Nutrition Diet: How many shrimp for 4 people? A Comprehensive Guide

October 27, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the FDA, a standard cooked seafood serving is 3 ounces, but this can translate to a wide range of shrimp depending on size. To figure out exactly how many shrimp for 4 people you need, you must consider the meal's context, the size of the shrimp, and whether they are raw or cooked.

Quick Summary

Calculating the ideal shrimp quantity for four guests depends on the dish and shrimp size. A main course requires more per person than an appetizer. Always account for weight loss during cooking and differences between raw, shell-on versus cooked, peeled varieties to ensure accurate portioning.

Key Points

Main Course Portions: Plan for 1/2 pound (8 ounces) of raw, shell-on shrimp per person for a generous main course.
Appetizer Portions: For appetizers, aim for 1/4 to 1/3 pound (4-6 ounces) of raw, shell-on shrimp per person.
Shrimp Sizing: Shrimp count per pound determines size; smaller numbers mean bigger shrimp, affecting the total number needed for four people.
Raw vs. Cooked Weight: Raw shrimp loses weight during cooking, so account for shrinkage when purchasing.
Cooking Method Considerations: Select shrimp size based on the dish—larger for grilling, medium for pasta, and smaller for soups.
Check for Sustainability: Opt for responsibly sourced seafood by checking for labels like the Aquaculture Stewardship Council.

Understanding the Nutritional Benefits of Shrimp

Shrimp is an excellent addition to a healthy diet, known for being a lean protein source that is low in fat. It provides high-quality protein that supports muscle repair and growth, keeps you feeling full, and provides sustained energy. Shrimp also contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for heart health, though the concentration is higher in some other oily fish. Choosing simple cooking methods like boiling or grilling instead of frying helps maintain its low-calorie profile.

Deciding Portion Sizes: Appetizer vs. Main Course

Determining the right amount of shrimp for four people starts with deciding its role in the meal. An appetizer portion will be much smaller than a main course, and adjusting for this prevents both waste and hungry guests.

For a main course, a general guideline is to plan for 1/2 pound (8 ounces) of raw, headless, shell-on shrimp per person. For four people, this means buying 2 pounds of raw shrimp. If you are using cooked, peeled shrimp, you will need a slightly smaller amount by weight since the shell has already been removed. Alternatively, if the shrimp is a supplement to other protein sources in a dish like a stir-fry, you can reduce the amount to about 1/4 to 1/3 pound per person.

For an appetizer with other items on the menu, a good rule is to serve about 2 to 4 shrimp per person, depending on their size. If shrimp is the only appetizer, you might increase that to 4 to 6 per person to satisfy guests. For four guests, this would range from 8 to 24 shrimp, highlighting how crucial shrimp size is.

The Shrimp Sizing System Explained

Shrimp are sized by the number of individual shrimp it takes to make a pound, also known as the 'count'. The smaller the number on the package, the larger the shrimp. For instance, a label of '16/20' means there are 16 to 20 shrimp per pound. A 'U' before the number means 'under,' signifying larger, premium shrimp.

Common Shrimp Size Counts per Pound

Extra Small (61/70): 61 to 70 shrimp per pound.
Medium (36/40): 36 to 40 shrimp per pound.
Large (26/30): 26 to 30 shrimp per pound.
Jumbo (16/20): 16 to 20 shrimp per pound.
Colossal (U/15): Fewer than 15 shrimp per pound.

Comparison of Shrimp Servings for 4 People

This table illustrates how the number of shrimp changes for 4 people depending on both the shrimp size and the type of meal. Weights are based on raw, shell-on shrimp.


Shrimp Size	Count per Pound	Appetizer (Approx. 4 per person)	Main Course (Approx. 0.5 lbs per person)
Colossal (U/15)	< 15	12-16 shrimp	20-24 shrimp
Jumbo (16/20)	16-20	16-20 shrimp	32-40 shrimp
Large (26/30)	26-30	24-32 shrimp	52-60 shrimp
Medium (36/40)	36-40	32-40 shrimp	72-80 shrimp

Accounting for Weight Loss: Raw vs. Cooked Shrimp

It's important to remember that raw shrimp shrinks during cooking as it loses moisture, so the final weight will be less than the raw weight. The weight lost also depends on whether you buy shrimp with the head and shell on or if they are already peeled and deveined. When purchasing raw, unpeeled shrimp, you need to buy more by weight to account for the inedible parts. For cooked, peeled shrimp, you can often buy a smaller amount by weight to reach the same edible quantity.

Practical Tips for Shopping and Cooking

Consider the dish: The best shrimp size often depends on the recipe. Larger, jumbo shrimp are excellent for grilling or impressive cocktails, while medium or smaller shrimp are ideal for pasta, stir-fries, or stews.
Source responsibly: Look for labels from certifying bodies like the Aquaculture Stewardship Council to ensure you are purchasing sustainably sourced seafood.
Storage: Fresh, raw shrimp should be cooked within a day or two of purchase. Frozen shrimp is a convenient and often more budget-friendly option, especially for larger gatherings.

Conclusion

To determine how many shrimp for 4 people, assess the meal type (appetizer vs. main course), the shrimp size based on its count per pound, and whether you are buying raw, unpeeled or cooked, peeled shrimp. For a main course, aim for 2 pounds of raw, shell-on shrimp or 1 to 1.5 pounds of cooked, peeled shrimp. For appetizers, 1/2 to 1 pound of raw, shell-on shrimp is a safe bet. Following these guidelines ensures you have enough flavorful and nutritious shrimp for everyone to enjoy.

For more information on sustainable seafood practices, visit the Aquaculture Stewardship Council.

Frequently Asked Questions

For a main course, you should buy about 2 pounds of raw, shell-on shrimp for 4 people, which is approximately 1/2 pound per person. If using cooked, peeled shrimp, you can get away with slightly less, around 1 to 1.5 pounds.

For an appetizer, a serving of 2 to 4 medium or larger shrimp per person is generally sufficient, especially if other appetizers are available. If shrimp is the only starter, increase this to 4 to 6 per person.

Yes, raw shrimp loses moisture and shrinks during the cooking process. You should account for this weight loss when buying raw shrimp by purchasing a little extra to ensure you have enough edible meat.

The numbers on shrimp packaging, such as "16/20," indicate the number of individual shrimp that make up one pound. The smaller the number, the larger the shrimp.

Medium (36/40 count) or large (26/30 count) shrimp are excellent choices for pasta dishes like scampi, as they are a good size and cook quickly.

Yes, shrimp is a very healthy protein source. It is high in protein and low in fat, and provides a variety of vitamins and minerals. Health-conscious hosts can prepare shrimp simply by boiling or steaming to avoid excess calories.

For a main course, you would need approximately 16 to 20 jumbo shrimp (16/20 count) for 4 people, translating to about 4 to 5 jumbo shrimp per person. This is equivalent to roughly one pound of jumbo shrimp.