The size of shrimp can make or break your recipe. To make sure you have enough, you should also remember how many shrimp are in a pound.
Lucky for you, the seafood experts at North Coast Seafoods can help you finally figure out how big a shrimp is. Consider this your ultimate guide to shrimp sizes!.
As a seafood lover, I’m always seeking out the most tender, juicy, flavorful shrimp to toss into my favorite dishes. While small shrimp have their purpose in salads and appetizers, when it comes to an entree I want the biggest, meatiest shrimp available. But what exactly constitutes the largest shrimp sizes?
In this article, I’ll walk through the different grading scales for shrimp sizes, from small to jumbo to colossal. You’ll learn exactly what the numbers and counts mean, how big the shrimp are in each grade, the best cooking methods, and what recipes each size works best in Let’s dive into the world of oversized shrimp!
Shrimp Sizes and Grading Scales
Shrimp sizes are typically measured by a count of how many shrimp there are per pound. You’ve probably seen those plastic bags labeled with numbers like “16/20” or “21/25.” This system can be confusing, but here’s what it actually means:
- The first number represents the minimum number of shrimp in a 1 lb bag
- The second number is the maximum number of shrimp per pound
So for a bag marked “16/20”, you could expect at least 16 shrimp up to 20 shrimp within that 1 lb package. The lower the numbers, the bigger the shrimp size.
Some other key shrimp size grades
- 31/35 or 31/40 – Small
- 26/30 – Medium
- 21/25 – Large
- 16/20 – Jumbo
- 13/15 or 8/12 – Colossal or Super Colossal
Now let’s look at what each of these shrimp size categories means in more detail.
Small Shrimp (36/45 per pound)
On the smaller end, you’ll see shrimp sized from about 36 up to 100 per pound. These are called small or popcorn shrimp. At this tiny size, you get up to 45 shrimp per 3 ounce serving. The shrimp are about 0.2 ounces each.
Small shrimp have a mild flavor and tend to overcook quickly. They work well for shrimp appetizers like shrimp cocktail, seafood salads, or dips. Avoid cooking them too long or they become rubbery.
Medium Shrimp (26/30 per pound)
Moving up a size, medium shrimp range from about 26 to 30 per pound. You’ll get around 8 to 10 shrimp per serving, with each shrimp weighing approximately 1/3 ounce.
Medium shrimp have a nice balance of flavor and size. Their moderate cooking time makes them ideal for stir fries, fritters, and pasta dishes like shrimp scampi.
Large Shrimp (21/25 per pound)
Now we’re getting to the “large” shrimp category, which includes counts of 21 to 25 shrimp per pound. These jumbos give you 5 to 7 big shrimp per serving, each around 1/2 ounce in size.
Large shrimp hold up well on the grill or sautéed. They can be the star ingredient in appetizers, tacos, salads, and more thanks to their hearty size.
Jumbo Shrimp (16/20 per pound)
Once you hit that 16/20 range, you’ve reached true jumbo shrimp territory. These shrimp equate to just 4 to 5 per serving, making them extra large at about 3/4 ounce each.
Jumbo shrimp are ideal for shrimp cocktails, coconut shrimp, or scampi. Their substantial size makes them perfect as an appetizer or entree. Jumbo shrimp need a slightly longer cooking time, but reward you with tons of sweet meat.
Colossal Shrimp (13/15 per pound)
Colossal shrimp weigh in at a whopping 13 to 15 shrimp per pound. You may also see them labeled as “extra jumbo.” At this mammoth size, you’ll get approximately 3 colossal shrimp per serving. Each shrimp is around an ounce.
The colossal shrimp’s large, juicy texture is heavenly when grilled, broiled, or on skewers. They take some extra cooking time but deliver incredible flavor. Colossal shrimp make an amazing, decadent appetizer.
Super Colossal Shrimp (8/12 per pound)
Finally, we reach the crème de la crème of shrimp sizes: super colossal. As you may have guessed, these are the biggest shrimp available. Count per pound is just 8 to 12 jumbo shrimp.
You can expect to get only 1 to 3 super colossal shrimp per serving. Each massive shrimp weighs in at 1.5 to 2 ounces – that’s almost the size of a small lobster tail!
Super colossal shrimp are indulgent enough to serve as the entire meal. Stuff and bake them, throw them on the barbecue or serve them chilled with cocktail sauce for a shrimp lover’s dream.
Cooking Methods for Large Shrimp
Big shrimp need a little extra care when cooking compared to their smaller cousins. Here are some top cooking tips:
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Large shrimp have a longer cooking time, sometimes up to 5 minutes more. Resist the urge to rush it.
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Brining jumbo and colossal shrimp in saltwater for 30 minutes guarantees juicy, plump results.
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Grilling, broiling, baking, sautéing, and barbecuing all allow the big shrimp flavors to shine through.
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Skewer colossal and super colossal shrimp for perfect portion control and easy flipping.
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Stuffing jumbo shrimp with crabmeat or spices takes the flavor over the top.
No matter how you cook them, have a little patience and let the larger shrimp sizes cook low and slow. This seals in all their natural sweetness.
