There is nothing more versatile for a dinner party than shrimp. As an appetizer, you could put it in a cold shrimp cocktail or on top of lettuce for a simple shrimp salad. For a hot main dish, you could use a recipe for shrimp scampi. There are limitless options, and plenty of tasty ideas to feed a crowd with this popular seafood pick.
Besides how to cook shrimp properly, one question that people often have about serving shrimp is how many shrimp should be given to each person at a dinner party. The answer is mostly based on two things: how big each shrimp is and what you’re making with the seafood. For a starter, you should plan on a quarter-pound per person and for a main course, you should plan on a half-pound per person. But, the answer gets a bit more specific when it comes to weighing out shrimp.
Shrimp is one of the most versatile and tasty seafood options perfect for entertaining and dinner parties. Their sweet, succulent taste appeals to most palates. But if you’re cooking up a shrimp feast, how many of the large, jumbo shrimp should you plan on serving per guest?
The number of jumbo shrimp you’ll need per serving depends on a few key factors:
- How you plan on serving the shrimp (appetizer, main dish, etc.)
- Whether other food will be served
- The overall size of the shrimp
This guide will walk through exactly how to determine the right shrimp portion sizes so you can shop, prep and serve up the perfect shrimp dinner.
Shrimp Serving Sizes for Appetizers vs. Main Dishes
As a general rule of thumb:
- For shrimp appetizers, plan on about 4-5 jumbo shrimp per person
- For shrimp as the main course, allow 8-12 jumbo shrimp per serving
These serving size ranges account for the fact that jumbo shrimp are the largest size category available Jumbo shrimp typically have a count of under 12 shrimp per pound The larger the shrimp, the fewer you need to make up a serving.
Of course serving shrimp as an appetizer means people will likely be eating other foods too. So you can get away with a smaller portion of around 4-5 shrimp.
For a main entrée where shrimp is the star of the plate, serve up larger portions of 8-12 jumbo shrimp to satisfy.
Factors that Determine Shrimp Portions
The exact amount of jumbo shrimp you should serve per guest can vary based on:
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Shrimp size – The larger the shrimp, the fewer needed per serving. Jumbo shrimp sizes can range from 8 to 12 count per pound.
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Other foods served – If shrimp is an appetizer or part of a buffet, smaller portions are fine. As the main dish, bump up the shrimp count.
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Appetite of guests – Big eaters or men may appreciate more generous 12 jumbo shrimp servings.
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Preparation method – Breaded or fried shrimp tends to be more filling than boiled. Adjust portions accordingly.
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Shell on or peeled – Leave shells on for apps, peel for main dishes. Shell weight reduces edible shrimp meat.
Consider the factors above when deciding how many jumbo shrimp to buy and serve per person. It’s better to have extras than not enough.
How to Calculate Shrimp Quantities for a Party
Figuring out how much shrimp to buy and prepare starts with determining:
- Number of guests
- Goal number of shrimp per serving
- Total shrimp needed (# guests x shrimp per serving)
For example, if you’re having 12 people over and want to serve 8 jumbo shrimp as a main course for each guest, you’d need:
12 guests x 8 shrimp per guest = 96 jumbo shrimp total
Round up on your shrimp count to allow for larger appetites or shell waste.
Next, check the “count per pound” on shrimp packages at your grocery store. If the jumbo shrimp packages say “10-12 count per pound”, then an 8 pound package should give you roughly 96 jumbo shrimp.
Always get a little extra, just in case. Leftover cooked shrimp keeps for 3-4 days refrigerated and is easy to use in other dishes like seafood pasta.
Tips for Cooking Jumbo Shrimp
To cook up plump, juicy jumbo shrimp for your dinner party:
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Buy fresh, raw shrimp – Check for firmness and clear eyes. Avoid cloudiness.
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Peel & devein – Use a paring knife to peel off shells. Cut along the back to remove the digestive vein.
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Pat dry – Dry shrimp thoroughly so sauces and seasonings adhere better for more flavor.
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Brush with oil – A light coat of oil keeps shrimp moist and tender.
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Season simply – Shrimp has a naturally sweet taste. Lemon, garlic, herbs and salt are perfect complements.
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Cook quickly – Jumbo shrimp overcooks fast. Grill, sauté or boil just 2-3 minutes until opaque.
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Chill promptly – Stop the cooking by plunging shrimp into an ice bath. Then drain and refrigerate.
