Demystifying Shrimp Sizes: A Complete Guide to Understanding the 21/25 Shrimp Count

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 and home cook, I’ve spent countless hours browsing the shelves of my local fish market searching for the perfect shrimp for my recipes. But with all the numbers and sizes listed on those bags and containers, it can get downright confusing. What exactly does “21/25 shrimp” or “16/20 shrimp” actually mean?

After doing plenty of digging tasting and testing, I now have a clear understanding of shrimp sizing and counts. In this guide, you’ll learn the specifics around the popular 21/25 shrimp size, what the numbers signify, how to cook them, and the best ways to enjoy their sweet, succulent meat. Read on for a complete demystification of shrimp sizes using the 21/25 count as our example.

An Overview on Shrimp Size Numbers and What They Mean

Before jumping specifically into 21/25 shrimp, it helps to understand the general shrimp numbering system Here’s a quick overview

The numbers listed on shrimp relate to the count per pound So 21/25 means there are between 21-25 individual shrimp in a one pound bag.
The smaller the first number, the larger the shrimp size, since fewer shrimp are needed to make a pound.
The range between the two numbers represents the variability in shrimp sizes, usually within a couple shrimp.
So for 21/25 shrimp, the average size lands right around 23 shrimp per pound.
Compare this to 41/50 shrimp which are smaller, averaging 45-46 shrimp per pound.
Large shrimp like 16/20 may only have 18-19 shrimp per pound.

So in essence, the numbers tell you the approximate amount of shrimp you’re getting in that one pound package. The lower the numbers, the bigger the shrimp.

What Exactly is a 21/25 Shrimp Size?

Now that we understand the general numbering system, let’s specifically break down 21/25 shrimp:

This size range falls into the extra jumbo or jumbo shrimp categories.
You can expect around 23 shrimp per pound on average.
Each jumbo 21/25 shrimp weighs approximately 0.44 ounces (1/4 pound = 4 ounces).
Serving size is around 5-7 shrimp for an appetizer or meal component.
They are larger shrimp, around 3-4 inches long not including legs and antennae.
Great for shrimp cocktails, grilling, sautéing, and any recipe where you want the shrimp to shine.

So in a nutshell, 21/25 shrimp are the plump, juicy jumbo shrimp you often see served as appetizers or in seafood-centric dishes. Their large size makes them perfect for displaying their delicious sweet flavor.

How to Cook 21/25 Jumbo Shrimp

The size of 21/25 shrimp affects how you should cook them for best results:

Sauté: 3-4 minutes per side over med-high heat works well. Get a nice sear.
Grill: 4-5 minutes per side over a hot grill. Baste with sauce/marinade.
Bake: Bake at 400°F for 7-8 minutes until opaque and pink.
Broil: Broil 3-4 minutes per side, 6-8 inches from heat source.
Boil/Poach: Simmer in seasoned liquid 4-5 minutes until opaque.

The takeaway is that 21/25 shrimp need a little more time than smaller shrimp given their size. But they still cook relatively quickly, so watch them carefully to avoid overcooking.

Look for the shrimp to turn opaque and pink with a little char on the outside when done. Check for doneness by cutting into the thickest part of the meat.

Delicious Ways to Serve 21/25 Shrimp

My favorite part – eating! Here are some tasty ways to serve up 21/25 jumbo shrimp:

Cocktail shrimp – Chilled, peeled shrimp with cocktail sauce and lemon wedges.
Coconut shrimp – Breaded in coconut flakes, drizzled with sweet chili sauce.
Shrimp skewers – Alternate shrimp and veggies on skewers, grill with Thai peanut sauce.
Shrimp scampi – Sautéed with garlic, butter, white wine, and parsley over pasta.
Blackened shrimp – Cajun spiced shrimp sautéed in cast iron skillet.
Shrimp tacos – Grilled shrimp, shredded cabbage, pico de gallo, chipotle crema.
Shrimp frittata – Eggs baked with shrimp, cheese, onions, peppers, and spinach.
Shrimp salad – Mixed with lettuce, cherry tomatoes, avocado, lemon vinaigrette.

The opportunities are endless! Jumbo shrimp really shine when they are the star ingredient instead of mixed into complex dishes.

Key Benefits of Choosing 21/25 Shrimp

Beyond being incredibly tasty, 21/25 shrimp offer other benefits:

Higher meat to shell ratio – More edible shrimp per shell since they are large.
Rich flavor – Large shrimp carry more ocean essence compared to tiny ones.
Impressive presentations – Big shrimp look stunning served whole or cocktail-style.
Special occasions – Perfect size for date nights, parties, holidays, and celebrations.
Satisfying – Just 5-7 shrimp can make a hearty appetizer portion per person.

So going with 21/25 jumbo shrimp means you get impressively-sized shrimp with big flavor, lots of sweet meat, and memorable presentations.

Shrimp Sizing and Count Tips to Remember

To wrap up this complete guide to demystifying shrimp sizes using 21/25 as our example, here are some key tips to keep in mind:

Check the numbers per pound on shrimp packages to determine size. Lower numbers = bigger shrimp.
21/25 falls into the extra jumbo/jumbo range with around 23 shrimp per pound.
Adjust cooking times and methods based on large 21/25 shrimp size.
Serve jumbo shrimp simply to let their natural sweetness shine through.
21/25 shrimp make for satisfying appetizers and meal components.

The next time you come across a bag of 21/25 shrimp at the market, you can smile knowing exactly what you’re getting. Large, flavorful shrimp perfect for anything from grilling to shrimp cocktails and salads. No more confusion around shrimp sizing and numbers – just delicious jumbo shrimp ready to cook and enjoy!

what does 21 25 shrimp mean

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.

Hungry for more? Get your pure seafood delivered to your door from North Coast Seafoods.

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FAQ

How big is 31-35 shrimp?

Common Sizing Term (Varies)	Shrimp Count Per Pound	Approx. Count Per 3 oz Serving
Extra Large	26/30	6-7 shrimp
Large	31/35	8-9 shrimp
Medium Large	36/40	9-10 shrimp
Medium	41/50	10-12 shrimp

What does 41 50 shrimp mean?

A label of “41 50 shrimp” means 41 to 50 shrimp per pound or Medium shrimp. What size is 31 40 shrimp? When referencing shrimp size, “31 40 shrimp” is Large shrimp, meaning 31 to 40 shrimp in a pound. Now you know the basics of shrimp size and counts per pound.

What is 31 40 shrimp?

When referencing shrimp size, “31 40 shrimp” is Large shrimp, meaning 31 to 40 shrimp in a pound. Now you know the basics of shrimp size and counts per pound. Don’t forget to save this page to quickly reference the shrimp size chart when meal planning or preparing your grocery order or shopping list.

How do shrimp count numbers work?

Just remember that generally, the larger the shrimp are, the smaller the shrimp count numbers get because shrimp counts are always measured by how many there are in a pound. Shrimp heads and shells also play a factor in determining shrimp count amounts.

How many ounces of shrimp are in a pound?

However, shrimp count is the number of pieces in a pound of raw, uncooked shrimp. Because shrimp can lose up to 25% of their weight after cooking, a serving size is 3 ounces cooked, and approximately 4 ounces raw. The number of shrimp per serving depends on the size of the shrimp.