Best Recipes for Jumbo, Colossal & Super Colossal Shrimp
Now for the best part – what recipes really let these big boys shine? Here are some of my favorites:
- Shrimp cocktail – Chilled jumbo shrimp with zesty cocktail sauce
- Coconut shrimp – Colossal shrimp coated in a crispy coconut breading
- Shrimp skewers – Alternate jumbo shrimp with veggies on skewers for the grill
- Cajun shrimp pasta – Sautéed colossal shrimp served over linguine
- Shrimp tacos – Grilled jumbo shrimp makes for hearty tacos
- Baked stuffed shrimp – Super colossal shrimp overflowing with crab and cheese
- Barbecue shrimp – Smoky, spicy char-grilled super colossal shrimp
As you can see, there are so many options to highlight the biggest, meatiest shrimp in all their glory. Just adjust cooking times and quantities based on the shrimp size.
The Takeaway on Oversized Shrimp
Part of my passion for cooking is seeking out the freshest, juiciest ingredients – and shrimp is no exception. When only jumbo, colossal or super colossal shrimp will do, use this guide to pick the right size:
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Check the count per pound on packaging – the lower the number, the bigger the shrimp.
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Allow extra cooking time for jumbo and colossal shrimp to reach their full potential.
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Pick recipes that make the most of the extra-large shrimp size like skewers, tacos and pasta.
The next time that craving for huge shrimp hits, you’ll be prepared to wow your family or dinner guests. Just be ready for some serious dipping into that cocktail sauce! Satisfy your inner shrimp lover with a colossal seafood feast.
How to Determine Shrimp Sizes
You may have seen shrimp bags at the store that have numbers on them like U/20, 16/20, 21/25, or 31/40. You can use these numbers to find out how big the shrimp are and how many are in a bag.
The slash between numbers is simply the range of shrimp in a pound. There would be 16 to 20 shrimp per pound, 21 to 25 shrimp per pound, and 31 to 40 shrimp per pound in those cases. A “U” in the count means there are “under” that amount of shrimp in a pound. So for U/20s there would be fewer than 20 shrimp per pound.
When you buy shrimp, the bigger the shrimp, the smaller the number on the bag or in the deli case where the fresh seafood is kept.
If you’ve ever looked at a shrimp size chart, you’ve seen a handful of different sizes mentioned. Some shrimp size charts include only five sizes while others include upwards of 12.
That’s why, when you need a certain size of shrimp for a recipe, you should pay more attention to the number of shrimp per pound than the size term.
We’ll only be focusing on a handful of the common shrimp sizes from smallest to largest.
These tiny shrimp are known for having a subtle flavor and cooking quickly. They often come in bags 51/60, 71/90 or even 91/100. You want to make sure not to overcook small shrimp or they’ll become rubbery. These small shrimp are best used in recipes like popcorn shrimp, seafood or shrimp salads and dips, or stuffings.
This popular size comes in at 41/50 per pound. They still cook relatively quickly so they’re great for shrimp stir fry, seafood boils, or shrimp fritters.
Most of the time, larger shrimp cost 31/40 per pound and are used in shrimp appetizers, shrimp alfredo, shrimp tacos, and paella. Large shrimp are a great way to add protein to these dishes without being the main ingredient.
Big shrimp are the star of any shrimp dish, like shrimp cocktail or coconut shrimp that makes your mouth water. These bigger shrimp usually are available as 16/20, 21/25, or 26/30 per pound. Jumbo shrimp make the perfect appetizer or entrée considering 5-6 shrimp per person can be filling.
Try these with cajun grilled shrimp or a classic shrimp scampi.
Shrimp in this size range are also sometimes referred to as extra jumbo 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.
Considered the mother of all shrimp, these super-sized shrimp are sold as 8/12, 6/8, or U/6 per pound. These exceptionally large shrimp are best for baked stuffed shrimp or barbeque shrimp. The recommended serving size is only 1-3 shrimp because they’re so massive. This is about the size of a prawn or lobster tail, so if you love shrimp, these are perfect for you.
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9 INCH Tiger Prawn
What are shrimp counts & sizes?
That’s why we’re here to help break down everything about shrimp counts and sizes! The shrimp count on a bag of wild-caught U.S. shrimp is the number that denotes how many shrimp are approximately in the bag “per pound.”
What is the largest species of shrimp?
Shrimp are a type of crustacean that come in a variety of species and sizes. Some of the biggest species of shrimp ever recorded include the Tiger Shrimp, Mantis Shrimp, and Freshwater Prawn. The Tiger Shrimp, also known as the Giant Tiger Prawn or Black Tiger Shrimp, is one of the largest species of shrimp in the world.
How big is a pound of shrimp?
While the size of shrimp at each market is different, there is a relative range available in most stores. Most shrimp are weighed with shells on, though, Mecir mentioned that some markets, like Dorian’s, will also offer peeled, deveined shrimp at their net weight. Colossal Shrimp: Around 8–10 colossal shrimp make up a pound.
Which shrimp size is best for cooking?
Extra Colasssal (U/10) and Super Colossal (U/12) shrimp are the largest shrimp sizes for cooking. But, when buying shrimp, be sure to look at the counts per pound. Colossal shrimp can be labeled as such, but have a count per pound of 16 to 20, actually making it Extra Jumbo shrimp.