Tantalizing Crab and Shrimp Seafood Bisque Recipe for Cozy Nights

Creamy soups spark joy in every kitchen, and this crab and shrimp seafood bisque recipe delivers pure comfort in a bowl.

Rich seafood flavors meld together, creating a luxurious dining experience.

Delicate shellfish swim in a velvety broth that whispers of coastal elegance.

Each spoonful promises a journey through oceanic depths and culinary craftsmanship.

The combination of sweet crab and succulent shrimp creates a harmonious symphony of maritime delights.

seafood lovers will swoon over this restaurant-quality dish that comes together with surprising ease.

Let’s find out this decadent bisque and let its warmth embrace your senses.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 360 kcal

Servings: 5

Crab and Shrimp Seafood Bisque Ingredients

• Cooked Shrimp: Tender protein packed with sweet ocean flavor, choose fresh or frozen with firm texture and no fishy smell.
• Cooked Crab Meat: Delicate, succulent seafood that adds luxurious richness, select fresh lump or backfin meat for best taste.

• Onion, Celery, Carrot: Classic mirepoix blend creates deep foundational flavor, dice uniformly for even cooking and balanced taste.
• Garlic: Powerful aromatic that elevates seafood's natural sweetness, select firm cloves without green sprouts.

• Olive Oil: Smooth cooking fat that helps develop base flavors, choose extra virgin for highest quality.
• Paprika, Cayenne Pepper: Warm spices that add subtle heat and complex depth, adjust according to personal spice preference.
• Tomato Paste: Concentrated tomato essence that provides rich color and tangy undertone, select high-quality brands.

• All-Purpose Flour: Crucial thickening agent for silky texture, sift to prevent lumps.
• Heavy Cream: Luxurious component that creates velvety smoothness, select high-fat content cream.
• Sherry: Optional wine that introduces sophisticated depth, use dry variety for best results.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential flavor boosters, use freshly ground black pepper for maximum impact.
• Fresh Herbs (Parsley, Chives, Dill): Bright, fresh garnish that adds visual appeal and light herbal notes.

Tools for Crafting a Creamy Seafood Bisque

• Large pot: Essential for sautéing vegetables and simmering the bisque base.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending broth smoothly and preventing lumps.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping vegetables and herbs.
• Sharp knife: Crucial for precise vegetable and herb preparation.
• Measuring cups: Helps accurately measure broth and cream.
• Wooden spoon: Great for stirring vegetables and mixing ingredients.
• Ladle: Ideal for serving the creamy seafood bisque into bowls.

How to Make Crab and Shrimp Bisque Smooth and Rich

• Vegetable Foundation

Start by sizzling aromatics in a spacious pot. Chop up crisp celery, sweet carrots, and pungent onions. Let them dance and soften over medium warmth while releasing their rich flavors. Add a burst of minced garlic for an extra punch.

• Spice Awakening

Introduce tomato paste with a sprinkle of smoky paprika and fiery cayenne. Allow these ingredients to meld and caramelize, creating a deep, complex base that tingles your taste buds.

• Silky Transition

Dust a light layer of flour over the fragrant vegetables, creating a smooth foundation. Slowly stream in broth, whisking continuously to ensure a velvety texture with zero lumps. Let the mixture simmer and transform into a luxurious liquid.

• Creamy Ocean Harmony

Drizzle in rich cream and welcome delicate seafood treasures. Fold tender shrimp and succulent crab meat into the bubbling mixture. Let them warm gently, absorbing the surrounding flavors.

• Final Flourish

Season with a generous hand of salt and pepper. Garnish with fresh green herbs that add a bright, crisp finish. Ladle into warm bowls and prepare for a delightful seafood experience that celebrates coastal cuisine.

Seafood Bisque Tips and Flavor Upgrades

• Swap chicken or seafood stock with homemade fish stock for an intense ocean-fresh flavor profile that elevates the entire bisque experience.
• Adjust cayenne pepper quantities to match personal heat tolerance – start with a pinch for mild warmth or increase for bolder, zestier results.
• Replace heavy cream with half-and-half or coconut milk for lighter versions that still maintain rich, luxurious texture and provide unique dietary options.
• Experiment with additional seafood like lobster chunks or scallops to create more complex and substantial maritime protein combinations within the bisque.
• Fresh tarragon or thyme can replace traditional parsley garnish, introducing unexpected herbal notes that complement the delicate seafood undertones beautifully.

