Red Lobster Popcorn Shrimp Price and Calories Guide
Red Lobster Popcorn Shrimp is a bite-sized, breaded shrimp starter served with cocktail sauce, priced around $14.99 for 820 calories in the standard starter size. Red Lobster is widely credited with inventing the dish in 1974 under the original name Walt’s Favorite Shrimp. It also appears on the kids menu, in the Sailor’s Platter, and as a standalone Crunchy Popcorn Shrimp Platter for sharing.
Quick Summary
| Entity | Attribute | Value |
| Red Lobster Popcorn Shrimp | Starter Price | $14.99* |
| Red Lobster Popcorn Shrimp | Reported Price Range | $11.99 to $15.99+, varies by location |
| Red Lobster Popcorn Shrimp | Weekday Lunch Combo Price | Around $9.99 to $10.00* |
| Red Lobster Popcorn Shrimp | Starter Calories | 820 kcal |
| Red Lobster Popcorn Shrimp | Kids Portion Calories | 430 kcal |
| Red Lobster Popcorn Shrimp | Menu Placement | Starters, lunch favorites, kids menu, platters |
| Red Lobster Popcorn Shrimp | Main Ingredients | Bite-sized shrimp, breading, cocktail sauce |
| Red Lobster Popcorn Shrimp | Origin Year | 1974, credited to Red Lobster |
| Red Lobster Popcorn Shrimp | Original Menu Name | Walt’s Favorite Shrimp |
| Red Lobster Popcorn Shrimp | Related Platter | Sailor’s Platter, Crunchy Popcorn Shrimp Platter |
*Prices vary by location and change over time. Always confirm current pricing on the official Red Lobster menu or with your local restaurant before ordering.
Red Lobster offers bite-sized, golden crisp Popcorn Shrimp as a starter, a lunch favorite, a platter addition, and a kids menu item. The dish features shrimp fried until golden brown and served with cocktail sauce. Red Lobster’s own starters page lists it at $14.99 with 820 calories, and the chain is widely credited with introducing popcorn shrimp to the restaurant industry back in 1974. This guide breaks down the price across every menu placement, the calories, and the surprisingly debated history behind the dish.
Red Lobster Popcorn Shrimp Menu Items With Pictures
Red Lobster serves popcorn shrimp in several forms across the menu. Each version uses the same bite-sized, breaded shrimp with small differences in portion and pairing.
Popcorn Shrimp (Starter)
[Image: A basket of golden fried popcorn shrimp with a side of cocktail sauce]
Price: $14.99 | Calories: 820 kcal
Bite-sized shrimp crisped until golden brown and served with cocktail sauce. This is the standard starter portion, and some listings show it priced closer to $11.99 to $12.99 depending on the platform.
Sailor’s Platter (Combination Meal)
[Image: A platter with popcorn shrimp, shrimp scampi, and crispy flounder alongside Chesapeake fries]
Price: $23.99 | Calories: 1,910 kcal
A combination meal featuring popcorn shrimp, shrimp scampi, and crispy wild-caught flounder, served with Chesapeake fries. This option works well if you want popcorn shrimp alongside other seafood favorites, and it sits within the broader Signature Feasts menu.
Kids Popcorn Shrimp
[Image: A smaller portion of popcorn shrimp with fries and ketchup on a kids plate]
Price: $7.99 | Calories: 430 kcal
A smaller portion of popcorn shrimp served with ketchup and a choice of side. This version suits younger diners who want a lighter portion.
Browse the full shrimp menu or the appetizers menu for every current starter and shrimp preparation at Red Lobster.
What Is Popcorn Shrimp?
Popcorn shrimp refers to small, bite-sized shrimp that get breaded and fried until golden brown. The name comes from the size and shape, since each piece is roughly popcorn sized and eaten the same snackable way. Red Lobster typically serves it with cocktail sauce, though kids portions come with ketchup instead.
The dish differs from regular fried shrimp mainly in size and eating style. Regular fried shrimp usually keeps a larger, whole shrimp shape, while popcorn shrimp gets cut smaller and breaded for a crunchier bite in every piece.
Red Lobster Popcorn Shrimp Price
Pricing for popcorn shrimp varies quite a bit depending on how you order it. Red Lobster’s own starters page lists the standalone appetizer at $14.99 with 820 calories, and that figure matches our own menu database. Some delivery platforms and menu trackers show the standalone starter closer to $11.99 to $12.99.
Weekday lunch specials often feature popcorn shrimp as a combo with a side for around $9.99 to $10.00 at participating locations. Check the lunch menu for the current combo lineup. The kids menu version runs about $7.99. Platter and combination options cost more, since they bundle popcorn shrimp with other seafood.
Price disclaimer: prices listed here are estimates gathered from menu data and public listings and may not reflect current pricing at every location.
Calories, Carbs, and Nutrition
The standard starter portion of popcorn shrimp contains 820 calories. Some sources list a smaller serving size at closer to 420 to 430 calories, which lines up with the kids portion rather than the full starter. Carbohydrate content stays moderate for a fried item since the breading contributes most of the carbs, while sodium runs on the higher side due to the fry coating and cocktail sauce.
| Nutrient | Estimated Amount (Starter Portion) |
| Calories | 820 kcal |
| Serving Type | Standard starter |
| Smaller Portion Calories | 420 to 430 kcal (kids/lunch size) |
Treat the smaller calorie figures as accurate for the kids or lunch portion rather than the full starter size. For a complete macro breakdown across the menu, check the Red Lobster nutrition guide.
