How much potassium is in shrimp?
Shrimp has 220 mg of potassium per 3 oz cooked (85 g) — about 5% of the 4,700 mg Daily Value. That's 259 mg per 100 g, roughly 0.5× a medium banana (~422 mg).
USDA FoodData Central · cooked · FDC 175180
Potassium by portion
| Portion | Potassium | % DV | Sodium | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 oz cooked (85 g) | 220 mg | 5% | 94 mg | 84 |
| 100 g | 259 mg | 6% | 111 mg | 99 |
| 1 oz (28 g) | 73 mg | 2% | 31 mg | 28 |
% DV against the FDA Daily Value of 4,700 mg of potassium. Whole foods are naturally potassium-rich and low in sodium — the ratio heart guidelines (like DASH) favor. Values from USDA per-100 g data (FDC 175180, SR Legacy). cooked.
Shrimp is a lean protein that brings a respectable amount of potassium — more than most people would guess from something this low in calories. A 3 oz cooked serving (85 g) carries about 220 mg of potassium, which is roughly 5% of the 4,700 mg Daily Value and about 0.5× the potassium of a medium banana (~422 mg). On a per-100 g basis that’s 259 mg. And because nobody eats just 85 grams of shrimp at dinner, a realistic 5–6 oz portion climbs to 370–440 mg — right around a whole banana, in a food you were eating for the protein anyway.
A solid side benefit from a lean protein
Shrimp sits in the moderate tier for potassium, in the same neighborhood as chicken breast (roughly 256–330 mg per 100 g) and ahead of where most people file seafood. It’s not a potassium food the way a potato (900 mg) or a banana (422 mg) is — those still do the heavy lifting — but the honest framing is that shrimp is a protein food that also brings potassium, and at a dinner-sized portion that potassium becomes meaningful rather than trivial. The appeal is the combination: the same 5–6 oz that delivers ~370–440 mg of potassium also carries 34–41 g of complete protein for only about 140–168 calories. You’re not choosing between a lean protein and a potassium source — a plate of shrimp is quietly both.
The catch: how it’s sold can wreck the ratio
Potassium is the blood-pressure mineral — it counterbalances sodium and helps relax blood-vessel walls, which is why potassium-rich, lower-sodium patterns like DASH are tied to healthier blood pressure. Plain cooked shrimp plays to that strength: it’s naturally low in sodium (about 111 mg per 100 g), so it sits on the favorable side of the potassium-to-sodium ratio those guidelines care about. The gotcha is the convenience pack. A lot of pre-cooked, peeled, “cocktail,” or frozen-then-thawed shrimp is treated with a salt or sodium-phosphate solution to hold moisture, and that can carry several times the sodium of plain — flipping a favorable ratio into an unfavorable one. It’s the single biggest variable between two bags that look identical. Read the ingredient line: if you see salt, sodium tripolyphosphate, or sodium bisulfite, expect more sodium than the figures here, and give it a rinse before serving. (For context, not alarm: people with kidney disease are sometimes advised to limit potassium, so treat this as reference data, not medical advice.)
For a seafood protein with notably more potassium on the same lane, see potassium in salmon.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much potassium is in a 3 oz serving of shrimp?
About 220 mg of potassium in a 3 oz cooked serving (85 g), based on 259 mg per 100 g (USDA FDC 175180). A 5–6 oz dinner portion brings closer to 370–440 mg.
What percent of the daily value for potassium is that?
About 5% of the FDA Daily Value of 4,700 mg per 3 oz serving. It's a modest contribution — shrimp is a lean protein first, with potassium as a side benefit. Most of your potassium will still come from fruit, vegetables, and dairy.
How does shrimp's potassium compare to a banana?
It's lower per serving. A 3 oz serving of shrimp has about 220 mg, roughly 0.5× the potassium of a medium banana (~422 mg). But a full 5–6 oz dinner portion (370–440 mg) lands right around a banana, so a real plate of shrimp is a meaningful contributor.
Does shrimp have more potassium than chicken breast?
They're in the same range. Cooked shrimp sits at 259 mg per 100 g; skinless chicken breast runs roughly 256–330 mg per 100 g. Both are lean proteins that bring a moderate amount of potassium — neither is a standout potassium food, but both contribute more than people expect from a protein.
Why does the sodium matter alongside the potassium?
Plain cooked shrimp is low in sodium (about 111 mg per 100 g), giving it a favorable potassium-to-sodium balance. But pre-cooked, brined, or 'cocktail' shrimp is often treated with a salt or phosphate solution that can carry several times more sodium, tilting that balance the wrong way. Check the label and rinse if needed. This is general information, not medical advice.
When was this data last verified?
2026-06-18, against USDA FoodData Central FDC 175180 (Crustaceans, shrimp, cooked; SR Legacy). We re-verify reference pages periodically.
Whole-food values are USDA reference data, not a Labelgrade (that score is for branded packaged products). High-potassium diets aren't for everyone — people with kidney disease are often told to limit it; this is reference data, not medical advice. See our methodology.