How Much Protein is in a Jumbo Shrimp? A Detailed Look at This Nutritious Seafood

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Shrimp is a popular type of seafood that is enjoyed around the world. From shrimp cocktails and shrimp scampi to grilled shrimp skewers, this versatile ingredient adds delicious flavor and nutrition to many dishes But when looking at the nutritional breakdown of shrimp, one nutrient in particular stands out – protein

Shrimp provides an impressive amount of high-quality, complete protein in each serving But exactly how much protein is packed into a jumbo shrimp? And what are some of the other nutritional benefits this healthy seafood has to offer?

In this article, we’ll take a close look at the protein content and other nutrition facts for jumbo shrimp. We’ll compare the protein in jumbo shrimp to other sizes and types of shrimp. And we’ll discuss the many health benefits that make shrimp a smart addition to a balanced diet.

Protein Content in Jumbo Shrimp

First, let’s start by looking at how much protein is found in jumbo shrimp.

There are a few things to note when looking at the protein content:

The protein amount is typically provided for cooked shrimp. Raw shrimp has a bit less protein due to loss of moisture during cooking.
Protein content is given in grams per serving size. A common serving size for shrimp is 3 ounces or about 5-6 jumbo shrimp.
Protein content can vary slightly depending on the specific type and source of shrimp. But most nutrition info provided is based on farmed white shrimp.

With that in mind, here are some average protein amounts for jumbo shrimp:

3 ounces of jumbo shrimp contains about 28 grams of protein (providing 37% DV)
1 jumbo shrimp (18g) has approximately 5 grams of protein
100 grams of jumbo shrimp (about 5-6 shrimp) has roughly 24 grams of protein

So as you can see, jumbo shrimp provides a significant amount of protein – about a quarter of your daily protein needs in a 3 ounce serving. And each individual jumbo shrimp contains a sizable 5 grams of complete, high-quality protein.

Comparing Jumbo Shrimp to Other Shrimp Sizes

Jumbo shrimp are the largest size classification for shrimp. Though there is no standard size, jumbo shrimp generally weigh 16-20 count (16-20 shrimp per pound) or fewer.

Smaller shrimp have a little less protein content per shrimp, though the difference is minor. Here’s how the protein in jumbo shrimp compares to other common shrimp sizes:

Extra jumbo – These “colossal” shrimp are even bigger than standard jumbo, with around 10 or fewer per pound. Protein content is similar to jumbo shrimp.
Large – These weigh about 21-30 count per pound. Each large shrimp has around 4 grams of protein.
Medium – Typically 36-45 count per pound. Each medium shrimp contains about 3 grams of protein.
Small – Around 51-60 count per pound. Each small shrimp has approximately 2.5 grams of protein.

So while the protein amount goes down slightly for smaller shrimp, the differences are quite small. Even a petite shrimp still packs a good protein punch!

Protein Content of Shrimp vs. Other Seafood

Compared to other types of seafood, shrimp is one of the highest in terms of protein density. Ounce for ounce, shrimp provides more protein than most fish fillets or shellfish:

3 oz shrimp: 28g protein
3 oz salmon: 19g protein
3 oz tuna: 21g protein
3 oz halibut: 22g protein
3 oz crab: 17g protein
3 oz lobster: 18g protein

Shrimp has the added bonus of being very low in fat and calories compared to fattier fish like salmon. So shrimp provides an excellent protein boost without extra calories or unhealthy fats.

Complete Protein from Shrimp

Not only is shrimp high in protein, but it contains complete, high-quality protein. This means shrimp provides all nine essential amino acids that your body cannot make on its own.

Complete animal proteins like shrimp are more beneficial than incomplete plant proteins. Your body can fully utilize and absorb the protein from shrimp more readily than from plant sources.

Just a 3 ounce serving of shrimp provides over 100% of the daily value for tryptophan, an essential amino acid involved in growth and development. Shrimp is also an excellent source of leucine and lysine, amino acids important for building muscle tissue.

Health Benefits of Shrimp Protein

Beyond just being a source of protein, regularly eating shrimp protein can provide some great health benefits:

Muscle growth and retention – Complete protein helps build and maintain muscle, especially when paired with strength training. This is important for healthy aging.
Fat loss – Protein is more satiating than carbs or fat, so it keeps you feeling full. This can curb overeating and support fat loss.
Heart health – Despite higher cholesterol content, shrimp does not negatively impact cholesterol levels or heart health.
Brain function – Shrimp contains omega-3s and the antioxidant astaxanthin which support brain and nervous system health.
Strong bones – The protein, magnesium, selenium, and vitamin D in shrimp helps bones stay strong and prevent osteoporosis.
Immune function – Shrimp provides selenium, zinc, antioxidant carotenoids, and vitamin B12 – all nutrients that boost immunity.

