Shrimp is a classic seafood staple that’s featured in everything from shrimp cocktails and scampi to shrimp tacos and stir fries. When cooking with shrimp, the number needed can vary greatly depending on the recipe. If a recipe calls for 5 ounces of shrimp, how many individual pieces will you need?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover:
- How shrimp size is determined
- Shrimp sizes from small to jumbo
- Calculating shrimp quantity based on weight
- How many shrimp are in 5 ounces
- Tips for buying and cooking shrimp
Follow along to learn everything you need to know to easily determine shrimp counts based on weight.
How Shrimp Size is Measured
Shrimp size is generally categorized by a count of how many pieces are in one pound. The lower the number, the larger the shrimp size. Common shrimp sizes include:
- Colossal or Super Colossal: Under 15 per pound
- Jumbo: 16 to 30 per pound
- Extra Large: 31 to 35 per pound
- Large: 36 to 45 per pound
- Medium: 46 to 55 per pound
- Small: Over 55 per pound
So for example, a 5 pound bag of 30/40 shrimp contains 30 to 40 shrimp per pound, totaling 150 to 200 shrimp.
Shrimp Sizes from Small to Jumbo
Here’s an overview of common shrimp sizes from smallest to largest
Small Shrimp
- 61/70 count
- 71/90 count
- 100+ count
Medium Shrimp:
- 41/50 count
- 51/60 count
Large Shrimp:
- 36/40 count
Extra Large Shrimp:
- 31/35 count
Jumbo Shrimp:
- 26/30 count
- 21/25 count
Colossal or Super Colossal Shrimp:
- 16/20 count
- 13/15 count
- 11/12 count
- Under 10 count
Larger shrimp sizes generally have a higher price per pound but yield less total pieces.
Calculating Quantity Based on Weight
You can easily determine how many shrimp you need based on the weight:
- 1 pound of 30/40 large shrimp = approximately 30 to 40 shrimp
- 1 pound of 41/50 medium shrimp = approximately 41 to 50 shrimp
- 5 ounces of 30/40 large shrimp = about 15 large shrimp
- 5 ounces of 41/50 medium shrimp = about 20 medium shrimp
Use these simple calculations to figure out shrimp counts for any recipe requirement.
How Many Shrimp are in 5 Ounces?
The number of shrimp pieces in 5 ounces depends on the size:
- 5 ounces of colossal shrimp = about 5 shrimp
- 5 ounces of jumbo shrimp = about 8 shrimp
- 5 ounces of extra large shrimp = approximately 10 shrimp
- 5 ounces of large shrimp = around 15 shrimp
- 5 ounces of medium shrimp = about 20 shrimp
- 5 ounces of small shrimp = around 25 to 30 shrimp
To get an exact number, weigh shrimp on a kitchen scale before cooking.
Tips for Buying and Cooking Shrimp
- Look for fresh, raw shrimp that smells ocean-fresh, not fishy or ammonia-like
- Opt for wild-caught or sustainably farmed shrimp
- Store raw shrimp in the coldest part of refrigerator and use within 2 days
- Defrost frozen shrimp overnight in the fridge
- Peel and devein shrimp before cooking if desired
- Adjust cooking times based on size – small shrimp cook fastest
- Don’t overcook – shrimp turns rubbery and tough if cooked too long
Now you know exactly how to calculate the number of shrimp needed for recipes or meals based on weight. With this handy guide, determining shrimp counts will be a breeze.
How Many Shrimp Can You Fit In Your Aquarium – How Many Shrimp Per Gallon / Per Litre!
FAQ
How many ounces are 5 shrimp?
How many pieces of shrimp is 4 oz?
How many shrimp are in 1 oz?
How many large shrimp is 3.5 oz?
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Common Sizing Term (Varies)
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Shrimp Count Per Pound
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Approx. Count Per 3 oz Serving
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Jumbo
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21/25
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5-6 shrimp
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Extra Large
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26/30
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6-7 shrimp
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Large
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31/35
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8-9 shrimp
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Medium Large
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36/40
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9-10 shrimp
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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.
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 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 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.