Indulgent Seafood Symphony: Crab and Shrimp Bisque Recipe

Creamy soups can transport you to coastal dining experiences with their rich, velvety textures.

This luxurious crab and shrimp seafood bisque captures the essence of ocean-fresh flavors in every spoonful.

Seafood enthusiasts will adore how the delicate crab and succulent shrimp blend seamlessly with a silky base.

The recipe marries delicate shellfish with aromatic herbs and spices that dance on your palate.

Each ingredient is carefully selected to create a harmonious symphony of maritime delights.

Robust and elegant, this bisque promises to elevate your home cooking from ordinary to extraordinary.

Prepare to impress your guests with this restaurant-quality seafood masterpiece that celebrates the treasures of the sea.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 4

What Makes Crab and Shrimp Seafood Bisque Special

• Butter: Rich, creamy base that adds luxurious depth and helps soften vegetables.
• Onion: Provides sweet, foundational flavor and aromatic base for the bisque.
• Garlic: Adds robust, pungent undertone that complements seafood perfectly.

• Flour: Essential for creating smooth roux and providing silky texture to bisque.
• Seafood Stock: Intensifies marine essence and creates profound oceanic undertones.
• Chicken Stock: Alternate option that adds rich, savory background notes.
• Heavy Cream: Delivers luxurious, velvety mouthfeel and rounds out flavor profile.
• Milk: Softens cream's intensity and creates balanced, gentle consistency.
• Sherry: Introduces complex, slightly nutty undertone that elevates seafood complexity.

• Crab Meat: Delicate, sweet protein that brings oceanic richness to bisque.
• Shrimp: Tender, succulent seafood that adds textural contrast and fresh marine flavor.
• Paprika: Contributes warm, slightly smoky color and gentle pepper nuance.
• Cayenne Pepper: Optional spice that provides gentle heat and vibrant kick.
• Salt: Enhances and balances overall flavor profile.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle warmth and traditional seasoning depth.
• Tomato Paste: Introduces rich, concentrated umami and deeper color.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright, fresh garnish that adds visual appeal and herbal note.

Kitchen Tools for Crafting Crab and Shrimp Bisque

• Large pot: Essential for cooking the entire bisque, with high sides for simmering and mixing ingredients.
• Whisk: Perfect for smoothly blending stock and cream, preventing lumps in the sauce.
• Wooden spoon: Helps stir ingredients and create roux without scratching the pot's surface.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities for balanced flavor.
• Sharp knife: Useful for chopping onions and garlic before sautéing.
• Ladle: Helps serve the hot bisque smoothly into serving bowls.

How to Cook Rich and Velvety Crab and Shrimp Bisque

• Sizzle the Base

Melt butter in a large pot and dance onions and garlic around until they become soft and release their tantalizing aroma.

• Create the Thickening Magic

Sprinkle flour over the aromatic mixture, stirring constantly to build a smooth, golden foundation for your luxurious soup.

• Pour and Blend Liquids

Slowly whisk in stock, cream, milk, and sherry, creating a silky canvas for your seafood adventure. Let the mixture bubble gently.

• Infuse with Flavor

Stir in paprika, cayenne, salt, pepper, and tomato paste. Allow the soup to simmer and let the flavors waltz together.

• Introduce the Ocean's Treasures

Tenderly add crab and shrimp, letting them swim briefly in the creamy broth until they turn perfectly pink and succulent.

• Serve with Flair

Taste and adjust seasonings. Ladle into warm bowls, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and present your seafood masterpiece.

Ideas to Add Depth to Your Seafood Bisque

• Seafood Bisque Mastery: Essential Tips and Variations
• Texture Perfection: Use an immersion blender to create a smoother consistency, or leave some chunks for a rustic feel. Blend half the soup for a balanced texture that keeps the seafood pieces intact.
• Protein Swaps: Replace crab and shrimp with white fish like cod or halibut for a different seafood profile. For a budget-friendly version, use imitation crab meat or mix in cheaper seafood options.
• Dietary Adaptations: Make the bisque gluten-free by substituting all-purpose flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend. For a lighter version, swap heavy cream with half-and-half or coconut milk to reduce calories.
• Flavor Boosters: Add roasted red peppers for a sweet depth, or incorporate fresh dill for an herbal touch. A splash of hot sauce can amp up the heat for spice lovers, while a squeeze of lemon brightens the entire dish.
• Make-Ahead Magic: This bisque freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Store in airtight containers and reheat gently, stirring occasionally to maintain the creamy texture without separating.

