Decadent Langostino Lobster Bisque is a luxurious, velvety soup made with tender langostino meat, rich cream, aromatic vegetables, and a hint of sherry for depth. This restaurant-quality dish brings the indulgent taste of seafood bisque to your home kitchen with surprisingly simple preparation, perfect for special occasions or a cozy night in.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Rich, creamy, and deeply flavorful
- Uses langostino tails, a tender and affordable alternative to lobster
- Surprisingly easy and quick to make at home
- Elegant enough for holidays, dinner parties, or romantic dinners
- Can be made ahead of time and reheated for convenience
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 1 pound cooked langostino tails (thawed if frozen)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 stalk celery, finely diced
- 1 carrot, peeled and finely diced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 4 cups seafood stock (or chicken stock)
- 1/2 cup dry sherry
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme (dried or fresh)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh chives or parsley for garnish (optional)
Directions

- Sauté Aromatics: In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, celery, and carrot. Cook until vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add Tomato Paste and Flour: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1–2 minutes. Sprinkle in the flour and cook, stirring, for another minute.
- Deglaze and Simmer: Slowly add the sherry, stirring to deglaze the pot. Gradually add the seafood stock while stirring. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15–20 minutes.
- Blend the Base: Use an immersion blender to blend the soup until smooth, or transfer in batches to a blender.
- Add Cream and Seasonings: Stir in the heavy cream, paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper. Simmer for another 5 minutes.
- Add Langostino Tails: Gently stir in the langostino meat and heat through for 2–3 minutes. Avoid overcooking to keep them tender.
- Serve: Ladle into bowls, garnish with fresh herbs if desired, and serve hot.
Servings and timing
- Servings: 4
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 30 minutes
- Total time: 45 minutes
Variations
- Swap langostino with lobster, shrimp, or crab meat
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a spicy kick
- Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream for a dairy-free version
- Add a splash of brandy or cognac for a deeper flavor profile
- Serve with a crusty baguette or homemade croutons for dipping
Storage/Reheating
- Store bisque in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
- Reheat gently over low heat on the stove, stirring frequently
- Avoid boiling the bisque while reheating to prevent separation
- Freeze cooled bisque for up to 2 months; thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating
FAQs
What are langostino tails?
Langostinos are small, lobster-like crustaceans with sweet, delicate meat, often used as a more affordable alternative to lobster.
Can I use frozen langostino tails?
Yes, just thaw them completely and pat dry before adding to the bisque.
What’s the best stock to use?
Seafood stock enhances the flavor, but good-quality chicken stock works if seafood stock isn’t available.
Is it necessary to blend the soup?
Blending creates a smooth, luxurious texture, but you can skip blending if you prefer a chunkier soup.
Can I make this bisque without alcohol?
Yes, you can omit the sherry, though it adds wonderful depth. Add a little extra seafood stock to replace the liquid.
How can I thicken the bisque?
If you prefer a thicker bisque, add an extra tablespoon of flour when sautéing the vegetables or reduce the soup slightly longer after blending.
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely, just use a large enough pot and adjust simmering times slightly if needed.
What’s the difference between lobster and langostino?
Langostino meat is smaller and slightly firmer than lobster, but it has a very similar sweet flavor.
How do I prevent the langostino from becoming rubbery?
Add the langostino at the end and heat just until warmed through—overcooking can make the meat tough.
What sides go well with lobster bisque?
A simple green salad, garlic bread, or a glass of crisp white wine pairs beautifully with this decadent soup.
Conclusion
Decadent Langostino Lobster Bisque is a luxurious, rich, and flavorful dish that’s sure to impress your family or guests. With tender langostino meat, creamy broth, and subtle seasonings, it’s the perfect comfort food for chilly nights or special celebrations. Easy enough for a weeknight and elegant enough for a dinner party—this bisque is a must-try!
PrintDecadent Langostino Lobster Bisque
A rich and creamy bisque made with tender langostino lobster tails, enhanced with aromatic vegetables, brandy, and cream for a luxurious seafood soup.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: French
Ingredients
- 1 lb cooked langostino tails
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 celery stalk, chopped
- 1 carrot, chopped
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/4 cup brandy or cognac
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 4 cups seafood or chicken stock
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp fresh thyme (or 1/2 tsp dried)
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Chopped chives or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, celery, and carrot. Cook until vegetables are soft, about 6–8 minutes.
- Stir in tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to deepen flavor.
- Deglaze with brandy and cook for 1 minute, then add white wine and simmer until reduced by half.
- Add stock, bay leaf, thyme, and paprika. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Remove bay leaf. Use an immersion blender (or regular blender in batches) to puree the soup until smooth.
- Return to heat, stir in cream and langostino tails. Simmer for 5–7 minutes until heated through. Do not boil.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls and garnish with chopped chives or parsley.
Notes
- Langostino can be substituted with lobster, shrimp, or crab.
- Use seafood stock for the most flavor-rich bisque.
- Make ahead and gently reheat before serving to develop flavor.
- Serve with crusty bread or puff pastry for an elegant presentation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 160mg