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.
As a seafood lover and home cook, I often find myself wondering just how many shrimp fit into different weight measurements when meal planning or prepping recipes. It may seem like a simple question, but “how many shrimp in 7 ounces?” actually has a more complex answer than you’d think at first. In this article, I’ll give you a deep dive into shrimp sizes, counts per pound, and how to estimate the total number of shrimp that come in a 7 ounce portion.
Understanding Shrimp Sizes
Shrimp can range dramatically in size from colossal shrimp down to tiny salad shrimp. The seafood industry grades shrimp by “count per pound” – how many individual shrimp make up one pound. The lower the count the bigger the shrimp.
Some common shrimp size names and corresponding counts per pound are:
- Colossal – Under 15 per pound
- Jumbo – 16 to 20 per pound
- Extra Large – 21 to 25 per pound
- Large – 26 to 30 per pound
- Medium – 31 to 35 per pound
- Small – 36 to 40 per pound
- Miniature – Over 50 per pound
You may also see names like “extra jumbo” or “super colossal” but there are no standard size charts across all brands. The species affects size too. White shrimp run smaller than Tiger shrimp at the same counts per pound.
When a recipe simply calls for “shrimp”, medium sizes from 31 to 40 per pound work best. They’re versatile for pastas, kebobs, and more. Jumbo and colossal shrimp shine when shrimp are the star, like in cocktails. Mini shrimp work for salads or scampi.
Calculating Shrimp per 7 Ounces
Now, how can we use count per pound info to figure out the number of shrimp in 7 ounces? Let’s break it down:
- 1 pound of 40 count shrimp has about 40 shrimp total.
- 7 ounces is approximately half a pound.
- So if we cut that 1 pound of 40 count shrimp in half, we’d get about 20 shrimp in a 7 ounce portion.
We can estimate shrimp counts for any weight like this:
- Find the count per pound (lower count = bigger shrimp).
- Calculate what fraction of a pound your portion is.
- Multiply the count per pound by that fraction to estimate the total shrimp.
For 7 ounces of
- Colossal (10 per pound): 7 oz is ~0.44 lbs. so 0.44 * 10 = about 4 shrimp
- Jumbo (18 per pound): 7 oz is ~0.44 lbs. so 0.44 * 18 = about 8 shrimp
- Large (30 per pound): 7 oz is ~0.44 lbs. so 0.44 * 30 = about 13 shrimp
- Medium (36 per pound): 7 oz is ~0.44 lbs. so 0.44 * 36 = about 16 shrimp
- Small (45 per pound): 7 oz is ~0.44 lbs. so 0.44 * 45 = about 20 shrimp
The total shrimp in 7 ounces ranges quite a bit based on size – from just 4 colossal up to 20 or more mini shrimp!
Other Factors Affecting Shrimp Counts
Beyond just the labeled size, a couple other things can change the number of shrimp per pound:
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Head On vs Peeled – Head on and shell on shrimp weigh more per piece, so there will be fewer shrimp per pound compared to peeled, deveined shrimp.
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Cooked vs Raw – Cooking causes moisture loss, so 7 oz of cooked shrimp may contain fewer pieces than 7 oz raw. A recipe’s shrimp count may be based on cooked or raw.
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Shrimp Species – Some species like White shrimp run smaller than Tiger shrimp at the same counts per pound. You may get slightly more or less shrimp depending on the species.
Tips for Buying and Serving Shrimp
- Look for fresh, firm shrimp with a mild sea breeze smell. Avoid ammonia odors.
- For versatility, choose raw medium or large shrimp from 26 to 40 count per pound.
- Buy mini shrimp from 41 to 60 count per pound for salads and scampi.
- Select jumbo or colossal for appetizers, cocktails and entree showstoppers.
- Plan for 4-5 jumbo or 6-8 large shrimp per person as an entree.
- Allow about 3 shrimp per person for appetizers depending on the dish.
- Shrimp pasta, etouffee and coconut shrimp need less size precision – flavor is the star.
- You can freeze raw shrimp for 4 months without quality loss. Thaw overnight in the fridge before cooking.
The Takeaway
Figuring out the number of shrimp in 7 ounces or any weight portion gets easy once you know about shrimp sizing, count per pound, and some simple math. The total can range from just 4 colossal shrimp up to 20 or more mini shrimp depending on their individual size. With this knowledge in your back pocket, you can master shrimp amounts for recipes and meal planning like a pro!
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!
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.
Delicious shrimp pasta in 5 minutes! Easy recipe with great flavor!
FAQ
How many ounces are 7 shrimp?
How many pieces of shrimp is 8 oz?
How many pieces of shrimp is 1 oz?
How much shrimp for 7?
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 ounces are in a pound of shrimp?
According to the FDA, the serving size for seafood, including shrimp, is 3 ounces, cooked. 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.
How many shrimp are in a serving?
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. A serving of tiny salad shrimp (71+ per pound) is close to 17+ shrimp, while a serving of Colossal (U/15) shrimp is 3 to 4 shrimp.
How many colossal shrimp are in a bag?
Colossal shrimp average about 16 to 20 shrimp per one-pound bag. You will get 4-5 shrimp per serving and they come in at about 0.75 oz per shrimp. Super colossal shrimp are the largest shrimp in the market. You will get anywhere from 8 to 15 shrimp per 1 lb bag and 2-3 shrimp per serving. This comes out to around one shrimp per ounce. Cooking