Crawfish vs Shrimp: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Crawfish contains 16.8 g of protein and 82 calories per 100 g, while shrimp has 24.0 g of protein and 99 calories. Shrimp is higher in protein, but crawfish is lower in calories.

Crawfish and shrimp are both popular seafood choices, often enjoyed in various cuisines. This comparison highlights their nutritional differences, particularly in calories and protein content.

What Is the Difference Between Crawfish and Shrimp?

Crawfish, also known as crayfish or freshwater lobsters, are small crustaceans found in freshwater environments. They are commonly consumed in Southern U.S. cuisine and are known for their sweet, tender meat. Shrimp are small, marine crustaceans that are widely consumed around the world. They are known for their versatility in cooking and are often featured in a variety of dishes.

Crawfish vs Shrimp: Nutrition Side by Side

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the nutritional values of crawfish and shrimp.

Nutrient (per 100 g)	Crawfish (cooked)	Shrimp (cooked)
Calories	82 kcal	99 kcal
Protein	16.8 g	24.0 g
Carbs	0 g	0.2 g
Sugar	0 g	0 g
Fat	1.2 g	0.3 g
Fiber	0 g	0 g
Sodium	94 mg	111 mg

Which Is Better, Crawfish or Shrimp?

For weight loss: Crawfish has 82 calories per 100 g, while shrimp has 99 calories. Choosing crawfish may be more beneficial for those focusing on calorie reduction.

For muscle and protein: Shrimp provides 24.0 g of protein per 100 g, compared to 16.8 g in crawfish. Therefore, shrimp is the better option for those seeking higher protein intake.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Both crawfish and shrimp are very low in carbohydrates, with crawfish having 0 g and shrimp containing 0.2 g. They also contain no sugar.

How to Track Crawfish and Shrimp Accurately

It's easy to misjudge portion sizes and macros when consuming seafood, as they can vary significantly between different dishes. Nutrola is an AI nutrition tracking app that identifies foods from a photo and returns calories and macros from a database of more than 1.8 million foods. It also supports barcode scanning and voice logging. Nutrola is available from EUR 2.50 per month and shows no ads on any tier.

How We Compiled These Numbers

The numbers presented are rounded reference values for educational purposes and should not be considered medical advice. This comparison is based on verified data per 100 g servings. Values are per 100 g from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which has more protein, crawfish or shrimp?

Shrimp has 24.0 g of protein per 100 g, while crawfish has 16.8 g. Therefore, shrimp contains more protein.

Which has fewer calories, crawfish or shrimp?

Crawfish has 82 calories per 100 g, whereas shrimp has 99 calories. Thus, crawfish has fewer calories.

What is the fat content in crawfish?

Crawfish contains 1.2 g of fat per 100 g. This is relatively low compared to many other protein sources.

What is the sodium level in shrimp?

Shrimp contains 111 mg of sodium per 100 g, which is slightly higher than that of crawfish.

Do crawfish and shrimp have sugar?

Both crawfish and shrimp contain 0 g of sugar per 100 g. They are both sugar-free options.

How much fiber is in crawfish?

Crawfish has 0 g of fiber per 100 g. This means it does not contribute to daily fiber intake.

Key Takeaways

• Crawfish: 82 calories per 100 g
• Shrimp: 99 calories per 100 g
• Crawfish: 16.8 g protein per 100 g
• Shrimp: 24.0 g protein per 100 g
• Both have 0 g of sugar and very low carbs
• Crawfish has 1.2 g fat, shrimp has 0.3 g fat