Crab and Shrimp Seafood Bisque Recipe
A rich and creamy Crab and Shrimp Seafood Bisque featuring tender seafood simmered in a flavorful broth with aromatic vegetables, tomato paste, and a touch of cream. This comforting seafood soup is perfect as an elegant starter or a hearty main course, garnished with fresh herbs for a burst of freshness.
- Author: Joe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American Seafood
Seafood Bisque Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
- 1/4 cup finely chopped celery
- 1/4 cup finely chopped carrot
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups seafood or chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 pound cooked crab meat, picked over for shells
- 1/2 pound cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons sherry (optional)
- Fresh herbs (such as parsley or chives) for garnish
- Prepare the vegetables: In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, celery, and carrot, cooking for about 5 minutes until softened.
- Add garlic and seasonings: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Then add the tomato paste, paprika, cayenne pepper if using, and a pinch of salt and black pepper. Cook for 2 minutes to deepen the flavors.
- Add flour: Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir well to incorporate. Cook for an additional minute to eliminate the raw flour taste.
- Add broth and simmer: Gradually pour in the seafood or chicken broth, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer for 10 minutes.
- Puree the soup: Using an immersion blender or carefully transferring to a regular blender, puree the soup until smooth and creamy.
- Add cream and thicken: Stir in the heavy cream and allow the soup to simmer for another 10 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Add seafood and sherry: Fold in the crab meat and shrimp. If using, add the sherry. Cook for 5 minutes until the seafood is heated through.
- Season and serve: Taste the bisque and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh herbs such as parsley or chives.
Notes
- Using pre-cooked crab meat and shrimp saves time but ensure they are fresh and shell-free.
- Cayenne pepper is optional and adds a mild spicy kick; omit if preferred mild.
- Sherry enhances the bisque’s flavor but can be skipped for a non-alcoholic option.
- If an immersion blender is unavailable, blend in batches carefully in a regular blender.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch slurry.
Keywords: crab bisque, shrimp bisque, seafood bisque, creamy seafood soup, shellfish soup, easy seafood recipe, dinner soup