Hearty Seafood Bread Bowl Soup Recipe

Savory Seafood Bread Bowl Soup Recipe for Cozy Nights

Steaming hot soup swirls with delightful seafood bread bowl magic, capturing coastal flavors in every spoonful.

Ocean-fresh ingredients dance together in this hearty recipe.

Tender chunks of seafood mingle with rich, creamy broth that promises comfort and warmth.

Each bite delivers a luxurious experience that transports you to seaside kitchens.

The crisp bread bowl cradles this sumptuous soup, creating a perfect vessel for savoring every delectable spoonful.

Aromatic herbs and succulent seafood blend seamlessly, making this dish a true culinary adventure.

Dive into this soul-warming recipe that turns an ordinary meal into an extraordinary dining experience.

How to Keep Seafood Bread Bowl Soup Fresh

  • Smart Storage Solutions: Transfer leftover soup to airtight containers, keeping seafood and liquid separate to maintain optimal texture and prevent soggy bread.
  • Quick Refrigeration Techniques: Cool the soup completely before storing in sealed containers, which helps prevent bacterial growth and maintains freshness for 2-3 days in the refrigerator.
  • Freezing Strategy: Freeze soup base and seafood separately without bread bowls, as cream-based soups can separate when thawed. Use freezer-safe containers and consume within one month for best quality.
  • Reheating Magic: Gently warm soup on stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to restore creamy consistency. Avoid microwave reheating to prevent seafood from becoming rubbery and maintaining delicate flavors.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 5

Seafood Bread Bowl Soup Ingredient List

For Bread Base:
  • Sourdough Bread: Creates a rustic, edible vessel that soaks up the rich soup flavors and adds delightful textural contrast.
For Seafood and Aromatics:
  • Mixed Seafood, Shrimp, Scallops: Brings oceanic sweetness and tender protein to the soup, select fresh or high-quality frozen seafood for best results.
  • Butter: Provides rich, golden foundation for sautéing seafood and building deep flavor profiles.
  • Onion: Offers subtle sweetness and aromatic depth, choose firm and glossy onions for maximum flavor.
  • Garlic: Adds robust, pungent undertones that complement seafood's delicate taste, select plump cloves without sprouting.
For Soup Liquid and Enrichment:
  • Seafood Stock or Chicken Broth: Delivers concentrated maritime or savory base notes, opt for low-sodium varieties to control seasoning.
  • Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious, silky texture and rounds out soup's complex flavor profile.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Introduces nutty, salty dimension that enhances overall soup complexity.
  • Flour: Acts as thickening agent to create smooth, velvety soup consistency.
  • Salt and Pepper: Balances and elevates all ingredient flavors, use freshly ground black pepper for maximum impact.

Kitchen Gear for Bread Bowl Soup Night

Equipment & Tools:
  • Large pot: Essential for cooking seafood and preparing soup base.
  • Whisk: Perfect for smoothly blending stock and preventing lumps.
  • Cutting board: Needed for chopping onions and garlic.
  • Sharp knife: Critical for slicing bread tops and preparing ingredients.
  • Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and sautéing ingredients.
  • Ladle: Helps transfer soup neatly into bread bowls.
  • Measuring cups/spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.

Bread Bowl Soup Instructions Made Easy

  • Bread Bowl Creation

Slice the top off sourdough loaves and carefully scoop out the insides, keeping a thick bread wall. Set aside the bread chunks for dipping later.

  • Seafood Sizzle

Heat butter in a large pot and quickly cook seafood mix until just tender. Remove seafood and set aside to prevent overcooking.

  • Flavor Foundation

In the same pot, sauté onions and garlic until soft and aromatic. Sprinkle flour and create a smooth base. Pour in seafood stock while whisking, letting the mixture simmer and thicken.

  • Creamy Transformation

Reduce heat and introduce heavy cream and parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper, allowing flavors to blend and develop a rich consistency.

  • Final Assembly

Return cooked seafood to the pot, gently mixing and warming through. Ladle the steaming soup into prepared bread bowls, ensuring each serving is generously filled and inviting.

Tips for Enhancing Seafood Bread Bowl Soup

  • Seafood Soup Bread Bowl Cooking Tips & Variations
  • Seafood Selection Magic: Experiment with different seafood combinations like shrimp, scallops, crab meat, or white fish to create your unique flavor profile. Fresh catches from local markets work best for maximum taste.
  • Bread Bowl Brilliance: Choose sturdy sourdough or artisan bread with thick walls to prevent soggy bottoms. Day-old bread works perfectly and helps prevent unnecessary waste while maintaining structural integrity.
  • Spice Adventure: Kick up the heat by adding red pepper flakes, Old Bay seasoning, or a splash of hot sauce for those craving extra zest. Fresh herbs like chopped dill or parsley can elevate the soup's aromatic qualities.
  • Dietary Twist: Make this recipe gluten-free by using cornstarch instead of flour and selecting gluten-free bread. For lighter versions, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or coconut milk for a creamy alternative that reduces calories.
  • Temperature Trick: Keep soup warm without overcooking seafood by using a low simmer and adding pre-cooked seafood just before serving. This technique ensures tender, perfectly cooked seafood and maintains optimal texture throughout the meal.

