How Many Ounces is One Shrimp? The Complete Guide to Shrimp Sizing

Shrimp is one of the most popular seafood options. With its sweet succulent meat shrimp makes for an easy and delicious meal or appetizer. But with so many shrimp sizes available, how do you know how much to buy?

In this comprehensive guide. we’ll cover everything you need to know about shrimp sizes including

• How shrimp sizes are determined
• Average shrimp sizes and counts
• How many shrimp come in an ounce
• How to calculate shrimp needed for recipes and servings
• Tips for buying, cooking, and serving different shrimp sizes

How Shrimp Sizes are Determined

Shrimp are typically categorized by “count”, which refers to the number of shrimp per pound. The higher the count, the smaller the shrimp. For example, “21-25 count” means there are 21 to 25 shrimp in one pound.

Here are the common shrimp size counts:

• Colossal: Under 10 shrimp per pound
• Jumbo: 11-15 shrimp per pound
• Extra Large: 16-20 shrimp per pound
• Large: 21-30 shrimp per pound
• Medium: 31-40 shrimp per pound
• Small: 41-70 shrimp per pound
• Miniature: Over 70 shrimp per pound

So the lower the count range, the bigger the shrimp size. Colossal shrimp around 8 shrimp per pound are the largest, while medium shrimp around 36-40 per pound are smaller.

How Many Shrimp in an Ounce by Size

An average serving size of shrimp is around 3-4 ounces. But how many shrimp does that equal depending on the size?

Here’s a breakdown of how many shrimp come in one ounce on average:

• Colossal (under 10 per pound): 1-2 shrimp per ounce
• Jumbo (11-15 per pound): 2-3 shrimp per ounce
• Extra Large (16-20 per pound): 3-4 shrimp per ounce
• Large (21-30 per pound): 4-5 shrimp per ounce
• Medium (31-40 per pound): 5-6 shrimp per ounce
• Small (41-70 per pound): 8-12 shrimp per ounce
• Miniature (over 70 per pound): 12-15 shrimp per ounce

As you can see, the larger the shrimp, the fewer come in an ounce. Jumbo shrimp may have 2-3 per ounce, while smaller shrimp have more like 10-12 in an ounce.

Calculating Shrimp Needs for Recipes

When a recipe calls for a certain shrimp size, use the above guidance on shrimp per ounce to determine how much you need.

For example, if a recipe calls for:

• 1⁄2 pound of large shrimp (25 per pound), that’s about 16-20 shrimp
• 1 pound of medium shrimp (36 per pound), that’s around 30-35 shrimp
• 8 ounces of miniature shrimp (90 per pound), that’s about 80-90 shrimp

You can also determine amounts for servings. If you want 3-4 ounce servings, plan for:

• Large shrimp: 12-16 shrimp per serving
• Medium shrimp: 15-20 shrimp per serving
• Small shrimp: 24-36 shrimp per serving

Buy a little extra since some weight will be lost during cooking and peeling.

Buying and Cooking Different Shrimp Sizes

• Colossal and Jumbo: Best for shrimp cocktails, grilling, and dishes where the shrimp is the star. Cooks quickly, in 2-3 minutes.

• Extra Large and Large: Versatile size great for appetizers, pastas, tacos, and more. Cooks in 1-2 minutes.

• Medium: All-purpose size ideal for salads, stir fries, skewers, and bowls. Cooks in 1-2 minutes.

• Small: Best used in bites, dips, soup, sandwiches. Cooks very fast, in 30 seconds to 1 minute.

• Miniature: Ideal for shrimp salads, sauces, sprinkle garnish. Cooks in 30 seconds.

Buy shell-on shrimp when possible for maximum flavor and juice retention when cooking. Peel before eating unless the recipe specifies shell-on.

Shrimp Size Chart Summary

For easy reference, here is a shrimp size chart summarizing the counts, shrimp per ounce, and best uses:

Shrimp Size	Count (per pound)	Shrimp per Ounce	Best Uses
Colossal	Under 10	1-2	Appetizers, shrimp cocktail
Jumbo	11-15	2-3	Grilling, main dishes
Extra Large	16-20	3-4	Stir fry, pasta, tacos
Large	21-30	4-5	Salads, pasta, skewers
Medium	31-40	5-6	Versatile for most dishes
Small	41-70	8-12	Salads, soup, sandwiches
Miniature	Over 70	12-15	Garnish, salad topping

Keep this handy shrimp size guide in mind when buying, prepping, and cooking shrimp. Understanding the differences in shrimp sizes will help ensure you pick the right shrimp for your desired use and flavor.

Frequently Asked Shrimp Sizing Questions

How is shrimp size affected when the head and shell is removed?

Shrimp sizes are determined when the head and shell are still on. Removing the head and shell reduces the weight, so a shrimp will be approximately one size smaller once peeled and deveined.

For example, colossal shrimp with the heads on would be considered extra large once peeled. Jumbo shrimp with heads would be large shrimp once peeled.

Why do my shrimp seem smaller after cooking?

It’s normal for shrimp to appear slightly smaller after cooking. Just like other proteins, they shrink a bit and lose some moisture in the cooking process.

Well-sourced, fresh shrimp will have less shrinkage versus lower quality shrimp with added water weight.

How much shrimp is one serving?

The recommended serving size is 3-4 ounces of shrimp, which provides an excellent source of protein and nutrients. Depending on the size, 3-4 ounces is about:

• Colossal: 3-5 shrimp
• Jumbo: 5-8 shrimp
• Large: 8-12 shrimp
• Medium: 10-15 shrimp

Can you eat shrimp daily? Is it healthy?

Shrimp can certainly be part of a healthy diet. It provides lean protein, vitamins, and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Eating 4-5 servings of 3 ounces per week is considered safe and beneficial.

Moderating portion sizes to 4-6 ounces daily at maximum is ideal. There is no harm in enjoying properly cooked, high quality shrimp on a regular basis.

How do you know which size shrimp to buy?

Consider how you want to use the shrimp. Larger Colossal, Jumbo, and Extra Large shrimp make impressive appetizers, while Medium and Small are great for pastas, salads, and bowls. Buy a versatile Medium or Large size if using for multiple recipes.

Also think about the shrimp flavor and texture you prefer. Larger shrimp have a sweeter, more succulent taste and texture. If you want a more tender bite, opt for bigger shrimp.

No matter which size you select, choosing fresh, sustainable shrimp ensures the best eating experience. With this complete guide to shrimp sizing, you can pick the perfect shrimp for every occasion with confidence.