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Rich Creamy Seafood Soup

Featured in Cozy soups to warm your heart.

This classic seafood bisque blends smooth creaminess with flavorful shrimp and crab, highlighted by sherry for a comforting dish.

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Maria from tastyhush
Updated on Sun, 23 Mar 2025 13:59:59 GMT
A creamy seafood soup topped with green onions and a dollop of sour cream. Pin it
A creamy seafood soup topped with green onions and a dollop of sour cream. | tastyhush.com

Seafood Bisque brings together comfort and elegance in one bowl. This smooth, velvety soup combines juicy shrimp and tender crab in a rich, flavorful base. It's perfect for special moments or when you want restaurant-quality food at home. Anyone who tries it will be amazed.

Stunning Seafood Bisque

Seafood Bisque blends luxury and simplicity beautifully. Its creamy texture highlights the natural sweetness of seafood, while a splash of sherry adds depth. Though it looks fancy, this dish comes together quickly, making it both impressive and handy for any gathering.

Key Ingredients

  • Unsalted butter: 75g, melted for richness.
  • Sweet onion: 1 medium, cut into tiny pieces.
  • Celery stalks: 3, chopped small.
  • Garlic: 4 cloves, sliced thin.
  • Flour: 60g, creates the smooth base.
  • Fish stock: 750ml, boosts flavor.
  • Whole milk: 500ml, warmed up.
  • Heavy cream: 250ml, added near the end.
  • Tomato paste: 30g, adds color and tang.
  • Bay leaves: 2, for extra smell.
  • Large shrimp: 450g, shells removed.
  • Crab meat: 350g, picked through.
  • Dry sherry: 60ml, gives a fancy touch.
  • Old Bay seasoning: 5g, brings out the sea flavor.
  • White pepper: 2g, adds gentle heat.
  • Salt: To your liking.

Cooking Steps

Cook the flavor base
Melt the butter in a big pot over medium heat. Toss in onion and celery, cook for 5 minutes until soft. Add garlic and cook another minute.
Make the base thick
Sprinkle flour over the veggies and stir for 2 minutes. Slowly pour in warm milk and fish stock while stirring to keep it smooth.
Build the soup
Mix in tomato paste, bay leaves and Old Bay seasoning. Let it bubble gently for 5 minutes.
Pour in cream
Add the cream and let it simmer 5 more minutes until it gets slightly thicker.
Add seafood
Drop in the shrimp and cook 3-4 minutes until they turn pink. Gently mix in the crab meat and sherry. Warm for 2 minutes.
Finish up
Take out the bay leaves and taste for salt. Serve hot with fresh herbs on top.

Tips for Amazing Bisque

Go for fresh seafood and warm your milk beforehand to avoid lumps. Keep stirring while making the flour mixture and save the sherry for the end to keep its flavor intact. Don't let it boil hard - just a gentle simmer keeps everything creamy.

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A creamy shrimp soup topped with chives and pepper. | tastyhush.com

Serving Ideas

Pair this bisque with crusty bread for dipping. Add a light salad on the side for balance or enjoy with a glass of cold Chablis to match the seafood flavors. Sprinkle fresh chives or tarragon on top for a fancy touch.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I freeze this bisque?

Sure, but freeze it before adding the cream. When reheating, mix in fresh cream just before serving.

→ What wine pairs well with this?

A dry white like Chablis or Chardonnay works great. Its minerality enhances seafood flavors.

→ What can I swap for sherry?

Dry vermouth or white wine are good options. For a no-alcohol version, try lemon juice.

→ How do I thicken it if too thin?

Mix a tablespoon of flour with melted butter, then stir into the soup. Let it simmer until thickened.

→ Can frozen seafood be used?

Yes, but be sure to thaw and drain it well first. Fresh seafood gives better results, but frozen works too.

Seafood Bisque Bowl

A velvety seafood soup with shrimp, crab, fresh herbs, and a touch of sherry for full flavor.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
25 Minutes
Total Time
45 Minutes
By: Maria

Category: Soups & Stews

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: French

Yield: 6 Servings (6 servings)

Dietary: Low-Carb

Ingredients

01 4 jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined.
02 12 ounces of crab meat.
03 2 tablespoons of tomato paste.
04 1/4 cup of dry sherry.
05 3 celery stalks, diced.
06 A sprinkle of white pepper (1/2 teaspoon).
07 1 sweet onion, chopped.
08 1/4 cup of flour to thicken the mix.
09 3 tablespoons of butter.
10 2 bay leaves for flavor.
11 Fresh tarragon and green onion, finely chopped.
12 A couple of minced garlic cloves (4 should do).
13 Salt as needed.
14 Optional: Crème fraîche for serving.
15 1 teaspoon of Old Bay Seasoning for a kick.
16 1 cup heavy cream.
17 3 cups of seafood stock.
18 2 cups of warmed whole milk.

Instructions

Step 01

Throw in the shrimp, cook for 3-4 minutes. Stir in the crab meat and sherry, and let it heat up for a couple of minutes.

Step 02

Pick out those bay leaves, then season with a bit of salt and pepper. Add garnishes like chopped herbs or dollops of crème fraîche.

Step 03

Pour in the warm milk, stock, tomato paste, seasoning, and bay leaves. Let it simmer for 5 minutes.

Step 04

Get the butter melted in a big pot, then sauté the onion and celery until they soften.

Step 05

Toss in the garlic and cook it for about a minute.

Step 06

Dust the mixture with flour and let it cook for a couple of minutes.

Step 07

Add the cream and simmer for another 5 minutes to bring it together.

Notes

  1. This creamy, rich soup features delicious seafood flavors in every bite.
  2. Old Bay Seasoning adds an authentic flair to this classic dish.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large pot.
  • Cutting board.
  • Chef's knife.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Shellfish (shrimp, crab).
  • Dairy (butter, milk, cream).
  • Gluten (flour).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 385
  • Total Fat: 24 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 15 g
  • Protein: 32 g