Coastal Delight Seafood Bisque Recipe

Coastal Delight Seafood Bisque Recipe: Cozy Ocean Magic

Coastal delight seafood bisque brings the ocean’s rich, velvety essence straight to your kitchen table.

Luxurious and creamy, this recipe elevates simple ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience.

seafood lovers recognize the magic of a perfectly balanced bisque that whispers maritime stories with each spoonful.

Smooth textures and complex flavors dance together, creating a sophisticated yet comforting dish that feels both elegant and familiar.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike appreciate the nuanced techniques required to craft such a remarkable soup.

Delicate seafood mingles with aromatic herbs and robust seasonings, promising a memorable dining adventure that transports you to seaside restaurants.

Stunning in presentation and deeply satisfying in taste, this coastal delight seafood bisque will become your new favorite comfort meal.

Why Seafood Bisque Feels So Luxurious

  • Savor Rich Seafood Flavors: This bisque bursts with succulent shrimp and tender crab meat, delivering an ocean-fresh taste that dances across your palate with every luxurious spoonful.
  • Craft a Creamy Comfort Dish: The velvety smooth texture combines perfectly melted butter, whole milk, and heavy cream, creating an indulgent soup that wraps you in warmth and sophistication.
  • Master a Quick Gourmet Meal: Requiring just 20-30 minutes from start to finish, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into an elegant seafood experience that looks and tastes like a restaurant-quality dish without complex cooking techniques.
  • Celebrate Coastal Cuisine Easily: With basic pantry staples and minimal prep work, home cooks can effortlessly bring a taste of seaside dining directly to their kitchen, making gourmet cooking accessible and enjoyable.

What Goes into This Creamy Ocean-Inspired Dish

Seafood Base:
  • Shrimp: Fresh, sweet ocean protein that brings rich seafood flavor to the bisque.
  • Crab Meat: Delicate, tender seafood that adds luxurious texture and marine sweetness.
Aromatics and Vegetables:
  • Green Onion, Celery: Aromatic vegetables that provide depth and subtle background flavor to the soup.
Thickening and Creamy Components:
  • Butter: Rich dairy fat that helps create smooth base and adds depth of flavor.
  • Flour: Classic thickening agent that helps create bisque's signature velvety texture.
  • Heavy Whipping Cream, Whole Milk: Creamy dairy components that deliver richness and smooth consistency.
  • Tomato Paste: Concentrated flavor enhancer that adds depth and slight tangy undertone.
Seasoning:
  • Old Bay Seasoning: Classic seafood spice blend with signature maritime taste profile.
  • Salt, Pepper: Essential flavor boosters that balance and enhance overall dish taste.

How to Simmer Bisque with Seafood Depth

Step 1: Prepare the Cooking Foundation

Gather all ingredients and kitchen tools. Select a large saucepan with a heavy bottom for even heat distribution.

Step 2: Melt the Butter

Heat saucepan over medium-high heat. Add butter and let it melt completely, creating a golden base for your seafood bisque.

Step 3: Sauté the Aromatic Vegetables

Add vegetables to the melted butter:
  • Finely diced celery
  • Chopped green onions

Stir and cook until vegetables become soft and release their fragrant flavors, approximately 3-4 minutes.

Step 4: Create the Flavor Base

Sprinkle flour over the sautéed vegetables. Stir continuously for one minute to cook out the raw flour taste and create a smooth roux.

Step 5: Build the Creamy Liquid Foundation

Warm whole milk in a separate container. Slowly pour and whisk milk into the saucepan, eliminating potential lumps and creating a silky smooth texture.

Step 6: Enhance the Bisque Flavor Profile

Incorporate additional ingredients:
  • Heavy whipping cream
  • Tomato paste
  • Old Bay seasoning

Stir thoroughly and simmer on low heat until the mixture thickens and develops rich flavors.

Step 7: Add Fresh Seafood

Gently fold seafood into the creamy base:
  • Shrimp
  • Crab meat

Cook until seafood is heated through and perfectly tender.

Step 8: Final Seasoning and Presentation

Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top. Serve immediately in warm bowls for maximum enjoyment.

Tips for a Smooth, Rich Broth Every Time

  • Select Fresh Seafood: Choose high-quality, fresh shrimp and crab meat from a reputable seafood market to ensure the most delicious and authentic flavor profile.
  • Control Roux Consistency: Stir the flour and butter mixture constantly to prevent burning and create a smooth, lump-free base for your bisque.
  • Warm Milk Technique: Heat milk separately before adding to prevent curdling and achieve a silky, creamy texture that coats the palate perfectly.
  • Seasoning Balance: Use Old Bay sparingly, tasting as you go to maintain a delicate seafood flavor without overwhelming the natural sweetness of the shellfish.
  • Garnish Wisely: Sprinkle fresh parsley just before serving to add a bright, fresh note and beautiful color contrast to the rich, creamy bisque.

Storing Bisque Without Losing Texture

  • Refrigerate: Transfer cooled bisque to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep seafood freshness by sealing tightly.
  • Reheat Gently: Warm slowly in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add a splash of milk or cream to restore creamy consistency.
  • Avoid Freezing: Cream-based soups tend to separate when frozen, so enjoy your bisque fresh within a couple of days for best taste and texture.

