Cozy Crab and Shrimp Bisque Recipe: A Heartwarming Soup Magic

Creamy seafood lovers rejoice as this remarkable crab and shrimp delightful bisque recipe promises a luxurious dining experience.

Rich maritime flavors dance across your palate with each spoonful of this silky smooth soup.

Tender chunks of succulent crab and plump shrimp meld perfectly with a velvety base that whispers coastal elegance.

Fresh herbs and a subtle blend of spices enhance the delicate seafood notes, creating a sophisticated starter or main course.

The recipe balances complex flavors with surprising simplicity, making it accessible for home cooks of all skill levels.

Comfort and refinement merge in this elegant dish that transforms an ordinary meal into an extraordinary culinary adventure.

Dive into this irresistible bisque and let the ocean’s bounty captivate your senses.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 446 kcal

Servings: 5

Crab and Shrimpful Bisque Ingredient List

• Onion: Provides a sweet, foundational flavor that enhances the overall depth of the bisque.
• Garlic: Adds a robust, aromatic punch that complements the seafood's delicate taste.
• Carrot: Brings a subtle sweetness and beautiful golden color to the soup.
• Celery: Contributes a fresh, crisp undertone and traditional mirepoix aromatics.

• Crab Meat: Delivers a luxurious, sweet marine flavor with delicate texture.
• Shrimp: Offers a succulent, tender protein that adds elegant maritime character.

• Butter: Creates a rich, velvety base with beautiful golden undertones.
• Olive Oil: Adds a smooth, fruity base note and helps prevent butter from burning.
• Flour: Acts as a natural thickener to give the bisque its signature silky consistency.
• Seafood or Chicken Broth: Builds a deep, savory liquid foundation for the soup.
• Heavy Cream: Provides luxurious richness and creates a smooth, elegant texture.
• Smoked Paprika: Introduces a subtle smoky warmth with vibrant red color.
• Old Bay Seasoning: Delivers classic seafood-friendly spice blend with maritime flair.
• Cayenne Pepper: Adds a gentle, warming heat that elevates the entire dish.
• Salt and Pepper: Enhances and balances all the intricate flavor profiles.
• Fresh Parsley: Offers a bright, fresh garnish with clean herbal notes.

Tools to Create a Creamy Bisque Experience

• Large pot: Essential for sautéing vegetables and simmering the bisque.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping vegetables and preparing ingredients.
• Chef's knife: Perfect for precise vegetable and ingredient preparation.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients smoothly.
• Immersion blender: Ideal for blending soup directly in the pot for creamy texture.
• Standard blender: Alternative option for blending soup in batches if no immersion blender.
• Whisk: Crucial for preventing lumps when adding broth and mixing ingredients.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Helps maintain accurate ingredient proportions.

Cooking Your Crab and Shrimp Bisque the Simple Way

Seafood Comfort Brew

• Veggie Awakening

In a cozy pot, warm butter and olive oil. Toss in chopped onions, garlic, carrots, and celery. Let them dance and soften, releasing their delightful aromas for about 5-7 minutes.

• Silky Foundation

Dust the veggies with a light layer of flour, stirring to coat evenly. Pour in broth slowly, whisking to create a smooth, luxurious base. Let the mixture bubble gently for 10 minutes.

• Creamy Transformation

Grab an immersion blender and transform the mixture into a velvety dream. If you don’t have one, carefully transfer to a blender, working in batches to achieve a super smooth texture.

• Flavor Explosion

Return the blend to the pot and welcome heavy cream, a sprinkle of smoked paprika, a dash of Old Bay, and a hint of cayenne. Let everything mingle and simmer softly for 5 minutes.

• Ocean's Treasure

Gently fold in succulent crab and shrimp, warming them through without harsh boiling. Treat the seafood with tender love for about 5 minutes.

• Final Touch

Taste and adjust seasonings. Ladle into warm bowls and crown with fresh parsley. Enjoy your comforting seafood brew!

Adjusting Flavors in Crab and Shrimp Bisque

• Seafood Splash Secrets: Elevate your bisque with these pro tips and tasty twists.
• Fresh Catch Selection: Choose the freshest crab and shrimp from local seafood markets for the most vibrant flavor profile.
• Spice Level Adjustment: Dial up or tone down the heat by modifying cayenne pepper and Old Bay seasoning to match your personal taste preference.
• Creamy Texture Tricks: For an ultra-smooth consistency, strain the blended base through a fine-mesh sieve before adding cream and seafood.
• Seafood Substitution Options: Swap crab and shrimp with lobster, scallops, or a mixed seafood medley for delightful recipe variations.

