Better Than Fried Shrimp (2024)

FAQs

What does 31-40 shrimp mean? ›

Medium (41-50, 51-60) & Large (31-40) Shrimp Size. Medium shrimp run anywhere from 41 to 60 shrimp per one-pound bag. This is about 10 to 15 shrimp per 3 oz serving and 0.23 oz per shrimp. Large shrimp are about 31 to 40 shrimp per pound making for about 8 or 9 shrimp per serving.

The bigger the shrimp size, the lower the count per pound. For instance, the 61/70 label on the extra-small shrimp package means a pound contains 61 to 70 fresh shrimp. What does "U" mean in shrimp packaging? The letter stands for "under" and is used on the biggest-sized shrimp.

Mecir explained that shrimp are categorized by weight — specifically, how many pieces make up 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.

Shrimps are among the most delicious seafood that is rich in nutrients. Above all, shrimp are rich in protein and selenium, which may be important for our general health. In addition to the many benefits, excessive consumption can cause potential risks.

Shrimp is sold by size and the sizes are expressed in counts per pound. For example, 16/20 means 16 to 20 shrimp per pound. The larger sizes are expressed as U/10 or U/12 which means “under” 10 or 12. Small sizes like coldwater cooked and peeled shrimp will have counts ranging from 150/250 to 250/300.

The slash between numbers is simply the range of shrimp in a pound. In the above examples, there would be 16 to 20 shrimp per pound, 21 to 25 shrimp per pound, and 31 to 40 shrimp per pound. A “U” in the count means there are “under” that amount of shrimp in a pound.

Scallop sizes are measured by the number of shucked scallops per pound. You will typically see a range indicating the minimum and maximum count, just as shown in the scallop size chart above. For instance, “10-20” means there are between 10 and 20 scallops in a pound.

The size of the prawn is dictated by the number of prawns per kg. In this case, 21/25 means that there are 21 to 25 prawns in 1 kg. Hence the smaller the number, the bigger the prawn.

The number comes from a handy seafood industry shrimp size chart. If the label reads 26/30, you know there should be from 26 to 30 shrimp in each pound. Sometimes you'll see a letter U as well, as in U12, which means under 12 of those shrimp make up a pound.

Jumbo or even colossal-sized shrimp work best for dishes that want to highlight the natural flavors of shrimp. Bigger shrimp offer a heartier bite and withstand strong seasonings and intense cooking methods.

What are tiny shrimp called? ›

Brine Shrimp

These tiny crustaceans, made famous as sea monkeys, are between eight to 12 mm long, with females being a bit larger than the males. The eggs can lay dormant for a long period of time and are used to feed fish and other crustaceans. Unlike most shrimp, brine shrimp are found in salty lakes.

Large shrimp are often labeled as prawns, and some shrimp are actually named after prawns (like the short-seasoned Spot Prawn).

Some of the top recommendations for shrimp include “Whiteleg shrimp.” They may also be referred to as “Ebi,” “Mexican White Shrimp” or “Pacific White Shrimp.” These shrimp are sourced from the United States, farmed in ponds or can also be found from various international sources farmed in indoor tanks.

Shrimp are notably high in cholesterol. You'll take in about 130 milligrams if you eat 12 large shrimp. But at only 2 grams of fat, shrimp are plump with B vitamins, protein, and the nutrients selenium and zinc. Check with your doctor, but you can likely enjoy them once or twice a week.

The number comes from a handy seafood industry shrimp size chart. If the label reads 26/30, you know there should be from 26 to 30 shrimp in each pound. Sometimes you'll see a letter U as well, as in U12, which means under 12 of those shrimp make up a pound.

The size of the prawn is dictated by the number of prawns per kg. In this case, 31/40 means that there are 31 to 40 prawns in 1 kg. Hence the smaller the number, the bigger the prawn.

The number tells you how many shrimp there are in a pound. The higher the number, the smaller the shrimp. The smaller the number, the larger the shrimp. And when you pick your size, it's all about what you're cooking.