When hosting a dinner party or any gathering, deciding on the right appetizers can be tricky. You want options that are easy to prep and serve, budget-friendly, and crowd-pleasing. Shrimp is often a go-to appetizer choice for many reasons. They are easy to cook, available year-round, and loved by most. But how much shrimp should you buy to adequately feed a group of 6 adults as an appetizer course? Here is a quick guide to help determine the right shrimp quantity for your event.
What is Considered an Appetizer Portion Size?
First, let’s look at what is generally considered an appetizer portion size. Appetizers are usually served in smaller portions since they are meant to whet your guests’ appetites before the main meal. An average appetizer portion size per person is:
- 3-5 shrimp
- 2-3 ounces of dip or spread
- 1/4 cup of nuts or olives
- 2-4 pieces of an appetizer like bacon-wrapped scallops or mini quiches
- 1-2 slices of bruschetta or crostini
So using shrimp as a benchmark, you would expect to serve each guest 3-5 pieces as an appetizer portion. This means for 6 adults you’d need between 18-30 shrimp in total for app portions.
Purchase Slightly More Than Needed
It’s always smart to purchase slightly more shrimp than your exact calculated need. Having a few extra allows for flexibility in portion sizes if some guests have bigger appetites. It also allows for inevitable waste, whether from overcooking or unused leftovers. Buying 10-20% more shrimp is recommended.
For 6 adults, instead of 18 shrimp, purchase 20-24 shrimp. For 30 shrimp, buy 33-36 shrimp. This gives you a buffer.
Factor in Mixing with Other Appetizers
Will shrimp be the only appetizer served or part of a selection? Offering guests 2-3 appetizer choices allows for more variety. If mixing shrimp with dips, cheese, fruit, or other appetizers, you generally need less of each item per person.
For example, if also serving veggies and dip, cheese and crackers, you could do:
- 2 shrimp per person
- 1-2 ounces dip per person
- 1 ounce cheese and crackers per person
In this case for 6 guests, you’d only need 12 shrimp instead of 18-30. Keep the variety of appetizers in mind when portioning.
Factor in Shrimp Size
Shrimp size needs consideration as well. Jumbo shrimp around 16-20 per pound will yield less pieces than smaller shrimp at 41-50 or more per pound. Though pricier, going with jumbo shrimp means you need to buy less by count.
As a general rule for hors d’oeuvres, for medium 30-40 count shrimp, allow 4-5 shrimp per person. For jumbo 16-20 count shrimp, 2-3 per person works.
Whole Shrimp vs. Shrimp Cocktail
Will you serve shrimp whole, with tails on, or as a shrimp cocktail with the tails removed? Shrimp cocktail will allow the shrimp to go a bit further since the tails don’t factor into portion size. You can get a few more servings per pound if serving shrimp cocktail style.
Peeled vs. Unpeeled
Will the shrimp be peeled and deveined or served unshelled? Leaving shrimp unshelled, in the natural shell, reduces usable meat per shrimp. Guests will have to remove the shell themselves and discard it before eating the shrimp. This process can reduce usable shrimp meat by 15-20% in some cases. So peel them first if you want less waste.
Only Count Usable Shrimp Meat
Remember when calculating quantity to only count the weight of usable shrimp meat, excluding the shells. Here is a good rule of thumb from TheKitchn.com:
For small shrimp:
- Unpeeled: 5-10 shrimp per 1 oz
- Peeled: 7-15 shrimp per 1 oz
For medium shrimp:
- Unpeeled: 3-5 shrimp per 1 oz
- Peeled: 5-8 shrimp per 1 oz
For jumbo shrimp:
- Unpeeled: 2-3 shrimp per 1 oz
- Peeled: 3-5 shrimp per 1 oz
These ranges account for the weight difference with and without shells.
Plan for Leftovers
Don’t worry about having a moderate amount of leftover appetizers. They make great next day snacks or lunch additions. Some leftover shrimp can be used in seafood salad, pasta, soup, or other recipes. Better to have a few extra than run out during your event.
Sample Serving Suggestions
To summarize, here are some recommended shrimp quantities for 6 adult appetizer portions:
| Scenario | Recommended Quantity |
|---|---|
| Jumbo shrimp as sole appetizer | 18-24 shrimp |
| Medium shrimp as sole appetizer | 24-30 shrimp |
| Shrimp as part of appetizer mix | 12-18 shrimp |
Buy peeled, tail-off shrimp if your budget allows for simplicity. Cook shrimp just until pink and plump, about 2-3 minutes for most varieties. Serving with zesty cocktail sauce and lemon wedges is a crowd favorite. Provide some salty crackers alongside.
