To help the consumer to determine the size, a trade designation such as Jumbo or Medium, may accompany the count per pound on retail packaging. Best to go by the “number per pound” measure. U- 21. According to Louisiana Direct Seafood’s Handbook, shrimp are two counts larger with the head on and 1 count larger with the shells. Learn how your comment data is processed. Medium shrimp are 21-25. The slash between numbers denotes a range of shrimp in a pound. Required fields are marked *. Want to make a showstopper impression? Most of the time, if there’s no designation, you’ll be fine working within the 36/40 to 16/20 range. 21/25’s weigh in at 21 to 25 shrimp to a pound. Honestly, I don’t remember ever buying “extra jumbo” shrimp years ago. Some processors use a different numbering system for their shrimp, but most use a standard sizing chart (for example: Zirlotts counts 16/20 as Extra Large while the Cajun Grocer calls them Jumbo). Making shrimp salad and don’t want to have to cut the shrimp? The "U" designation stands for "under", meaing less-than the count per pound. The seafood industry doesn’t standardize these terms, so while one brand or fishmonger might call 16/20’s “Extra Jumbo,” another might call them “Colossal.” Relying on the shrimp count instead lets you know exactly how many shrimp you’re getting when planning a recipe. Shrimp are sold by size and the standard quantitative unit in the United States is count per pound. 10—15. Anyone else remember the naming being different? For instance, "U10" means that the shrimp are large enough that less than 10 make up 1 pound. So, when I’m shopping, I plan my serving sizes on the next smallest shrimp on the chart from the count on the label. 45—55 . It’s a goldilocks range; not too big and not too small for the bulk of recipes. Once the heads are removed, they’ll weigh in two steps smaller at 21/25 shrimp … As has already been noted, there is no standard meaning for “extra large”, “jumbo”, etc. Your email address will not be published. What does it all mean? 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. So, for example, U/15 shrimp contain fewer than 15 shrimp per pound. You’ll want to keep your eye on the timer, especially when using shrimp at the smaller end of the range. For instance "16/20" denotes 16-20 shrimp per pound. As the numbers get smaller, the shrimp get bigger. 10 – 20. All rights reserved. Go bigger. For most sizes, a count range is used. This method is valid for fresh or frozen in the shell without the head on. For accuracy when cooking, I like to pay closer attention to the number count than the sizing term. Recipe and photo reuse terms here. Sometimes, you’ll see a sizing term alongside the number such as “Large” or “Jumbo”. So, say you buy U/15 shrimp with the heads and shells on. Right, I remember growing up, when people would give us an ice chest full of 8/10’s and those were huge to me, but I’ve seen some in the last few years that were probably 2/3’s or 3/4’s tops. As stated in the article, names like “large” and “medium” are not standardized and vary across the industry. Yes, there is confusion with the terms “shrimp” and “prawn” too, but that’s a topic for another day. 34—44. I very often buy shrimp with the shells on because I find that they keep the meat juicy when cooking and give them great flavor. Here’s a list of cooking methods I’ve found best for various shrimp sizes. U - 10. The "U" designation stands for "under", meaing less-than the count per pound. Bear in mind that this isn’t a steadfast list, but a general guideline to help with recipe planning. Grilling shrimp and don’t want to skewer them? 22—33. Your email address will not be published. Therefore, U12 (colossal size shrimp) means it takes 12 shrimp or less of that size to make up a pound – or 12 shrimp or under in a pound. This is why I always recommend going with the count rather than the descriptive name. It's good to know what the marketable name is and the count of shrimp per pound the goes with it. 16—20. Shrimp are sold by size and the standard quantitative unit in the United States is count per pound. I’m sure it’s shifted across the years, just as it can differ by brand. Shrimp Size Chart. Large shrimp are 16-20. Shrimp count will increase by 2 counts sizes when the head is removed and 1 more count size when the shell is removed. Home » Seafood » Shrimp Sizes and Counts Per Pound, Published: August 1, 2019 | Last updated: August 2, 2019 | by Amanda Biddle 6 Comments. All Honestly, rounding up is common here. The FDA lists the serving size for cooked seafood, including shrimp, as 3 ounces. U – 12. If shrimp are the main course, you might round up. 56—66. As with any guideline, judge it and adjust based on your guests’ appetites and type of dish you’re serving.