Crunchy Popcorn Shrimp Platter
Red Lobster also offers a Crunchy Popcorn Shrimp Platter built for sharing or a bigger appetite. This hot platter version runs about $33.99 and packs roughly 2,490 calories, since it includes a larger shrimp portion served with cocktail sauce. Family meal versions of the same platter run in a similar $33.99 to $35.99 range depending on packaging and side inclusions.
This platter suits groups or diners who want popcorn shrimp as a full meal rather than a starter. Pair it with the hot platters menu or the family meals menu to see other sharable options.
Kids Popcorn Shrimp
The kids menu popcorn shrimp gives younger diners a smaller, kid-friendly portion. It comes with ketchup instead of cocktail sauce and includes a choice of side, typically fries or a lighter vegetable option. At roughly $7.99 and 430 calories, it works well as a manageable portion for kids who like fried shrimp but do not need the full starter size.
Who Invented Popcorn Shrimp?
Red Lobster is widely credited with introducing popcorn shrimp to mainstream American dining in 1974. The dish originally appeared on the menu under the name Walt’s Favorite Shrimp, named after the chain’s early chef. Joe Lee, who later became chairman and CEO of Red Lobster’s parent company, said in a 1998 interview that the chain also introduced snow crab and calamari to middle America around the same era.
The history is not entirely settled. Some food historians trace a similar concept to Cajun popcorn, a Louisiana dish built around fried crawfish tails that chef Paul Prudhomme popularized in the 1980s. Prudhomme published his own recipe for the dish in 1984, years after Red Lobster’s version debuted. Most food history sources treat both stories as connected rather than competing, since Prudhomme may have influenced the broader concept of small fried seafood bites while Red Lobster gets credit for the specific name and mainstream launch.
Where to Find Popcorn Shrimp Right Now
Popcorn shrimp remains a menu staple at Red Lobster and shows up across starters, lunch specials, kids menus, and platters. It also appears occasionally inside limited time promotions such as the Weekday Shrimp Trio. Red Lobster brought back its Endless Shrimp promotion for a limited run starting August 17, 2026, featuring five rotating shrimp flavors including a new Garlic Bread-Crusted Shrimp option, though that particular deal focuses on saucier shrimp preparations rather than the fried popcorn style. Check the deals and specials page or your local restaurant for the current lineup since seasonal offers change often.
How to Reheat or Make Popcorn Shrimp at Home
Leftover popcorn shrimp reheats best in an oven or air fryer rather than a microwave, since dry heat keeps the breading crisp instead of soggy. A few minutes at a moderate temperature usually brings back the crunch. If you want to try a homemade version, look for a copycat recipe rather than an official one, since Red Lobster has not published its exact breading formula.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Red Lobster have popcorn shrimp?
Yes. Red Lobster serves popcorn shrimp as a starter, a lunch favorite, a kids menu item, and part of combination platters like the Sailor’s Platter.
Does Red Lobster still have popcorn shrimp?
Yes, popcorn shrimp remains on the current menu across multiple sections, including starters and the kids menu.
Who invented popcorn shrimp?
Red Lobster is generally credited with inventing popcorn shrimp in 1974, originally naming it Walt’s Favorite Shrimp. A competing origin story ties the concept to Cajun popcorn, a Louisiana crawfish dish popularized by chef Paul Prudhomme.
What is popcorn shrimp?
Popcorn shrimp is small, bite-sized shrimp that gets breaded and fried until golden brown, then served with cocktail sauce or ketchup.
What is Walt’s Favorite Shrimp at Red Lobster?
Walt’s Favorite Shrimp was the original name Red Lobster used for popcorn shrimp when it debuted on the menu in 1974.
Who sells popcorn shrimp?
Red Lobster popularized popcorn shrimp and still sells it today, though other seafood chains and grocery freezer sections carry similar bite-sized fried shrimp products.
How many calories are in Red Lobster popcorn shrimp?
The full starter portion contains 820 calories, while the smaller kids or lunch portion runs closer to 420 to 430 calories.
How much is popcorn shrimp at Red Lobster?
The standard starter costs $14.99, though some platforms list it closer to $11.99 to $12.99, and the kids portion runs around $7.99.
How many carbs are in Red Lobster popcorn shrimp?
Exact carb counts vary by portion size and current recipe, since Red Lobster does not publish a single confirmed figure for every version. Check the nutrition guide or ask your server for the most current number.
Is Red Lobster Popcorn Shrimp Worth Ordering in 2026?
Red Lobster Popcorn Shrimp earns its long running popularity through simple, crunchy shrimp bites at a reasonable starter price. At $14.99 for 820 calories, it works well as a shareable appetizer, and the kids and platter versions give you flexibility depending on your appetite. Its 1974 origin story also adds a bit of restaurant history to a dish that shows up on nearly every visit.
If you want to explore more shrimp options before you order, check the shrimp menu or browse the kids menu for other family friendly picks. You can also compare it against the bowls and sandwiches menu or view the full Red Lobster menu list for every category in one place. Either way, confirm current pricing at your local restaurant since starter and platter costs shift by market.