Serving up tender, juicy jumbo shrimp is easy and impressive for parties and special dinners.
Serving Ideas for Jumbo Shrimp
Jumbo shrimp shines when served:
- Poached, chilled & paired with cocktail sauce
- Quickly sautéed in garlic butter
- Grilled with lemon and herbs
- Broiled with breadcrumbs and Parmesan
- Mixed into seafood pasta or risotto
- Tossed into a shrimp Louie salad
- Added to kebabs or skewers
- Stir fried with veggies and rice noodles
- Baked into casseroles or tacos
- Curried in coconut milk with peppers
- Piled high on shrimp cocktail platters
Set out a dipping sauce and garnishes like lemon wedges and parsley to let the shrimp flavor really pop.
Appetizer Ideas with Jumbo Shrimp
For appetizers, jumbo shrimp is perfect for:
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Chilled jumbo shrimp cocktail with lemon and cocktail sauce for dipping
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Skewered grilled shrimp with chimichurri sauce
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Seared coconut shrimp with pineapple dipping sauce
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Shrimp ceviche spooned over cucumber rounds
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Mini shrimp tostadas or tortilla cups
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Shrimp salad stuffed in endive leaves
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Shrimp and guacamole on mini tostadas
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Bacon wrapped jumbo shrimp
Keep appetizer portions around 4-5 jumbo shrimp per guest. You can offer a variety of easy, elegant shrimp appetizers.
Main Course Ideas Starring Jumbo Shrimp
When shrimp is the main event, consider these mouthwatering entrées:
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Garlic butter Tuscan shrimp with pasta
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Jambalaya or gumbo featuring jumbo shrimp
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Lemony Mediterranean baked shrimp orzo
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Cajun blackened jumbo shrimp with dirty rice
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Shrimp fajitas or quesadillas
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Shrimp pad thai or panang curry
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Surf and turf with filet mignon
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Shrimp scampi linguine
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Classic shrimp boil with potatoes and corn
For mains, allow 8-12 jumbo shrimp per person. Serve with rice, veggies or salad for a filling meal.
The possibilities are endless for fabulous shrimp dishes. Just adjust servings based on shrimp size and the menu. Follow these simple guidelines to determine how many large, jumbo shrimp to buy and serve per guest. Your party will be wowed by tasty shrimp appetizers and entrées.
Counting shrimp by weight is your best bet
Shrimp is usually sold and sorted by size, and they are often marked with names like “colossal,” “jumbo,” “extra large,” etc. But because there aren’t any real labeling standards, those labels aren’t always a good way to tell what the crustacean is really big or heavy. Therefore, a colossal shrimp in one grocery store might merely be considered jumbo in another seafood market.
“Count,” or the exact number of shrimp that make up a pound, is a much more accurate and consistent way to measure shrimp. If the number of shrimp per pound is high, the shrimp are small. If it is low, the shrimp are large. In the case of frozen shrimp, a 1-pound package label that says “25-30 count” means that there are between 25 and 30 shrimp in the package. On the other hand, a 1-pound package label that says “8-10 count” would mean that the shrimp inside are much bigger and weigh more per unit.
How Many Shrimp Are in A Pound | What Is The Shrimp Count
How many ounces of shrimp per person?
If shrimp is the main entrée, plan to use at least 4 ounces per person, raw (approximately 3 ounces cooked). Some people plan for 6 to 8 ounces per person to have plenty and be on the safe side. If your meal is similar to a shrimp boil where many other ingredients will be added, you can use safely use 4 ounces per person.
How many colossal shrimp per pound?
Colossal shrimp, which typically come in 8-12 count per pound, steal the spotlight in any dish and require careful consideration to ensure gastronomic delight for your guests. For this magnificent appetizer, it is recommended to serve 2-3 colossal shrimp per person.
How many people can eat a pound of shrimp?
Assuming you are purchasing cooked, deveined, and peeled shrimp, you can still assume 4 people per pound and then add some extra to have a little bit of leeway for servings. In this case, you have 10 people, so you need approximately 2.5 pounds of shrimp to cover them based on the table.
How many mini shrimp per pound?
Mini shrimp are the tiniest size of shrimp that’s available. A general serving of mini shrimp is between 60-70+count per pound. Just like small shrimp, it will be easier to measure them by ounces. You can count them if you’d like, and here is how many you will need: For an appetizer, use 8-10 mini shrimp per person.