Perfect Pairings with Your Seafood Bowl

  • Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a chardonnay or sauvignon blanc to complement the creamy seafood bisque's rich flavors and cut through its velvety texture.
  • Match with Crusty Artisan Bread: Serve alongside a warm baguette or sourdough slice to soak up the luxurious bisque and add delightful textural contrast.
  • Enhance with Light Citrus Salad: Create a zesty side salad with mixed greens, orange segments, and a light vinaigrette to balance the bisque's decadent creaminess.
  • Conclude with Sparkling Aperitif: Finish the meal with a refreshing prosecco or champagne to cleanse the palate and elevate the seafood dining experience.

Ocean-Inspired Variations to Explore

  • Spicy Ocean Bisque: Add diced jalapeños and a dash of cayenne pepper for a fiery kick that elevates the seafood flavors.
  • Mediterranean Seafood Soup: Replace Old Bay seasoning with oregano, thyme, and a splash of white wine for a European-inspired variation.
  • Creamy Lobster Edition: Substitute crab and shrimp with chunks of tender lobster meat, enhancing the luxurious texture and rich maritime taste.
  • Coconut Seafood Fusion: Incorporate coconut milk instead of heavy cream and add ginger and lemongrass for a tropical Southeast Asian profile.
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Coastal Delight Seafood Bisque Recipe

Coastal Delight Seafood Bisque Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 16 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Coastal Delight Seafood Bisque brings ocean flavors straight to your kitchen with rich, creamy elegance. Succulent seafood and velvety broth create a luxurious experience that whisks you to seaside culinary bliss.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Seafood Ingredients:

  • 8 ounces (226 grams) Shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 8 ounces (226 grams) Crab Meat

Dairy and Cream Base:

  • 1 ½ cups (360 milliliters) Heavy Whipping Cream
  • 2 cups (480 milliliters) Whole Milk
  • 4 tablespoons (60 grams) Butter

Vegetables and Seasonings:

  • ⅓ cup (53 grams) Green Onion, chopped
  • ⅓ cup (50 grams) Celery, finely diced
  • 3 tablespoons (24 grams) Flour
  • 1 tablespoon (15 grams) Tomato Paste
  • 1 teaspoon (5 grams) Old Bay Seasoning
  • Salt, to taste
  • Pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Initiate the culinary process by gently melting butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat, allowing it to transform into a golden, aromatic liquid.
  2. Introduce finely diced celery and chopped green onions to the simmering butter, sautéing until the vegetables become translucent and release their delicate fragrance.
  3. Sprinkle flour into the vegetable mixture, creating a smooth roux and stirring constantly to eliminate any raw flour undertones, cooking for approximately one minute.
  4. Warm the whole milk separately, then slowly incorporate it into the saucepan, whisking methodically to ensure a silky, lump-free base for the bisque.
  5. Enhance the creamy foundation by adding heavy whipping cream, tomato paste, and Old Bay seasoning, stirring thoroughly to blend the flavors and allow the mixture to simmer gently.
  6. Delicately fold succulent shrimp and tender crab meat into the simmering liquid, cooking until the seafood is perfectly heated and reaches optimal doneness.
  7. Fine-tune the bisque’s flavor profile with a judicious balance of salt and pepper, tasting and adjusting as needed.
  8. Elevate the presentation by sprinkling freshly chopped parsley over the bisque, creating a vibrant garnish that adds both visual appeal and a hint of herbaceous brightness.
  9. Serve the coastal delight immediately, ensuring the bisque is piping hot and ready to tantalize the taste buds.

Notes

  • Savor the ocean’s bounty with this rich, velvety seafood bisque that captures coastal flavors in every spoonful.
  • Creamy textures and delicate seafood mingle together, creating a luxurious meal that feels like a gourmet restaurant experience at home.
  • Perfectly balanced seasoning and quick preparation make this bisque an ideal comfort dish for seafood lovers seeking a quick yet impressive dinner option.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 490
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 600 mg
  • Fat: 36 g
  • Saturated Fat: 22 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 19 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 25 g
  • Cholesterol: 150 mg
Alex Reed

Alex Reed

Founder & Lead Content Writer

Expertise

Recipe Development and Testing​, Culinary Education​, Food Writing and Blogging​, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Global Cuisine Exploration

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and contemporary cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development. Emphasized hands-on experience in diverse culinary traditions.​

Le Cordon Bleu Paris

  • Program: Diplôme de Cuisine
  • Focus: Advanced instruction in French culinary techniques, including sauce preparation, pâtisserie, and haute cuisine.​

Alex Reed is an inventive chef and food creator with a passion for dishes that balance taste, health, and sustainability. 

Trained at Portland Community College and holding an Advanced Pastry Arts certificate from Oregon Culinary Institute, Alex brings more than 10 years of practical culinary experience to every recipe he develops. 

His background uniquely blends traditional cooking skills with modern, mindful eating principles. As the founder of Beard and Bonnet, Alex creates recipes that encourage readers to cook confidently.

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