CRACKER BARREL, country fried shrimp platter
Whole food · Restaurant Foods
Photo: Wikipedia
Cracker Barrel's Country Fried Shrimp Platter features plump shrimp coated in a seasoned, crispy breading and deep-fried to a golden brown, offering a satisfying crunch that gives way to tender, sweet seafood inside. Nutritionally, it's a protein-rich option (12.62g per 100g) with a significant fat content (16.77g per 100g) from the frying process, and it contains virtually no sugar or fiber.
Calorie split: 18% protein · 30% carbs · 53% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People adore this platter for its classic Southern comfort food appeal, delivering a nostalgic, savory flavor and a perfectly crispy texture that pairs well with dipping sauces like cocktail or tartar. It's a beloved staple for its hearty, indulgent satisfaction and its role in casual American dining culture.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The deep-fried preparation makes it high in total fat and calories, which may concern those monitoring heart health or weight. It is also a common allergen (shellfish, wheat/gluten in breading) and likely high in sodium. To counteract, pair with a vinegar-based coleslaw or steamed vegetables to add fiber and balance the meal, practice portion control by sharing the platter, and ensure it's cooked in fresh oil to minimize oxidized fats.
Key benefits
- High-quality protein source for muscle maintenance
- Provides essential minerals like selenium and phosphorus from shrimp
- Quick and satisfying source of energy
- Convenient, ready-to-eat meal option
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The 'country fried' or 'chicken fried' cooking technique, which involves dredging protein in seasoned flour and pan-frying or deep-frying it, was popularized by German and Austrian immigrants in the American South as a way to replicate Wiener Schnitzel.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 46.1 g |
| Energy | 287 kcal |
| Energy | 1201 kj |
| Protein | 12.6 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 16.8 g |
| Ash | 3.1 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 21.4 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.30 g |
| Starch | 20.0 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 43.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.5 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 19.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 210 mg |
| Potassium, K | 86.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 1050 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.80 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.11 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.41 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.11 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.09 mg |
| Niacin | 0.87 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.07 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.69 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 1.0 ug |
| Retinol | 1.0 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 5.0 iu |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 1.9 mg |
| Tocopherol, beta | 0.25 mg |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 8.5 mg |
| Tocopherol, delta | 3.3 mg |
| Tocotrienol, alpha | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, gamma | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, delta | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 3.1 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 1.8 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 1.1 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.06 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.05 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.02 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 3.8 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 16:1 c | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 3.7 g |
| MUFA 18:1 c | 3.6 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.07 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 c | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 24:1 c | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 8.5 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 7.4 g |
| PUFA 18:2 n-6 c,c | 7.4 g |
| PUFA 18:2 CLAs | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.95 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-3 c,c,c (ALA) | 0.92 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-6 c,c,c | 0.04 g |
| PUFA 18:3i | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-6 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.05 g |
| PUFA 22:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.05 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.11 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-monoenoic | 0.08 g |
| TFA 16:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:1 t | 0.08 g |
| TFA 22:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:2 t not further defined | 0.03 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-polyenoic | 0.03 g |
| Cholesterol | 89.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.15 g |
| Threonine | 0.40 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.52 g |
| Leucine | 0.94 g |
| Lysine | 0.73 g |
| Methionine | 0.30 g |
| Cystine | 0.17 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.54 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.34 g |
| Valine | 0.56 g |
| Arginine | 0.80 g |
| Histidine | 0.23 g |
| Alanine | 0.61 g |
| Aspartic acid | 1.1 g |
| Glutamic acid | 2.5 g |
| Glycine | 0.54 g |
| Proline | 0.69 g |
| Serine | 0.51 g |
FAQ
Is this dish gluten-free?
No, the standard breading contains wheat flour. A gluten-free version would require a dedicated fryer and alternative coating like cornmeal or rice flour.
How does the nutrition compare to grilled shrimp?
Country fried shrimp has significantly more calories and fat due to the breading and deep-frying. Grilled shrimp is leaner, with more protein per calorie and less fat.
What is a common dipping sauce for this platter?
Cocktail sauce (a tomato-based sauce with horseradish) and tartar sauce (a creamy, mayonnaise-based sauce with pickles) are the most traditional accompaniments.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 2.87 kcal/g · 18% calories from protein · 0.3 g fiber · 0.0 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 12.21 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.