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Crab and Shrimp Seafood Bisque Recipe

5 from 146 reviews

A rich and creamy Crab and Shrimp Seafood Bisque featuring tender seafood in a smooth, flavorful broth enhanced with aromatic vegetables, tomato paste, and a touch of sherry. Perfectly balanced with spices and herbs, this classic bisque is an elegant and comforting seafood soup.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables and Aromatics

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped celery
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped carrot
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced

Spices and Flavorings

  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Thickening and Liquid Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups seafood or chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream

Seafood and Garnish

  • 1/2 pound cooked crab meat, picked over for shells
  • 1/2 pound cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons sherry (optional)
  • Fresh herbs (such as parsley or chives) for garnish

Instructions

  1. Sauté Vegetables: In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, and carrot, cooking until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
  2. Add Seasonings: Stir in the tomato paste, paprika, cayenne pepper if using, and a pinch of salt and black pepper. Cook these ingredients for 2 minutes to deepen the flavors.
  3. Add Flour: Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir thoroughly until fully incorporated. Cook for 1 minute to eliminate the raw flour taste.
  4. Incorporate Broth: Gradually pour in the seafood or chicken broth while stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat and maintain a gentle simmer for 10 minutes.
  5. Puree Soup: Use an immersion blender directly in the pot or transfer batches to a regular blender to puree the soup until smooth, creating a creamy base.
  6. Add Cream and Simmer: Stir in the heavy cream, then simmer for an additional 10 minutes until the bisque is slightly thickened.
  7. Add Seafood and Sherry: Add the crab meat and shrimp to the bisque, along with the optional sherry. Cook for 5 minutes or until the seafood is heated through.
  8. Adjust Seasoning and Serve: Taste the bisque and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh herbs such as parsley or chives.

Notes

  • For extra heat, include the optional cayenne pepper. Omit if sensitive to spicy flavors.
  • Sherry enhances the flavor but can be omitted for a non-alcoholic version.
  • Use fresh seafood if possible for best taste and texture.
  • To save time, use pre-cooked seafood, but ensure it is properly reheated in the last step.
  • Adjust thickness by adding more broth or cream according to preference.

Keywords: Crab bisque, shrimp bisque, seafood soup, creamy seafood bisque, crab and shrimp soup, easy bisque recipe