Seafood Bisque Bowl

Short Description

Seafood bisque is a rich, creamy, and flavorful soup made with a blend of shrimp, crab, and lobster in a velvety broth infused with butter, cream, and aromatic seasonings. This indulgent dish is perfect for a cozy dinner or an elegant appetizer.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Luxuriously creamy – A smooth, rich, and flavorful broth.
  • Packed with seafood – A mix of shrimp, crab, and lobster for the ultimate bisque.
  • Restaurant-quality at home – Impress guests with this gourmet dish.
  • Customizable – Adjust the seafood selection or spice level to your liking.
  • Perfect for special occasions – Great for holidays, date nights, or dinner parties.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Bisque:

  • Butter
  • Onion (finely chopped)
  • Celery (finely chopped)
  • Garlic (minced)
  • Tomato paste
  • Flour (for thickening)
  • White wine (optional, for depth of flavor)
  • Seafood stock (or chicken broth)
  • Heavy cream
  • Old Bay seasoning
  • Paprika
  • Cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
  • Salt and black pepper

For the Seafood:

  • Shrimp (peeled and deveined)
  • Lump crab meat
  • Lobster tail (chopped)
  • Fresh parsley (for garnish)

Directions

  1. Sauté the aromatics – In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Sauté onion, celery, and garlic until soft.
  2. Make the base – Stir in tomato paste and flour, cooking for 1-2 minutes. Deglaze with white wine (if using).
  3. Simmer the broth – Add seafood stock, Old Bay, paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 15 minutes.
  4. Blend for smoothness – Use an immersion blender to purée the soup until silky (or leave slightly chunky if preferred).
  5. Add seafood – Stir in shrimp, crab, and lobster. Cook until shrimp is pink and opaque, about 5 minutes.
  6. Finish with cream – Reduce heat and stir in heavy cream for a velvety texture.
  7. Serve and enjoy – Ladle into bowls, garnish with parsley, and serve with crusty bread.

Servings and Timing

  • Servings: 4-6
  • Prep time: 10 minutes
  • Cook time: 25 minutes
  • Total time: 35 minutes

Variations

  • Spicy bisque – Add extra cayenne or hot sauce.
  • Dairy-free option – Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream.
  • Extra rich – Stir in a splash of cognac or sherry.
  • Vegetable add-ins – Mix in corn or diced potatoes for heartiness.
  • Different seafood – Swap lobster for scallops or clams.

Storage/Reheating

  • Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
  • Freezing: Freeze without the cream for up to 2 months. Thaw and stir in cream when reheating.
  • Reheating: Warm over low heat, stirring occasionally. Avoid boiling to prevent curdling.

FAQs

Can I make seafood bisque ahead of time?

Yes! Make the broth in advance and add seafood when reheating.

What’s the best seafood stock to use?

Homemade stock from shrimp shells or lobster shells gives the best flavor.

How do I thicken the bisque?

Use extra flour or let it simmer longer to reduce naturally.

Can I use frozen seafood?

Yes! Just thaw and drain before adding to the bisque.

What pairs well with seafood bisque?

Crusty bread, garlic toast, or a fresh green salad.

Can I use milk instead of heavy cream?

Yes, but the bisque will be less rich and creamy.

What’s the best way to get a smooth bisque?

Blend the broth before adding seafood for a silky texture.

Can I make this bisque gluten-free?

Yes! Use cornstarch instead of flour for thickening.

Is this dish keto-friendly?

Yes, if you replace flour with almond flour or a low-carb thickener.

How do I make it extra flavorful?

Use roasted tomatoes and homemade seafood stock for depth.

Conclusion

This seafood bisque bowl is an elegant, creamy, and deeply flavorful dish that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a special dinner or just treating yourself to a comforting meal, this bisque delivers a restaurant-quality experience at home. Try it today for a rich and satisfying seafood delight!

Print

Seafood Bisque Bowl

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

This Seafood Bisque Bowl is a rich and creamy soup loaded with tender shrimp, crab, and lobster in a luxurious, buttery broth. Infused with garlic, white wine, and a touch of Old Bay seasoning, it’s the perfect comfort dish for seafood lovers! Serve it in a bread bowl or with crusty bread for an indulgent meal.

  • Author: Beth
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 46 servings 1x
  • Category: Soup
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: French, American

Ingredients

Scale

For the Bisque:

  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
  • 1 carrot, finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup dry white wine (optional)
  • 3 cups seafood stock (or chicken broth)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup whole milk
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for spice)

For the Seafood:

  • ½ lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • ½ lb lump crab meat
  • ½ lb lobster meat (or additional shrimp/crab)

For Serving:

  • 4 small bread bowls (or crusty bread)
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice (for brightness)
  • Extra Old Bay seasoning (for garnish)

Instructions

Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables

  1. In a large pot, melt butter and olive oil over medium heat.
  2. Add onion, garlic, celery, and carrot, and cook for 5 minutes until softened.

Step 2: Build the Bisque Base

  1. Sprinkle in flour and stir continuously for 1 minute to form a roux.
  2. Pour in white wine, scraping the bottom of the pot to deglaze. Simmer for 2 minutes.
  3. Stir in seafood stock, tomato paste, Old Bay seasoning, paprika, salt, and cayenne (if using). Simmer for 10 minutes.

Step 3: Blend & Add Cream

  1. Use an immersion blender (or transfer to a regular blender) and blend until smooth.
  2. Stir in heavy cream and milk, then lower the heat to a gentle simmer.

Step 4: Cook the Seafood

  1. Add shrimp, crab, and lobster, cooking for 5 minutes until the shrimp turns pink and the seafood is heated through.
  2. Stir in lemon juice and adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 5: Serve & Enjoy

  1. Ladle bisque into bread bowls or regular bowls.
  2. Garnish with fresh parsley and a sprinkle of Old Bay.
  3. Serve hot with crusty bread or oyster crackers.


Notes

  • No Wine? Replace it with extra seafood stock or a splash of lemon juice.
  • Make It Thicker: Add an extra 1 tbsp flour to the roux.
  • Storage: Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat on low heat (avoid boiling).
  • No Lobster? Swap for more shrimp or crab.

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can’t wait to see what you’ve made!

Leave a Comment

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star