Other Nutrients in Shrimp

In addition to its impressive protein content, shrimp provides a variety of other important vitamins and minerals:

Vitamin B12 – A 3 ounce serving of shrimp contains 59% DV for vitamin B12, a nutrient that supports nerve transmission and red blood cell formation.
Selenium – Shrimp is an excellent source of the antioxidant mineral selenium with 41% DV per serving.
Phosphorus – Shrimp provides 16% DV for phosphorus in each serving, a mineral that aids muscle and nerve signaling.
Choline – Shrimp contains high levels of the nutrient choline, which supports brain, liver, and cardiovascular health.
Iodine – Shrimp provides iodine which is important for proper thyroid function and metabolism.
Astaxanthin – This antioxidant carotenoid gives shrimp its reddish-pink color and provides protection against inflammation and aging.

In conclusion, jumbo shrimp provides an impressive amount of nutritional protein – about 28 grams per 3 ounce serving. Smaller shrimp contain a bit less protein per shrimp, but still supply a good amount with around 2-5 grams per piece.

Shrimp is one of the richest sources of complete protein among seafood, making it more beneficial than other fish or shellfish. The high-quality protein in shrimp supports muscle growth, fat loss, heart health, and healthy aging.

Beyond its stellar protein content, shrimp also supplies a variety of beneficial vitamins and minerals like selenium, iodine, choline, and astaxanthin.

So if you’re looking to increase your intake of complete, lean protein, be sure to add some jumbo shrimp to your diet. Even just one or two jumbo shrimp goes a long way towards meeting your daily protein needs and providing key nutrients for optimal health.

how much protein in a jumbo shrimp

Detailed Nutrient Information Vitamin C — Thiamin — Riboflavin — Niacin — Pantothenic Acid — Vitamin B6 — Folate — Folic Acid — Food Folate — Fortified Folate — Choline — Betaine — Vitamin B12 — Added Vitamin B12 — Biotin — Vitamin A — Retinol — Beta Carotene — Alpha Carotene — Beta Cryptoxanthin — Vitamin A IU — Lycophene — Lutein and Zeaxanthin — Vitamin E — Added Vitamin E — Beta Tocopherol — Gamma Tocopherol — Delta Tocopherol — Alpha Tocotreniol — Beta Tocotreniol — Gamma Tocotreniol — Delta Tocotreniol — Vitamin D2 and D3 — Vitamin D2 — Vitamin D3 — Vitamin D

INGREDIENTS: SHRIMP (LITOPENAEUS VANNAMEI), SALT, SODIUM TRIPOLYPHOSPHATE (TO RETAIN MOISTURE).

3 oz (85 g)

Nutrition Facts Source: USDA

Summary:

Very High Protein
Low Fat
Zero Carbs

Foods with similar macro profiles:

Profile of Protein in Item Recommended Protein Powder Shop for high-quality whey protein supplements at Transparent Labs. Shop Whey Protein Purchases made through this affiliate link support Prospre. Essential Amino Acids

Essential amino acids are critical for building protein. For more information, see the Wikipedia page about them.

100g of Extra Jumbo 16-20 Cooked Shrimp contains 20g of protein, which is about the same as 3. 3 eggs, 0. 7 chicken breasts, or 1. 4 cups (389g) of black beans.

What is the number of Calories in Shrimp?

FAQ

How much protein is in one shrimp?

Cooked Shrimp (3 oz serving)
	Prot(g)
1 small	1.02
1 medium	1.22
1 large	1.42

How much protein is in a 16/20 shrimp?

Name	Amount	Unit
Protein	16.07	g
Total lipid (fat)	0.89	g
Carbohydrate, by difference	0	g
Fiber, total dietary	0	g

Is shrimp high in protein?

Not only is shrimp high in protein, but it also has a good nutrient profile. For example, 84 g shrimp contains 4% of a person’s daily values (DV) for vitamin A and C, as well as 6% and 10% DV for calcium and iron. Shrimp is also low in calories, fats, and carbohydrates but high in cholesterol.

How many calories are in a jumbo steamed or boiled shrimp?

There are 14 calories in 1 jumbo Steamed or Boiled Shrimp. Calorie breakdown: 16% fat, 4% carbs, 81% protein. There are 14 calories in 1 jumbo Steamed or Boiled Shrimp. Get full nutrition facts and other common serving sizes of Steamed or Boiled Shrimp including 1 small and 1 medium.

How many calories are in a Jumbo Shrimp?

Jumbo Shrimp, Raw. Simple Peel, Shell Split & Deveined – Stop & Shop. 6 shrimp. 120.0 calories. 0 grams carbs. 2.0 grams fat. 23.0 grams protein. 0 grams fiber.

Is shrimp low in carbohydrates?

Shrimp is naturally low in carbohydrates, with under 1 gram per 3-ounce serving. Because shrimp is not a plant-based food, it contains no fiber. How you cook and prepare shrimp will affect nutritional values. For example, shrimp prepared with flour and breadcrumbs will be higher in carbohydrates and calories.