What's the Difference Between Shrimp and Prawns?

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Both shrimp and prawns are ten-legged creatures. But their legs are a little bit different from each other. Shrimp have one pair of legs that include claws at the end, but prawns have three pairs with claws. Prawns also tend to have legs that are a bit longer in relation to the size of the body than shrimp of similar size.

While you can find both shrimp and prawns in both salt and freshwater, when it comes to the culinary crustaceans you are likely to be buying at your fishmonger or ordering at your favorite seafood restaurant.

The top five largest in the prawn/shrimp category are all prawns, with the largest shrimp, the Pacific White Shrimp clocking in at number six.

So when it comes to making a statement on the plate, prawns are the way to go. But when it comes to the edible versions that you are likely to find available, you'll have a lot more choices in size when you buy shrimp.

Your local markets will often have sizes of shrimp that range from 40-50 to the pound all the way up to jumbos that might be only 6-8 to the pound. So when it comes to cooking, depending on your recipe, you'll have a lot more variety if you source shrimp.

A lot of the differences between the two species involve their biology. Shrimp bodies are encased in a sort of accordion shell, with a membrane between the segments, which makes them super flexible and bendy.

Luckily for all of us, in all important ways, prawn and shrimp are essentially identical. In taste, texture, how they behave in recipes, and in all nutritional aspects, you can use them interchangeably without noticing.

This is a good thing when cooking at home, since often shrimp will be priced slightly lower than prawns, so you can choose the option that is best for your budget regardless of what is specified in your recipe.

They also will affect folks with allergies the same, so exercise the same amount of caution when a seafood or shellfish allergy is an issue.

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What's the Difference Between Shrimp and Prawns?

Legs and claws

While you can find both shrimp and prawns in both salt and freshwater, when it comes to the culinary crustaceans you are likely to be buying at your fishmonger or ordering at your favorite seafood restaurant.

Saltwater or freshwater

The top five largest in the prawn/shrimp category are all prawns, with the largest shrimp, the Pacific White Shrimp clocking in at number six.

Prawns are bigger, but shrimp win on variety

So when it comes to making a statement on the plate, prawns are the way to go. But when it comes to the edible versions that you are likely to find available, you'll have a lot more choices in size when you buy shrimp.

Prawns are bigger, but shrimp win on variety

Your local markets will often have sizes of shrimp that range from 40-50 to the pound all the way up to jumbos that might be only 6-8 to the pound. So when it comes to cooking, depending on your recipe, you'll have a lot more variety if you source shrimp.

Prawns are bigger, but shrimp win on variety

A lot of the differences between the two species involve their biology. Shrimp bodies are encased in a sort of accordion shell, with a membrane between the segments, which makes them super flexible and bendy.

Some other anatomical differences

Luckily for all of us, in all important ways, prawn and shrimp are essentially identical. In taste, texture, how they behave in recipes, and in all nutritional aspects, you can use them interchangeably without noticing.

But can you substitute shrimp for prawns and vice-versa?

This is a good thing when cooking at home, since often shrimp will be priced slightly lower than prawns, so you can choose the option that is best for your budget regardless of what is specified in your recipe.

But can you substitute shrimp for prawns and vice-versa?

They also will affect folks with allergies the same, so exercise the same amount of caution when a seafood or shellfish allergy is an issue.

But can you substitute shrimp for prawns and vice-versa?

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