Serving Seafood Bisque with Bread or Crackers

• Coastal Comfort Classic: Pair this rich bisque with a crisp, chilled white wine like Sauvignon Blanc to balance its creamy texture and enhance the seafood's delicate flavors.
• Bread Companion Delight: Serve alongside toasted French baguette slices or crusty sourdough bread, perfect for dipping and soaking up the luxurious broth.
• Elegant Side Salad Pairing: Create a light green salad with mixed spring greens, cucumber slices, and a zesty lemon vinaigrette to cut through the bisque's richness and provide a refreshing contrast.
• Herbal Garnish Magic: Sprinkle finely chopped fresh chives, parsley, or dill on top just before serving to add a burst of color, brightness, and an aromatic fresh herb element that elevates the entire dish.

How to Store Crab & Shrimp Bisque for Later

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store your seafood bisque in an airtight container within the refrigerator for 2-3 days maximum. Always keep the soup chilled to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Quick Reheating Technique: Warm the bisque gently on stovetop over low-medium heat, stirring occasionally. Avoid high temperatures to prevent cream from separating or seafood becoming rubbery.
• Freezing Wisdom: Skip freezing this cream-based soup, as dairy ingredients tend to separate and texture becomes grainy upon thawing. Freshly prepared bisque always tastes superior to frozen versions.
• Ingredient Separation Trick: If preparing ahead, consider keeping seafood and liquid base separate. Mix components just before serving to ensure optimal texture and prevent seafood from overcooking during storage.

Creamy Crab And Shrimp Seafood Bisque Recipe

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4.7 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Creamy New England-style crab and shrimp seafood bisque combines rich maritime flavors with delicate shellfish. Elegant coastal cuisine delivers comfort in each spoonful that seafood enthusiasts will savor completely.

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Ingredients

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• 4 cups seafood or chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 0.25 pound (113 grams) cooked crab meat (shells removed)
• 0.25 pound (113 grams) cooked shrimp (peeled, deveined, chopped)
• 0.25 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsps tomato paste
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 0.25 cup onion (finely chopped)
• 0.25 cup celery (finely chopped)
• 0.25 cup carrot (finely chopped)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 tbsps sherry (optional)
• 1 tsp paprika
• 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
• Salt (to taste)
• Black pepper (to taste)
• Fresh herbs (parsley, chives, or dill) for garnish

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Instructions

1. Sauté Base: In a large pot over medium heat, caramelize diced celery, carrots, and onions until translucent, approximately 4-5 minutes. Introduce minced garlic and cook for an additional minute to release aromatic flavors.
2. Spice Integration: Blend tomato paste with paprika and cayenne pepper, stirring to create a rich, spice-infused foundation. Develop depth by allowing the mixture to caramelize for 1-2 minutes.
3. Roux Development: Dust all-purpose flour over the vegetable mixture, whisking continuously to construct a smooth roux. Gradually incorporate seafood or chicken broth, maintaining a consistent stirring technique to prevent lumping.
4. Liquid Transformation: Simmer the mixture for 10-12 minutes, allowing natural thickening to occur. Enhance flavor complexity by introducing sherry wine during this stage, creating a nuanced taste profile.
5. Cream and Seafood Integration: Reduce heat and gently fold heavy cream into the pot. Delicately incorporate chopped shrimp and crab meat, warming them through without compromising their tender texture.
6. Final Seasoning and Presentation: Season the bisque with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Ladle into serving bowls and embellish with finely chopped fresh herbs like parsley, chives, or dill for a vibrant, aromatic finish.

Notes

• Roux Mastery: Carefully toast flour with vegetables to eliminate raw flour taste and create a rich, nutty foundation that enhances the bisque’s depth of flavor.
• Seafood Timing: Add delicate shrimp and crab meat at the end of cooking to prevent toughening, ensuring tender, perfectly cooked seafood that remains moist and succulent.
• Spice Balance: Adjust cayenne and paprika carefully – start with less and taste, as these can quickly overpower the delicate seafood flavors.
• Cream Technique: Add heavy cream off direct heat and stir gently to prevent curdling, maintaining a smooth, luxurious texture throughout the bisque.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg