have around 5 shrimp per ounce And for jumbo shrimp, 1 ounce is typically a single shrimp.
The actual number can vary slightly based on factors like whether the shrimp is shelled and deveined But these general guidelines give a good sense of shrimp counts per ounce
Serving Size Guidelines
A typical shrimp serving size is about 3 ounces or 85 grams. This amounts to:
- Jumbo: 3 shrimp
- Large: 4-6 shrimp
- Medium: 9-10 shrimp
- Small: 12-15 shrimp
Again, the counts are estimates since shrimp sizes can vary. But this chart helps visualize typical per-serving shrimp amounts based on common labeling.
Helpful Tips for Cooking With Shrimp
When cooking with shrimp, keep these tips in mind:
- For even cooking, make sure shrimp are spread out in a single layer and not overcrowded.
- Don’t overcook shrimp – they take only 2-3 minutes to turn pink and become opaque.
- Adjust cooking times for larger vs smaller shrimp so they finish cooking at the same time.
- Shell-on shrimp weigh more than peeled, so account for extra weight in recipes.
- Shrimp contain cholesterol, so limit to 2-3 servings per week.
- Pair with heart-healthy ingredients like veggies and whole grains.
Buying the Best Shrimp for Your Needs
Consider how you want to use the shrimp when purchasing:
- Colossal and jumbo shrimp work well for shrimp cocktails and as a star ingredient.
- Medium shrimp are versatile for pasta, salads, tacos, stir fries and more.
- Small shrimp can be used in soups, fried rice, tempura, etc.
- Buy shell-on for shrimp boils or peel-and-eat recipes.
- Opt for peeled, deveined shrimp to save prep time.
No matter what the recipe calls for, knowing typical shrimp sizes and counts will help you shop confidently.
The Takeaway on Ounces and Counts
While shrimp sizing can seem confusing at first glance, just remember:
- Shrimp are categorized by counts per pound. Higher counts = smaller shrimp.
- 1 ounce is about 1-2 large shrimp, 3 medium shrimp, or 5 small shrimp.
- Adjust cooking times for even doneness when using a mix of sizes.
- Buy shrimp suited for how you plan to use them.
Arm yourself with this knowledge before your next trip to the seafood counter or recipe made with shrimp. You’ll be able to perfectly visualize how much shrimp you need.
For Shrimp Cocktails
The shrimp should be cooked for three to four minutes, depending on their size, before the shells are taken off or the veins are removed. 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 to three minutes, depending on how big they are, until the outside is golden brown and the middle is clear. Sauté or stir-fry over medium heat and add butter, olive, or margarine.
You can deep fry huge to extra-large shrimp if you butterfly them, or big to extra-small shrimp if you fry the whole thing.
The following are some of the frequently asked questions about shrimp count.
For Sous Vide Shrimp
Sous vide is the key to perfectly cooked shrimp every time. Don’t ever have to deal with rubbery, overcooked shrimp again; sous vide will let you get textures that you can’t get with other cooking methods. To get the best results, choose small to medium-sized shrimp for your sous vide dish so they don’t get too cooked.
Sizes of Shrimp
How do you know if a shrimp is big or small?
Shrimp are considered two counts larger with their heads on (head-on shrimp) and one count larger with just their shells on (unpeeled shrimp with no heads). Shrimp sizes can also be determined by descriptions on the bags, such as “Large” for large shrimp and “Jumbo” for even bigger shrimp.
What is the difference between prawn and shrimp?
Shrimp and prawns have plenty of similarities, but they are not the same animal. Their differences involve their biology. Shrimp bodies are encased in a sort of accordion shell, with a membrane between the segments. Prawns have a shell where each segment overlaps the one below it. There are no big differences between them when it comes to their nutritional value; they are both a good source of protein, and relatively low in calories.
How many ounces are in a pound of shrimp?
According to the FDA, the serving size for seafood, including shrimp, is 3 ounces, cooked. 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.
How do you know if a shrimp is a pound?
In this sizing system, there are two kinds of labels: larger shrimp like “colossal” or “jumbo” will often be marked as “U-10” to signify that 10 or fewer shrimp usually make up one pound. For smaller shrimp sizes, labels will be marked with a range like “ 26/30 ” to indicate the number of shrimp that will make up a pound.