Best Ways to Present This Rich Bisque

• Oceanic Bread Companions: Serve with crusty sourdough or French baguette slices, perfect for dipping into the rich, creamy bisque and soaking up all those delectable seafood flavors.
• Elegant Seafood Pairing: Complement the bisque with a light citrus salad or simple mixed greens, adding a fresh contrast to the decadent, velvety soup and balancing its luxurious texture.
• Crisp Wine Selection: Match this bisque with a chilled Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc, whose crisp acidity and subtle buttery notes will beautifully enhance the seafood's delicate sweetness and creamy base.
• Herb-Infused Finishing Touch: Sprinkle extra chopped fresh herbs like chives or dill just before serving, adding a bright, aromatic element that lifts the bisque's rich, complex flavors and provides a stunning visual garnish.

Storing Bisque for Another Delicious Bowl

• Smart Storage Solutions
• Chilled Container Strategy: Transfer the bisque to an airtight glass or ceramic container, ensuring it cools completely before refrigerating. Seal tightly and store in the coldest part of the refrigerator for optimal freshness.
• Freezing Friendly Approach: Carefully pack the bisque in freezer-safe containers, leaving about an inch of space at the top for expansion. Label with the date and contents, keeping frozen for up to 2 months. Pro tip: Avoid freezing portions with shrimp to maintain the best texture.
• Reheating Magic: Gently warm the bisque in a saucepan over low-medium heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of fresh broth or cream to restore the original creamy consistency. Never rush the reheating process or use high heat to prevent separation.
• Portion Perfect Planning: Divide the bisque into individual serving sizes before storing. This smart approach allows you to thaw and enjoy exactly the amount you want without waste, making meal prep a breeze for busy days or quick lunch solutions.

Creamy Crab and Shrimp Bisque Recipe

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4.9 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Creamy crab and shrimp delightful bisque emerges as a luxurious coastal classic from Southern kitchens. Fresh seafood and rich cream blend harmoniously, inviting you to savor sophisticated maritime flavors in one elegant dish.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 8 oz (226 g) cooked shrimp, peeled and chopped
• 8 oz (226 g) cooked crab meat
• 4 cups (946 ml) seafood or chicken broth
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
• 2 tbsps butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 carrot, finely diced
• 1 celery stalk, finely diced
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
• 0.5 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Sauté Aromatics: Warm butter and olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add finely chopped onion, garlic, carrot, and celery, cooking until translucent and fragrant, about 5-6 minutes.
2. Create Roux: Sprinkle flour over softened vegetables, stirring thoroughly to coat evenly and create a smooth base for the bisque.
3. Build Liquid Foundation: Gradually pour in seafood or chicken broth, whisking continuously to prevent flour lumps and create a uniform mixture. Simmer for 10 minutes to develop rich flavors.
4. Smooth Transformation: Purée the mixture using an immersion blender or transfer to a standard blender, processing until achieving a silky-smooth consistency.
5. Enhance Flavor Profile: Return puréed base to the pot, introducing heavy cream, smoked paprika, Old Bay seasoning, and a hint of cayenne pepper. Stir to integrate complex flavor notes.
6. Incorporate Seafood: Delicately fold crab meat and shrimp into the simmering cream base, warming gently to maintain their tender texture.
7. Final Seasoning: Adjust salt and pepper to balance the bisque’s flavor, ensuring the seafood’s natural sweetness shines through.
8. Presentation: Ladle the bisque into serving bowls, garnishing with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant finishing touch.

Notes

• Master Seafood Selection: Choose fresh, high-quality crab and shrimp for optimal flavor and texture, preferably from a trusted seafood market.
• Blending Technique: Use an immersion blender for safer, easier blending directly in the pot, avoiding messy transfers and potential burns.
• Cream Integration: Add cream slowly and at low heat to prevent curdling, maintaining the bisque’s silky smooth consistency.
• Seasoning Strategy: Adjust spices gradually, tasting as you go to balance heat and flavor without overwhelming the delicate seafood notes.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 446
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 860 mg
• Fat: 31 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 135 mg