What does “26/30” mean? This guide will teach you how to read shrimp sizes, help you figure out what size and number of shrimp you need for your recipe, and give you ideas for cooking.
Decoding Shrimp Sizes How Many Shrimp are in 3 Ounces?
Shrimp is one of the most beloved seafoods, but buying the right amount can be tricky with all the different shrimp sizes and counts. When a recipe calls for 3 oz of shrimp, how many individual shrimp will you actually get? Let’s decode shrimp sizes so you’ll know exactly what to expect from your 3 oz serving.
The key is understanding how shrimp are labeled and sold in the U.S. market. Rather than relying on vague size names like small medium or large shrimp packages list the number of individual shrimp per pound. This shrimp count tells you the approximate size.
For example, shrimp labeled as “21/25” means there will be 21 to 25 shrimp in one whole pound. The higher the numbers, the smaller the shrimp. “16/20” indicates bigger shrimp than “31/35” (which are smaller).
Knowing the count per pound, we can calculate how many shrimp make up 3 oz by dividing a pound (16 oz) into 3 oz portions
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For large or jumbo shrimp labeled 16/20 per pound, 3 oz would contain around 5 to 7 individual shrimp.
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Smaller 31/35 shrimp would be around 10 to 12 per 3 oz.
So for an average package of 16/20 to 21/25 shrimp, you can expect approximately 5 to 7 shrimp per 3 oz serving. Each individual shrimp is roughly 1⁄2 oz. Some key size guidelines:
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Jumbo (16/20 or lower): 5-7 per 3 oz
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Large (21/25 to 26/30): 6-9 per 3 oz
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Medium (36/40 to 41/50): around 9-12 per 3 oz
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Small (51/60 or higher): approximately 10-15 per 3 oz
While shrimp counts give a good estimate, actual sizes can vary a bit. And different sellers may label sizes differently. But the takeaway is: higher count means smaller shrimp and lower count means larger shrimp.
Check the package details instead of marketing terms like jumbo or colossal which aren’t standardized across brands. The count per pound gives you the real shrimp facts.
Beyond size, make sure your shrimp looks fresh – firm and clear, not mushy or discolored. Smell for a sweet, briny (not fishy) ocean scent. Freshness trumps size any day!
When preparing shrimp, you have options like peel-on or peeled, shell-on or shelled. Leaving shells on helps retain moisture for cooking methods like grilling or sautéing. Go shell-off for dishes where shrimp is cut into pieces or when easy eating is desired.
Some serving suggestions depending on shrimp size:
- Jumbo: Grilled, skewers, baked
- Large: Stir fries, kabobs, pasta
- Medium: Salad, tacos, soup
- Small: Appetizers, sandwiches, shrimp toast
No matter which size you cook, properly thawed and handled shrimp cooks quickly: just 2-3 minutes per side when grilling or sautéing over high heat. Don’t overcook!
For the perfect portion, remember the hearty jumbo shrimp you see in appetizer photos may actually be less than 10 shrimp for 3 oz. Check shrimp counts, understand the size you’re getting, and enjoy your next fabulous shrimp dish.
Do Head-On or Unpeeled Shrimp Affect Shrimp Counts?
According to Louisiana Direct Seafood’s Handbook, shrimp are two counts larger with the head on and 1 count larger with the shells. So, say you buy U/15 shrimp with the heads and shells on. Once the heads are removed, they’ll weigh in two steps smaller at 21/25 shrimp per pound, and when peeled, they’ll be 26/30’s.
When I buy shrimp, I usually leave the shells on because they keep the meat juicy and give the shrimp a great flavor. So, when I go shopping, I base my serving sizes on the shrimp that are next to the smallest on the chart based on the label’s count.
How Big is a Standard Shrimp Serving?
The FDA lists the serving size for cooked seafood, including shrimp, as 3 ounces. I’ve listed the approximate recommended counts per serving in the table above.
As with any rule, you should test it and make changes based on how hungry your guests are and the food you’re serving. Most of the time, you can get away with a lower price for an appetizer, especially if you’re serving other food with it. If shrimp are the main course, you might round up.
Honestly, rounding up is common here. Our love of shrimp is strong!
Sizes of Shrimp
FAQ
How many pieces of shrimp are in 3 ounces?
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Common Sizing Term (Varies)
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Shrimp Count Per Pound
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Approx. Count Per 3 oz Serving
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Medium Large
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36/40
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9-10 shrimp
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Medium
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41/50
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10-12 shrimp
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Small
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51/60
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12-15 shrimp
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Extra Small
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61/70
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15-17 shrimp
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How many pieces is 4 oz of shrimp?
What do 3 oz shrimp look like?
How many grams is 3 oz of shrimp?
How many shrimp are in a 3 ounce serving?
For example, “jumbo” shrimp may be 16 count, meaning each weighs 1 ounce. “Large” shrimp are usually 31/40 count, which means 31 to 40 shrimp make up 1 pound. This means there are around two or three shrimp per ounce in weight, which would mean six to nine shrimp in a 3-ounce serving.
How many ounces of shrimp are in a pound?
Of the average shrimp size that is commonly eaten, 3 ounces of shrimp is usually four or five pieces of shrimp. This shrimp, labeled 21/25, averages 23 shrimp per pound. There is one other common labeling of shrimp, the 41/50 label. On average, shrimp labeled this way comes 45 shrimp to the pound. There are 16 ounces in a pound.
How many ounces of shrimp should a person eat?
Instead of counting, it may be easier to measure them in ounces or by cups. A standard serving of shrimp is 3 ounces. For an appetizer, serve 6-8 small shrimp per person. For an entree, serve 15-20 small shrimp per person. Sauteing is the most popular way to cook small shrimp; they can also be boiled, grilled, or baked.
How many calories are in a 3 oz serving of shrimp?
According to the USDA Food Data Central, there are 84 calories in a 3 oz serving of shrimp, although of course, this could change depending on how your shrimp is cooked and if there are other ingredients added to it.