Calories in Shrimp
How many calories are in shrimp? A 3-oz cooked serving has about 84 calories and one large shrimp about 7. See a full shrimp calorie and macros table.
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Quick answer
A 3-ounce (85-gram) cooked serving of shrimp has about 84 calories, and one large cooked shrimp has roughly 7 calories. By weight, cooked shrimp is around 99 calories per 100 grams.
How Many Calories Are in Shrimp?
Shrimp is one of the leanest high-protein foods you can eat. A 3-ounce (85-gram) cooked serving has about 84 calories, and a single large cooked shrimp has roughly 7 calories. By weight, cooked shrimp is around 99 calories per 100 grams. The exact per-shrimp number depends on size, ranging from about 4 calories for small shrimp to 14 for jumbo.
Almost all of shrimp’s calories come from protein. It has very little fat and essentially no carbohydrate, giving it an outstanding protein-to-calorie ratio similar to white fish.
Shrimp Calories by Serving Size
| Serving | Amount | Calories | Protein (g) | Fat (g) | Carbs (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small shrimp | 1 | ~4 | 0.9 | 0 | 0 |
| Large shrimp | 1 | ~7 | 1.5 | 0.1 | 0 |
| Jumbo shrimp | 1 | ~12 | 2.4 | 0.1 | 0 |
| 3 oz cooked | 85g | ~84 | 18 | 1 | 0 |
| 100 grams cooked | 100g | ~99 | 21 | 1.2 | 0 |
| Fried shrimp | 3 oz | ~206 | 18 | 10 | 10 |
These numbers are for plain boiled, grilled or steamed shrimp. Breading and deep-frying, butter-heavy scampi, or creamy sauces add the bulk of the calories, as the fried example shows.
Macros and Nutrition in Shrimp
Shrimp is a lean, complete protein that packs in nutrients for very few calories. Beyond about 18 grams of protein per 3 ounces, it provides selenium, vitamin B12, iodine, phosphorus and choline, plus the antioxidant astaxanthin that gives cooked shrimp its pink color. It also contains a small amount of omega-3 fatty acids.
Shrimp does contain dietary cholesterol, with roughly 166 mg in a 3-ounce serving, but it is very low in saturated fat. Current dietary thinking emphasizes saturated fat over dietary cholesterol for most people, so shrimp generally fits a heart-healthy, weight-conscious diet.
Plain vs Fried vs Sauced Shrimp
Preparation is everything with shrimp. Plain boiled or grilled shrimp stays near 84 calories per serving. Breaded and deep-fried shrimp can climb to 200 to 350 calories as the coating soaks up oil. Shrimp scampi swimming in butter and garlic, or shrimp in a cream sauce, can add several hundred calories. To keep shrimp lean, choose grilled, sauteed in minimal oil, or in a tomato-based sauce.
Is Shrimp Good for Weight Loss?
Shrimp is a near-ideal weight-loss protein. It is low in calories, high in protein, quick to cook and very versatile. Its protein keeps you satisfied while leaving plenty of room in your calorie budget. To preserve that advantage, skip the breading and frying and lean on grilling, steaming or sauteing with lemon, garlic and herbs rather than butter and heavy sauces.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories are in a serving of shrimp?
A 3-ounce (85-gram) cooked serving of shrimp has about 84 calories and provides roughly 18 grams of protein with almost no fat or carbohydrate. This is the standard nutrition-reference serving size.
How many calories are in one shrimp?
One large cooked shrimp has about 7 calories. The exact number depends on size — a small shrimp may be 4 to 5 calories, while a jumbo shrimp can be 10 to 14 calories each.
Is shrimp good for weight loss?
Yes, shrimp is excellent for weight loss. It is very low in calories and fat while being high in protein, so it is filling and fits easily into a calorie deficit when prepared without heavy oils or breading.
Does fried shrimp have a lot more calories?
Yes. Breaded and deep-fried shrimp can have 2 to 4 times the calories of plain shrimp. A serving of fried shrimp may reach 200 to 350 calories, mostly from the breading and frying oil.
Is shrimp high in cholesterol?
Shrimp is relatively high in dietary cholesterol, with about 166 mg in 3 ounces, but it is very low in saturated fat. For most people, shrimp fits a balanced diet, though those advised to limit cholesterol should be mindful.
Sources
- FoodData Central — food composition database — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)