Cozy Seafood Bisque Recipe: A Silky Ocean Delight

Creamy and luxurious seafood bisque weaves magic through every spoonful, offering a taste of coastal elegance.

Rich maritime flavors dance across your palate with surprising depth and complexity.

Tender chunks of succulent seafood nestle in a velvety base that whispers of culinary sophistication.

Each ingredient has been carefully selected to create a harmonious symphony of oceanic delights.

The smooth, silky texture promises warmth and comfort in every bite.

seafood lovers will find this recipe irresistibly tempting, with its elegant blend of fresh ingredients and classic techniques.

Get ready to transport your taste buds to a seaside restaurant with this remarkable dish.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 750 kcal

Servings: 7

Ingredients to Build a Rich Seafood Bisque

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy foundation and helps develop deep, luxurious flavor profile.
• Onion: Adds subtle sweetness and aromatic depth to the seafood bisque.
• Garlic: Infuses intense, robust flavor that complements seafood perfectly.
• Tomato Paste: Delivers concentrated tangy notes and vibrant color to the dish.
• Cajun Seasoning, Old Bay Seasoning: Brings zesty, complex spice blend that elevates seafood's natural taste.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates silky smooth thickening base for the bisque.
• Heavy Cream: Delivers luxurious, velvety consistency and rich mouthfeel.
• Whole Milk: Balances cream's intensity and adds additional smooth texture.

• Seafood (Shrimp, Crab, or Lobster): Select fresh, high-quality seafood with firm texture and sweet ocean flavor; choose wild-caught options for best taste and sustainable sourcing; ensure seafood is properly cleaned and deveined before cooking.

Tools for Simmering Seafood Bisque to Perfection

• Large Pot or Dutch Oven: Essential for creating the base and cooking the entire bisque, providing ample space for mixing ingredients.
• Whisk: Perfect for smoothly blending cream, milk, and creating a lump-free roux without any clumps.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for finely dicing onions and mincing garlic to create a flavorful foundation.
• Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for chopping ingredients safely and efficiently.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurately portioning ingredients like flour, cream, and seasonings.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients during the cooking process.

Steps to Prepare Creamy Seafood Bisque at Home

• Ocean's Foundation

Grab a big pot and create a cozy base with butter, letting onions and garlic dance together until they become soft and fragrant, releasing their sweet aroma throughout the kitchen.

• Flavor Symphony

Whisk in a magical blend of seasonings that transform the simple mixture into a rich, velvety canvas, building layers of complex taste that hint at coastal adventures.

• Creamy Transformation

Pour in smooth cream and milk, stirring gently to create a silky landscape where seafood will soon swim and mingle, developing a luxurious texture that promises comfort.

• Seafood Embrace

Drop tender seafood pieces into the warm liquid, allowing them to cook gently and absorb the surrounding flavors, turning the bisque into a coastal celebration.

• Final Touch

Let the bisque simmer softly, allowing ingredients to whisper their secrets to each other, then ladle into warm bowls and crown with a sprinkle of fresh herbs that bring a burst of brightness and life to this maritime feast.

Tips for Enhancing the Flavor of Seafood Bisque

• Seafood Bisque Cooking Tips & Variations
• Seafood Selection Magic: Mix different seafood like shrimp, crab, and scallops for a luxurious texture and complex flavor profile. Freshness matters most, so choose high-quality, recently caught seafood from trusted local markets.
• Creamy Consistency Trick: If the bisque feels too thick, splash in some warm seafood stock or white wine to thin it out smoothly. Conversely, add a bit more flour or simmer longer to thicken the base if it's too runny.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust Cajun and Old Bay seasonings based on personal heat preferences. Start with less and gradually increase to find your perfect spice balance without overwhelming the delicate seafood flavors.
• Storage and Reheat Wisdom: Store leftover bisque in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days. Gently reheat on low heat, stirring frequently to prevent separation and maintain the silky smooth texture.
• Gourmet Upgrade Options: Elevate the dish by adding roasted corn kernels, crispy bacon bits, or a swirl of brandy for an elegant, restaurant-style touch that transforms the traditional seafood bisque.

