How Much Shrimp Do I Need for 15 People?

When deciding how much shrimp to buy for a dinner party or event, it's important to consider both dietary preferences and portion sizes. In this article, we'll explore the recommended shrimp quantities needed to feed 15 people, catering to main dishes and appetizers, and provide practical advice on how to adjust based on your guests' appetites and the complexity of the dishes being served.

General Guidelines for Shrimp Servings

When planning a shrimp meal as the main course, a common guideline is to allocate between 1/3 to 1/2 pound of shrimp per person. For appetizers, the recommended amount is about 1/4 pound per person. Here's how to calculate the precise amounts for your 15 guests:

Main Dish

Minimum (1/3 pound per person): 5 pounds Maximum (1/2 pound per person): 7.5 pounds

Appetizer

(1/4 pound per person): 3.75 pounds

Practical Examples and Adjustments

To better understand these recommendations, let's break down the shrimp servings into practical examples and adjust based on varying appetite levels and dish complexity:

Scampi

If serving a shrimp scampi, you should aim for about 4 to 5 jumbo shrimp per serving. Considering a 20-count shrimp, this translates to around 3 pounds of shrimp for 15 people. Despite scampi technically not being shrimp, this guideline is widely accepted! Here's how to calculate:

20 count shrimp: 1 pound / 20 shrimp 0.05 pound per shrimp 15 people x 5 shrimp 75 shrimp 75 shrimp x 0.05 pound per shrimp 3.75 pounds

Shrimp Salad

For a shrimp salad, you might use around 1.5 pounds of shrimp, mixed with other ingredients and served with toasts or baguette slices. Again, the 30-count shrimp would fit well, assuming about 4 or 5 shrimp per person:

30 count shrimp: 1 pound / 30 shrimp 0.0333 pound per shrimp 15 people x 5 shrimp 75 shrimp 75 shrimp x 0.0333 pound per shrimp 2.5 pounds

Cocktail Shrimp

In a more casual setting, cocktail shrimp might be served, allowing you to get away with a 30-count shrimp and assuming four or five per person. This would require around 2 pounds of shrimp:

30 count shrimp: 1 pound / 30 shrimp 0.0333 pound per shrimp 15 people x 4 shrimp 60 shrimp 60 shrimp x 0.0333 pound per shrimp 2 pounds

Credit and Additional Tips

Many sources suggest buying a bit extra, around 15 pounds of shrimp to cover potential overeaters. Alternatively, if you're serving a healthy dish with complementary ingredients, you might reduce the amount to about 4.5 pounds. Here's a practical approach:

If the meal includes substantial vegetables and other proteins, you might bring around 4-5 pounds of shrimp, adding more onions, tomatoes, and peppers to increase the quantity. A balanced advice is to serve half a pound per person, aiming for around 7.5 pounds, and freeze any leftovers for future use.

Conclusion

The exact amount of shrimp needed for 15 people varies based on the menu details and guests' appetites. By considering the size of the shrimp, the intended use (main course or appetizer), and practical adjustments, you can ensure that your guests enjoy a satisfying and sufficient meal. Whether you follow the general guidelines or scale up based on specific needs, proper planning ensures a memorable and delicious shrimp-centric experience.