Luscious Creamy Crab and Shrimp Seafood Bisque Recipe to Savor

Seafood lovers rejoice as this creamy crab and shrimp seafood bisque delights the senses with its rich, velvety texture.

Packed with succulent chunks of tender crab and plump shrimp, the recipe promises a luxurious dining experience.

Each spoonful brims with oceanic flavors that dance across your palate.

The bisque’s smooth, silky consistency melts effortlessly, creating a comforting warmth that embraces you.

Fresh herbs and a hint of brandy elevate this classic soup to new culinary heights.

Robust and indulgent, this bisque transforms an ordinary meal into an extraordinary celebration of marine delicacies.

Dive into this oceanic treasure and savor every luxurious moment.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 3

What You’ll Need For Creamy Crab And Shrimp Seafood Bisque

• Butter: Provides rich, velvety foundation for sautéing and building deep flavor layers.
• Onion: Adds sweet, earthy undertone and aromatic depth to the bisque.
• Garlic: Brings robust, pungent notes that complement seafood's delicate taste.

• Flour: Creates silky smooth roux, ensuring bisque has luxurious, creamy consistency.
• Heavy Cream, Milk: Deliver luscious, velvety mouthfeel and rounded flavor profile.

• Seafood Stock, Chicken Stock: Builds complex, ocean-inspired base with rich umami character.
• Sherry: Introduces sophisticated, slightly nutty undertone that elevates seafood essence.

• Paprika: Offers warm, slightly smoky undertone with vibrant color.
• Cayenne Pepper: Provides gentle, warming heat that sparks culinary excitement.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Balance and intensify overall flavor composition.
• Tomato Paste: Contributes deep, concentrated sweetness and gorgeous color.

• Crab Meat: Delivers sweet, delicate oceanic flavor with tender, flaky texture.
• Shrimp: Brings succulent, slightly briny protein that complements creamy base.

• Fresh Parsley: Adds bright, fresh finishing touch with vivid green color and herbal note.

Tools For Creamy Crab And Shrimp Seafood Bisque

• Large Pot: Essential for sautéing aromatics and simmering the bisque with enough space to mix ingredients.
• Wooden Spoon: Perfect for stirring onions, garlic, and creating a smooth roux without scratching the pot.
• Whisk: Crucial for blending stock and cream smoothly, preventing any unwanted lumps.
• Measuring Cups/Spoons: Helps accurately measure ingredients like flour, stock, and spices.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping herbs and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: Used for finely dicing onions and garlic, and chopping fresh parsley for garnish.
• Ladle: Helps serve the creamy bisque evenly into bowls.

How To Make Creamy Crab And Shrimp Seafood Bisque

• Aromatic Base

Warm butter in a spacious pot, gently sauteing onions and garlic until they release their delightful fragrance and become soft and translucent.

• Roux Creation

Dust flour over the softened aromatics, stirring continuously to form a smooth, golden base that will thicken the bisque beautifully.

• Liquid Symphony

Slowly incorporate seafood stock, blending smoothly to eliminate any potential lumps. Add cream, milk, and a splash of sherry, bringing the mixture to a gentle, rolling simmer.

• Flavor Infusion

Introduce a dance of spices – paprika, a hint of cayenne, salt, black pepper, and a touch of tomato paste. Let the flavors mingle and develop depth during a leisurely simmer.

• Seafood Embrace

Tenderly fold in succulent crab meat and delicate shrimp, allowing them to nestle into the creamy broth. Cook just until the shrimp turn a perfect pink, preserving their sweet, oceanic essence.

• Final Flourish

Taste and fine-tune the seasoning. Ladle the luxurious bisque into waiting bowls, crowning each with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a burst of color and freshness.

