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.
Shrimp is a delicious and versatile seafood ingredient that can add nutrition and flavor to many dishes. But with so many shrimp sizes and counts available, it can be tricky to visualize exactly how much 1 ounce of shrimp is.
In this article, we’ll break down what 1 ounce of shrimp looks like using photos and simple comparisons. We’ll also overview common shrimp sizes, counts per pound, and tips for purchasing and cooking shrimp.
Visualizing 1 Ounce of Shrimp
One ounce of medium sized shrimp is approximately
- 4-5 shrimp if using extra colossal (U10) shrimp
- 6-8 shrimp if using colossal (U12) shrimp
- 8-10 shrimp if using jumbo (16/20 count) shrimp
- 10-12 shrimp if using large (31/40 count) shrimp
- 12-15 shrimp if using medium (41/50 count) shrimp
To visualize it another way:
- 1 ounce of peeled, deveined shrimp fits in the palm of your hand or fills a golf ball sized volume.
- 1 ounce of shrimp in the shell takes up slightly more volume, about the size of a racquetball.
- Laid flat, 1 ounce of shrimp fills an area about 3-4 inches wide.
So for a rough estimate think 4-5 large shrimp or 8-12 medium shrimp per ounce. The exact amount can vary based on size.
<img src=”https://www.verymeaty.com/media/MTYzZDAyM2ZlOGQyOGMzYTE0MzE3MDQ2MTJhNGYzMzJmMzg3MGE3YWNkZGRkNmRjODg5Mzk4YjczNTRhYjBjYw==.jpg” width=”350px” title=”1 ounce of shrimp visual”>
Shrimp Sizes and Counts
Shrimp are categorized by “count per pound” which indicates how many shrimp make up one pound. The higher the count, the smaller the shrimp size. Common commercial shrimp sizes include:
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Colossal – U12 or under 12 count per pound. 8-10 shrimp per ounce.
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Extra Jumbo – 16/20 count per pound. 6-8 shrimp per ounce.
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Jumbo – 21/25 count per pound. 5-6 shrimp per ounce.
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Extra Large – 26/30 count per pound. 4-5 shrimp per ounce.
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Large – 31/40 count per pound. 3-4 shrimp per ounce.
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Medium – 41/50 count per pound. 2-3 shrimp per ounce.
For recipes, it’s better to use the count per pound instead of subjective size names which can vary. Check the count when purchasing shrimp to determine the appropriate amount.
Buying and Cooking Shrimp
When purchasing shrimp, opt for fresh raw shrimp with the shells still on when possible. Shelled shrimp loses moisture quickly. Prior to cooking, rinse thawed shrimp under cold water and pat dry.
Cook shrimp just until opaque and curled into a “C” shape. Overcooking makes them rubbery. Never freeze cooked shrimp. For food safety, only re-freeze raw shrimp once after initial thawing.
General cooking guidelines:
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Sauté 1 lb raw medium shrimp for 3-4 minutes over medium high heat.
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Grill 1 lb raw jumbo shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side.
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Bake 1 lb peeled raw shrimp at 400°F for 5-7 minutes.
Adjust cook times up or down slightly for larger or smaller shrimp. Check internal temperature of at least 165°F when done.
Equipped with this visual guide and tips for purchasing and preparing, you can easily estimate how much shrimp to purchase, portion, and cook for recipes. Just remember that 1 ounce is around 4-5 large or 8-12 medium shrimp depending on size. With its delicious flavor and nutrition, shrimp is sure to please!
How are Shrimp Sized?
Shrimp sizes are denoted in numbers, such as 21/25 or U/15. What does a “U” mean in the count? It means there are “under” that many shrimp in a pound. The slash between numbers denotes a range of shrimp in a pound.
So, for example, U/15 shrimp contain fewer than 15 shrimp per pound. 21/25’s weigh in at 21 to 25 shrimp to a pound. As the numbers get smaller, the shrimp get bigger.
Sometimes, you’ll see a sizing term alongside the number such as “Large” or “Jumbo”. For accuracy when cooking, I like to pay closer attention to the number count than the sizing term.
Because these terms aren’t standard in the seafood business, 16/20’s might be called “Extra Jumbo” by one brand or fishmonger and “Colossal” by another. Using the shrimp count instead lets you know for sure how many shrimp you’ll be getting when you plan a recipe.
| Common Sizing Term (Varies) | Shrimp Count Per Pound | Approx. Count Per 3 oz Serving |
|---|---|---|
| Extra Colossal | U/10 | 2-3 shrimp |
| Super Colossal | U/12 | 2-3 shrimp |
| Colossal | U/15 | 3-4 shrimp |
| Extra Jumbo | 16/20 | 4-5 shrimp |
| Jumbo | 21/25 | 5-6 shrimp |
| 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 |
| Small | 51/60 | 12-15 shrimp |
| Extra Small | 61/70 | 15-17 shrimp |
| Tiny | 71+ | 18+ shrimp |
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!
What Does 100 Grams Of Shrimp Look Like ?
FAQ
How many shrimp is 1 oz?
How many pieces of shrimp is 4 ounces?
How many pieces of shrimp is 3 ounces?
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Common Sizing Term (Varies)
|
Shrimp Count Per Pound
|
Approx. Count Per 3 oz Serving
|
|
Medium Large
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36/40
|
9-10 shrimp
|
|
Medium
|
41/50
|
10-12 shrimp
|
|
Small
|
51/60
|
12-15 shrimp
|
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Extra Small
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61/70
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15-17 shrimp
|
How much shrimp for 2 adults?
How many shrimp are in an ounce?
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: 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.
What is the difference between prawn and shrimp?
Shrimp and prawns have plenty of similarities, but they are not the same animal. Their differences involve their biology. Shrimp bodies are encased in a sort of accordion shell, with a membrane between the segments. Prawns have a shell where each segment overlaps the one below it. There are no big differences between them when it comes to their nutritional value; they are both a good source of protein, and relatively low in calories.
How do you know if a shrimp is big or small?
Shrimp are considered two counts larger with their heads on (head-on shrimp) and one count larger with just their shells on (unpeeled shrimp with no heads). Shrimp sizes can also be determined by descriptions on the bags, such as “Large” for large shrimp and “Jumbo” for even bigger shrimp.
How do you know if a shrimp is a pound?
In this sizing system, there are two kinds of labels: larger shrimp like “colossal” or “jumbo” will often be marked as “U-10” to signify that 10 or fewer shrimp usually make up one pound. For smaller shrimp sizes, labels will be marked with a range like “ 26/30 ” to indicate the number of shrimp that will make up a pound.