How to Serve Seafood Bisque with Elegance

• Coastal Companion Plate: Pair this creamy seafood bisque with a crisp, buttery toasted baguette slice to soak up every delicious drop of rich broth.
• Elegant Seafood Sidekick: Serve alongside a light mixed green salad with a zesty lemon vinaigrette to balance the bisque's luxurious, velvety texture and provide a refreshing contrast.
• Herb Garden Finish: Sprinkle fresh chopped chives, parsley, or dill on top to add a vibrant green color, bright flavor, and a professional chef-inspired presentation that elevates the entire dish.
• Wine Pairing Magic: Select a chilled Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc to complement the bisque's creamy profile, enhancing the seafood's delicate flavors and creating a restaurant-quality dining experience at home.

Keeping Seafood Bisque Fresh and Silky

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Keep your seafood bisque in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Ensure the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent flavor absorption from other foods.
• Freezing Wisdom: Safely freeze the bisque without seafood for maximum quality. When ready to enjoy, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat gently, adding fresh seafood during the warming process to prevent overcooking.
• Reheating Perfection: Warm the bisque slowly over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add a splash of cream or milk to restore the original creamy texture if it appears separated or thick.
• Temperature Safety: Always check that seafood reaches an internal temperature of 145°F when reheating to ensure food safety. Use a kitchen thermometer for precise monitoring and to prevent potential foodborne illnesses.

Creamy Seafood Bisque Recipe

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4.7 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Creamy seafood bisque reveals rich French coastal flavors with tender shrimp and delicate crab meat. Culinary enthusiasts will savor complex aromatics and silky texture that transport diners directly to Brittany’s shoreline.

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Ingredients

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• 1.5 lbs (680g) raw seafood of choice (such as shrimp, crab, or lobster)
• 1 cup (226g) butter
• 1 quart (945ml) heavy cream
• 1 quart (945ml) whole milk
• 0.5 cup (65g) all-purpose flour
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsps tomato paste
• 2 tsps Cajun seasoning
• 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning

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Instructions

1. Flavor Foundation: Melt butter in a large pot, sauté onions and garlic until translucent, developing a fragrant base that sets the stage for the seafood bisque.
2. Roux Creation: Whisk in flour, tomato paste, Cajun seasoning, and Old Bay, creating a rich, flavor-packed foundation that will thicken and intensify the bisque’s character.
3. Liquid Harmony: Gradually incorporate heavy cream and whole milk, whisking continuously to produce a smooth, velvety liquid that will cradle the seafood in luxurious comfort.
4. Seafood Infusion: Delicately introduce shrimp, crab, or lobster into the simmering broth, allowing the proteins to cook gently and absorb the complex, layered seasonings.
5. Flavor Refinement: Simmer the bisque on low heat, letting the seafood cook thoroughly while the seasonings meld and intensify, creating a harmonious maritime experience.
6. Final Touch: Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and additional spices to achieve a perfectly balanced flavor profile that showcases the oceanic ingredients.
7. Presentation: Serve the steaming bisque in warm bowls, garnishing with fresh herbs like parsley or chives, and optionally dust with extra Cajun seasoning for a vibrant finish.

Notes

• Bloom Spices Carefully: Toast Cajun and Old Bay seasonings briefly in butter to unlock their deepest, most complex flavor compounds before adding liquid ingredients.
• Prevent Cream Curdling: Whisk cream and milk gradually at low-medium heat, ensuring smooth texture by maintaining consistent temperature and avoiding rapid boiling.
• Seafood Timing Matters: Add delicate seafood like shrimp and crab in the final 3-5 minutes of cooking to preserve tenderness and prevent rubbery, overcooked texture.
• Herb Freshness Boost: Sprinkle fresh herbs immediately before serving to maintain vibrant color, retain maximum aromatic oils, and enhance the bisque’s visual and flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 750
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 60g
• Saturated Fat: 36g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 20g
• Cholesterol: 200mg