How to Serve Bread Bowl Soup at the Table

  • Coastal Comfort Companion: Pair this seafood soup with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc, which complements the rich, creamy broth and enhances the delicate seafood flavors.
  • Bread Bowl Bonus Bites: Use the reserved bread pieces to create crunchy croutons by toasting them with garlic and herbs, then sprinkle on top of the soup for added texture and flavor.
  • Fresh Herb Flourish: Garnish the soup with chopped fresh chives, parsley, or dill to add a bright, fresh element that cuts through the creamy base and provides a pop of color.
  • Side Salad Suggestion: Serve alongside a light mixed green salad with a zesty citrus vinaigrette to balance the soup's richness and provide a refreshing contrast to the creamy seafood dish.
Print
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Hearty Seafood Bread Bowl Soup Recipe

Hearty Seafood Bread Bowl Soup Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 20 reviews

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Hearty New England clam chowder in a homemade bread bowl delights seafood enthusiasts with classic coastal flavors. Creamy, rich texture and fresh ingredients combine for a comforting meal sure to satisfy hungry diners.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lbs mixed seafood (shrimp, scallops, crab meat, or lobster)
  • 2 cups seafood stock or chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 4 large round sourdough bread bowls, hollowed out
  • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsps butter
  • ¼ cup flour
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Bread Preparation: Carve sourdough rounds by slicing off tops and hollowing interiors, maintaining a 1-inch sturdy border. Keep bread pieces for later dipping.
  2. Seafood Sautéing: In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat and quickly sauté mixed seafood until just tender. Remove seafood immediately to prevent overcooking and set aside.
  3. Flavor Foundation: Using the same pot, caramelize onions and garlic until fragrant. Sprinkle flour to create a smooth roux, stirring constantly to eliminate raw flour essence.
  4. Liquid Integration: Slowly pour seafood stock into roux, whisking vigorously to prevent lumps. Simmer and thicken the base for 5 minutes, developing a rich maritime flavor profile.
  5. Creamy Transformation: Reduce heat and blend heavy cream and parmesan, creating a luxurious, silky consistency. Season with salt and pepper, allowing flavors to meld for 3-4 minutes.
  6. Final Assembly: Gently reincorporate cooked seafood into creamy base, ensuring even distribution while preserving seafood’s delicate texture.
  7. Serving Presentation: Ladle steaming seafood mixture into prepared bread bowls, allowing the creamy soup to overflow. Serve immediately with reserved bread pieces for an indulgent dipping experience.

Notes

  • Bread Bowl Technique: Carve sourdough carefully, leaving a 1-inch thick border to prevent soup leakage and ensure structural integrity.
  • Seafood Cooking Tip: Sauté seafood briefly to maintain tenderness, removing immediately to prevent rubbery texture and preserve delicate flavors.
  • Roux Mastery: Continuously stir flour mixture for one full minute to eliminate raw flour taste and create smooth, rich base for soup.
  • Serving Suggestion: Serve immediately after combining ingredients to preserve temperature and maximize flavor complexity, using reserved bread pieces for delightful dipping experience.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 30 g
  • Saturated Fat: 18 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 20 g
  • Cholesterol: 100 mg
Jessica Martin

Jessica Martin

Recipe Developer & Food Writer

Expertise

Recipe Development, Food Styling and Photography​, Seasonal and Local Ingredients​, Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine​, Culinary Education​

Education

Portland Community College

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen management, and food safety. Gained hands-on experience in preparing diverse cuisines and understanding flavor profiles

Oregon Culinary Institute

  • Program: Baking and Pastry Certificate
  • Focus: Specialized education in baking fundamentals, pastry arts, and dessert presentation. Emphasized creativity and precision in crafting baked goods.​

Jessica Martin is a talented food writer and recipe creator who specializes in seasonal cooking and approachable home baking. 

Educated at Portland Community College with additional pastry training from Oregon Culinary Institute, Jessica’s culinary journey spans nearly a decade of creating and sharing flavorful recipes. 

Her deep appreciation for local ingredients shapes each of her recipes, making them both accessible and inspiring. At Beard and Bonnet, Jessica uses her cheerful, down-to-earth writing to help readers effortlessly bring new tastes and creative dishes into their daily routines.

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