Serving Seafood Bisque That’s Restaurant-Worthy

• Seafood Feast Pairing: Serve this bisque alongside crispy garlic bread or buttery crackers for delightful texture contrast and extra dipping pleasure.
• Elegant Starter Strategy: Present the bisque as a luxurious first course at dinner parties, using shallow white bowls to showcase the creamy seafood blend.
• Wine Companion Selection: Match the bisque with a crisp Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc to complement the rich, creamy seafood flavors and enhance the overall dining experience.
• Hearty Meal Transformation: Turn this bisque into a complete meal by adding a light mixed green salad with citrus vinaigrette and crusty French bread for a satisfying and balanced dinner.

Best Storage Tips for Crab and Shrimp Bisque

• Fridge Storage Magic: Transfer leftover bisque to airtight containers and refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking. Enjoy within 23 days for optimal taste and safety, keeping seafood quality at its peak.
• Freezing Strategy: Carefully pack bisque in freezer-safe containers, leaving slight expansion room. Freeze up to 1 month, ensuring best texture by avoiding cream separation. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before gentle reheating.
• Reheating Wisdom: Warm bisque slowly over medium-low heat, stirring frequently to prevent scorching. Add splash of stock or cream if sauce appears too thick. Never boil, which can break cream's smooth consistency and toughen seafood.
• Smart Portioning: Divide bisque into individual serving containers for quick weekday lunches. Label with date and contents, making meal prep effortless and reducing food waste. Smaller portions reheat faster and maintain superior flavor profile.

Luxurious Crab And Shrimp Seafood Bisque Recipe

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4.7 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Seafood lovers will adore this creamy crab and shrimp bisque that blends rich maritime flavors with elegant French culinary techniques. Delicate shellfish and velvety broth combine for a luxurious dining experience you’ll savor with each spoonful.

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Ingredients

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• ½ lbs (225g) crab meat, cooked and picked over for shells
• ½ lbs (225g) shrimp, peeled, deveined, and cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup whole milk
• 2 tbsps butter
• ¼ cup dry sherry or white wine
• 2 cups seafood or chicken stock
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsps tomato paste
• ½ tsp paprika
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
• ½ tsp salt (to taste)
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Aromatic Base: Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat, sauté onions and garlic until softened and translucent, releasing their fragrant essence.
2. Roux Development: Sprinkle flour over the aromatics, stirring continuously to create a smooth, golden roux that will provide depth and thickness to the bisque.
3. Liquid Integration: Gradually whisk in seafood stock, ensuring a lump-free, velvety foundation for the bisque, then incorporate heavy cream, milk, and sherry, maintaining a gentle simmer.
4. Flavor Layering: Introduce paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, and tomato paste, stirring to distribute seasonings evenly and allow spices to meld together for 10 minutes.
5. Seafood Infusion: Gently add crab meat and shrimp to the simmering liquid, cooking until shrimp turn pink and reach optimal tenderness.
6. Final Touches: Taste and adjust seasonings, then ladle the creamy bisque into serving bowls, garnishing with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant finish.

Notes

• Control Roux Consistency: Carefully manage butter and flour ratio to prevent a gluey or dry texture, stirring constantly for smooth, silky thickening.
• Protect Seafood Delicacy: Cook shrimp and crab gently to avoid rubbery texture, removing from heat immediately after they turn pink to preserve tenderness and natural sweetness.
• Balance Seafood Intensity: Use sherry and seafood stock judiciously to enhance maritime flavors without overpowering delicate crab and shrimp nuances.
• Temperature Management: Maintain low, steady simmer to prevent cream from separating or burning, creating a velvety, uniform bisque consistency.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 17g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 22g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 25g
• Cholesterol: 150mg