Shrimp, grilled
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
Grilled shrimp is a lean, succulent seafood staple where the high, dry heat of a grill caramelizes the natural sugars in the crustacean's flesh, creating a slightly charred exterior and a firm, snappy texture. With a mild, sweet flavor that pairs perfectly with smoky notes, it is an exceptionally high-protein, low-calorie food, packing over 17 grams of protein into just 110 calories per 100 grams. It is a powerhouse of lean protein, making it an ideal choice for muscle maintenance and satiety without the high fat content of many other animal proteins.
Calorie split: 65% protein · 4% carbs · 30% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love grilled shrimp for its quick-cooking nature and its ability to absorb marinades and seasonings like garlic, lemon, and chili. Its versatile, mild flavor and satisfying snap make it a beloved centerpiece for everything from casual backyard barbecues to elegant Mediterranean or Asian-inspired feasts.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The primary concern for some is that shrimp is a common shellfish allergen, and it can be high in sodium depending on marinades or brines. To mitigate this, choose low-sodium seasonings, opt for fresh or frozen shrimp without added salt, and pair it with potassium-rich vegetables like asparagus or spinach to help balance sodium intake.
Key benefits
- High in lean protein for muscle repair and satiety
- Low in calories and carbohydrates
- Rich in selenium, an antioxidant that supports thyroid function
- Good source of vitamin B12 and phosphorus
- Naturally low in saturated fat
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
Shrimp have a unique biological process called 'cleaning' where they can shed their entire exoskeleton in a matter of minutes to grow a new, larger one, a process known as molting.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 75.7 g |
| Energy | 110 kcal |
| Protein | 17.3 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 3.5 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 1.2 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.00 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 69.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.27 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 28.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 310 mg |
| Potassium, K | 144 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 359 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 1.2 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.23 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 37.5 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.02 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.02 mg |
| Niacin | 2.1 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.20 mg |
| Folate, total | 18.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 18.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 18.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 103 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 1.2 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 75.0 ug |
| Retinol | 75.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 4.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 2.0 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.10 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 2.2 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.92 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.07 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.50 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.22 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 1.0 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.04 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.92 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 1.0 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.70 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.08 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.04 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.09 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.09 g |
| Cholesterol | 162 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Crustaceans, shrimp, mixed species, cooked, breaded and fried — USDA does not publish this profile for Shrimp.
| Tryptophan | 0.30 g |
| Threonine | 0.86 g |
| Isoleucine | 1.0 g |
| Leucine | 1.7 g |
| Lysine | 1.8 g |
| Methionine | 0.59 g |
| Cystine | 0.26 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.93 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.72 g |
| Valine | 1.0 g |
| Arginine | 1.8 g |
| Histidine | 0.44 g |
| Alanine | 1.2 g |
| Aspartic acid | 2.1 g |
| Glutamic acid | 3.9 g |
| Glycine | 1.2 g |
| Proline | 0.83 g |
| Serine | 0.89 g |
FAQ
Is grilled shrimp a good source of protein?
Yes, it's excellent. With about 17.26 grams of protein per 100g, it's one of the leanest and most protein-dense seafood options available.
How many calories are in a serving of grilled shrimp?
A typical 100-gram serving contains about 110 calories, making it a low-calorie, high-protein choice.
Is grilled shrimp healthy for weight loss?
Yes, its high protein and low fat/carb profile can help promote fullness and support a calorie-controlled diet, making it a great choice for weight management.
Can people with shellfish allergies eat grilled shrimp?
No, shrimp is a common shellfish allergen and should be strictly avoided by anyone with a shellfish allergy.
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 1.10 kcal/g · 63% calories from protein · 0.0 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: 2.49 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.