Tips To Elevate Creamy Crab And Shrimp Seafood Bisque

• Seafood Bisque Mastery: Pro Tips & Twists
• Fresh Seafood Selection: Choose the freshest crab and shrimp available, preferably from a local fishmonger. Seek wild-caught or sustainably sourced seafood for the best flavor and quality.
• Creamy Texture Trick: Whisk the roux slowly and consistently to prevent lumps, creating a silky smooth base. Use a wooden spoon or silicon spatula for even blending and smooth incorporation.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Replace flour with cornstarch or almond flour for a gluten-free version. Reduce cream and use half-and-half to lower fat content while maintaining rich taste.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust cayenne pepper based on heat preference. Start with a pinch and gradually increase for those who enjoy subtle warmth without overwhelming spiciness.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare bisque base a day in advance, storing seafood separately. Add crab and shrimp just before serving to maintain optimal texture and prevent overcooking.

Serving Creamy Crab And Shrimp Seafood Bisque Nicely

• Elegant Seafood Dinner Companion: Pair this luxurious bisque with a crisp green salad and crusty artisan bread for a complete gourmet meal experience.
• Coastal Appetizer Setup: Serve small portions in elegant shot glasses or mini ramekins as a sophisticated starter for dinner parties, garnished with a tiny shrimp or parsley sprig.
• Comfort Meal Presentation: Create a cozy dinner scene by serving the bisque in deep ceramic bowls alongside a glass of light white wine like Sauvignon Blanc, which complements the seafood's delicate flavors.
• Texture Contrast Suggestion: Top each serving with crunchy homemade croutons or toasted sliced almonds to add a delightful textural element to the creamy bisque.

How To Store Creamy Crab And Shrimp Seafood Bisque

• Fridge Storage Solutions: Transfer leftover bisque to airtight containers, keeping it chilled for 23 days. Cold temperatures help maintain seafood quality and prevent bacterial growth.
• Quick Reheating Trick: Warm bisque gently over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent separation. Avoid high temperatures that could make cream curdle or seafood become tough.
• Freezing Strategy: Pour cooled bisque into freezer-safe containers, leaving slight expansion room. Store frozen batches up to 1 month, ensuring maximum flavor retention when properly sealed.
• Portioning Wisdom: Divide bisque into individual serving sizes before refrigerating. This technique allows easy thawing and reduces waste, giving you flexible meal options throughout the week.

Rich Crab And Shrimp Seafood Bisque Recipe

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4.7 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 3 1x

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Description

Classic seafood bisque blends rich crab and shrimp in a luxurious cream-based soup from coastal French traditions. Delicate maritime flavors and silky texture invite home cooks to savor elegant coastal cuisine.

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Ingredients

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

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Instructions

1. Aromatic Base: Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat, sauté finely chopped onions and minced garlic until translucent and fragrant.
2. Roux Development: Dust sautéed aromatics with flour, stirring continuously to create a golden roux that will thicken and enrich the bisque’s flavor profile.
3. Liquid Foundation: Whisk in seafood or chicken stock, heavy cream, milk, and sherry, ensuring a smooth, lump-free consistency. Incorporate paprika, cayenne, salt, black pepper, and tomato paste, allowing the mixture to simmer and meld flavors.
4. Seafood Integration: Gently fold crab meat and shrimp into the simmering liquid, cooking until shrimp turn pink and maintain their delicate texture.
5. Final Refinement: Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve in warm bowls, presenting a luxurious and creamy seafood bisque that tantalizes the palate.

Notes

• Prevent Seafood Overcooking: Add shrimp and crab meat in the last 3-4 minutes of cooking to maintain their delicate texture and prevent rubbery consistency.
• Roux Mastery: Continuously whisk flour and butter to avoid burning, creating a smooth base that guarantees a lump-free, silky bisque texture.
• Flavor Enhancement Technique: Use high-quality seafood stock and a splash of sherry to deepen the bisque’s complexity and create a more sophisticated taste profile.
• Dietary Adaptation Tip: Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk or almond cream for a lighter, dairy-free version that maintains the recipe’s rich, creamy essence.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 3
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 17g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 18g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 24g
• Cholesterol: 150mg