Creamy Crab Bisque – Easy & Luxurious Seafood Soup Recipe
This creamy crab bisque is a rich and luxurious seafood soup that’s easy to make at home. Featuring tender lump crab meat in a smooth, seasoned broth enriched with cream and a touch of spice, it’s the perfect indulgent starter or light meal, complemented beautifully by crusty bread.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Seafood and Dairy
- 1 lb lump crab meat (fresh or canned)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
Vegetables and Aromatics
- ½ cup onion (finely chopped)
- ½ cup celery (finely chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
Seasonings and Others
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups seafood or chicken broth
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp fresh thyme (or ½ tsp dried)
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Melt the unsalted butter in a pot over medium heat, then add finely chopped onions, celery, and minced garlic. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until the vegetables soften and become fragrant.
- Add Seasonings: Stir in tomato paste, Old Bay seasoning, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using). Cook the mixture for an additional 1 to 2 minutes to deepen the flavors.
- Create Roux: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the sautéed vegetables and stir continuously for about 1 minute to cook out the raw flour taste and form a roux, which will thicken the bisque.
- Add Broth and Simmer: Gradually pour in the seafood or chicken broth while stirring to ensure no lumps form. Bring the soup to a simmer and let it cook gently for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the soup to thicken.
- Incorporate Cream and Flavors: Reduce the heat and stir in the heavy cream, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and thyme. Allow the bisque to simmer gently for 5 minutes to blend the creamy texture with the seasoning.
- Fold in Crab Meat: Gently fold in the lump crab meat, being careful not to break up the chunks. Cook the mixture for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until the crab is heated through.
- Adjust Seasoning and Serve: Taste the bisque and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve hot, ideally with crusty bread to soak up the delicious creamy soup.
Notes
- Use fresh lump crab meat for the best flavor, but canned crab meat can be a convenient substitute.
- If you prefer a spicier bisque, increase the cayenne pepper slightly or add a dash of hot sauce.
- For a thicker soup, add a bit more flour when making the roux or reduce the broth slightly during simmering.
- This bisque can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 2 days; reheat gently to avoid curdling the cream.
- Serve with crusty bread or oyster crackers for an authentic experience.
Keywords: crab bisque, seafood soup, creamy soup, easy crab recipe, seafood bisque, summer soup, luxury seafood dish
