If you're craving a luxurious, restaurant-quality seafood bisque, this Creamy Crab and Shrimp Bisque is just what you need! This rich and flavorful soup combines succulent shrimp, sweet crab meat, and a velvety, creamy broth that’s packed with coastal flavors.
Whether you're looking for a cozy comfort dish, an elegant dinner starter, or a seafood lover’s dream meal, this easy homemade bisque is guaranteed to impress. Serve it with a crusty baguette or a side of garlic butter toast, and you’ve got a bowl of pure indulgence!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔️ Rich, Creamy, and Flavorful – Every spoonful is packed with buttery seafood goodness.
✔️ Restaurant-Quality at Home – A bisque that tastes like a fine-dining experience.
✔️ Easy to Make – No complicated techniques, just simple ingredients and big flavors.
✔️ Perfect for Special Occasions – Serve it for date nights, holidays, or cozy dinners.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Bisque Base:
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 stalk celery, finely diced
- 1 small carrot, finely grated
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust for spice preference)
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour (for thickening)
- 4 cups seafood or chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup half-and-half
- ½ cup dry white wine (optional, but enhances flavor)
- 1 bay leaf
For the Seafood:
- ½ lb shrimp, peeled, deveined, and chopped
- ½ lb lump crab meat (fresh or canned)
- ½ tsp Old Bay seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
For Garnishing:
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp chopped green onions
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics
- In a large pot, melt butter and add olive oil over medium heat.
- Sauté onion, celery, and carrot for about 5 minutes until soft.
- Stir in garlic, tomato paste, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Step 2: Create the Bisque Base
- Sprinkle in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Slowly pour in the broth, stirring to prevent lumps.
- Add the white wine (if using) and bay leaf. Bring to a gentle simmer and let cook for 10 minutes.
Step 3: Blend for a Smooth Texture
- Remove the bay leaf and use an immersion blender to blend the bisque until smooth.
- If you don’t have an immersion blender, transfer the soup to a blender in batches, then return it to the pot.
Step 4: Add the Seafood
- Lower the heat and stir in heavy cream, half-and-half, lemon juice, Old Bay seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Gently fold in the shrimp and crab meat. Let simmer for 5 minutes until the shrimp is fully cooked.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
- Ladle the bisque into bowls and sprinkle with chopped parsley, green onions, and Parmesan cheese.
- Serve hot with crusty bread or oyster crackers.
Tips for the Best Seafood Bisque
✔️ Use fresh seafood – It makes a huge difference in taste!
✔️ Don’t skip the blending step – It creates that ultra-creamy texture.
✔️ Adjust the spice – Add more cayenne or Old Bay for extra heat.
✔️ Make it richer – Swap half-and-half for more heavy cream.
What to Serve with Crab and Shrimp Bisque
- French Baguette – Perfect for dipping.
- Garlic Butter Shrimp – Extra seafood never hurts!
- Roasted Asparagus – A light, flavorful side.
- Caesar Salad – Adds a fresh contrast to the creamy bisque.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Protein: 18g
- Carbs: 15g
- Fat: 28g
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Crab and Shrimp Bisque is an absolute showstopper, combining the sweetness of crab, the richness of shrimp, and the depth of a velvety broth. Whether you’re making it for a cozy dinner or a special occasion, this dish is bound to impress.
Try it out and let us know what you think! 🦀🍤✨
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