Cooking Methods
How you cook the shrimp also factors in. The main methods are:
- Boiling – fast and easy
- Sauteing in a pan – adds nice flavor
- Grilling – fun presentation
- Baking – low maintenance
Boiling takes the least time but can risk overcooking. Pan searing gives the best texture and infuses flavor. Grilling imparts a tasty char but can be tricky. Baking is hands-off but shrimp can dry out.
Boiling Shrimp
To boil shrimp:
- Use 1 gallon of salted water per 1 lb of shrimp.
- Heat water to a rolling boil.
- Add shrimp and stir.
- Cook just until all shrimp are pink and opaque, about 2-3 minutes.
- Drain immediately and serve or plunge into an ice bath to stop cooking.
Pan Searing Shrimp
To pan sear shrimp:
- Pat shrimp dry and season with salt, pepper, herbs, spices, etc.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with 1-2 Tbsp oil.
- Add shrimp in a single layer without overcrowding.
- Cook 1-2 minutes on each side until opaque.
- Optional – add garlic, lemon juice, wine, or butter to pan and toss shrimp to coat.
Grilling Shrimp
To grill shrimp:
- Toss shrimp with a little oil or melted butter.
- Season with desired spices, herbs, salt and pepper.
- Place shrimp directly on hot grill or use grilling baskets.
- Grill 2-3 minutes per side until charred and opaque.
- Spray with lemon juice when done.
Baking Shrimp
To bake shrimp:
- Toss shrimp with oil, seasoning, minced garlic, etc.
- Spread on a sheet pan in a single layer.
- Bake at 400F for 4-7 minutes until pink and cooked through.
- Squeeze lemon over when done.
Serving Suggestions
In addition to traditional shrimp cocktail, some fun ways to serve appetizer shrimp include:
- Skewers – alternate with fruit or veggies
- Mini tarts or phyllo cups
- Shrimp avocado salad in mini toasts
- Shrimp cucumber bites
- Shooters with shrimp and gazpacho
- Shrimp ceviche spoons
- Coconut shrimp with dipping sauce
Get creative with your shrimp appetizer presentation! Just stay within the recommended per person guidelines.
Menu Pairing Ideas
Shrimp appetizers pair well with:
- Sparkling wines or cocktails
- Fresh oysters or clams
- Ceviches and crudos
- Salmon or tuna tartare
- Lighter seafood like halibut or snapper
- Citrus flavors like lemon, lime, grapefruit
- Fresh herbs and greens
- Tickles like horseradish, wasabi, pepper
- Crunchy vegetables and greens
- Sushi and sashimi
- Tropical flavors like mango, pineapple, coconut
Pairing shrimp with lighter, brighter companions allows their sweetness and texture to shine. Contrast shrimp’s richness with acidity, crunch, and herbs.
Budget Friendly Tips
Shrimp can get pricey, so employ these tips for keeping appetizer costs down:
- Check for sales and stock up when shrimp is cheap.
- Buy frozen shrimp – often much less expensive.
- Choose smaller shrimp sizes to stretch quantities.
- Skip pre-peeled and opt for whole shrimp.
- Cook and peel shrimp yourself instead of pre-cooked.
- Make your own cocktail sauce instead of buying.
- Serve lemon wedges versus pre-squeezed juice.
- Use less expensive seafood like clams to supplement.
- Mix with other cheaper appetizers like cheese, crudites, etc.
With smart shopping and preparation, you can serve appetizer shrimp to guests without breaking the bank.
Conclusion
Determining how much shrimp to buy for appetizers generally comes down to understanding standard portion sizes per person, then adding a little extra as a buffer. Consider shrimp size, whether they will be the only appetizer or part of a mix, and allow for some leftovers. Shoot for 3-5 pieces per person when serving jumbo shrimp. Smaller shrimp allow you to serve more per person at 4-6 pieces. Follow basic recipes for successful cooking methods like boiling, searing, grilling, or baking. With the guidelines above, you can feel confident about buying and serving the right shrimp quantity for 6 adults to enjoy as a flavorful appetizer.