Description
This Crab and Shrimp Seafood Bisque is a luxurious, creamy soup loaded with tender shrimp, sweet crab meat, and a flavorful blend of aromatics. Perfect for a cozy dinner or an elegant appetizer, this dish is surprisingly easy to make at home!
Ingredients
Units
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For the Bisque:
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for spice)
- 2 cups seafood or chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional, but adds depth)
- 1/2 lb shrimp, peeled, deveined, and chopped
- 1/2 lb lump crab meat
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
For Garnish:
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp butter (melted, for drizzling)
- Croutons or crusty bread (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté the Aromatics:
- In a large pot, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat.
- Add onion, celery, and garlic and sauté until softened (3-4 minutes).
- Build the Base:
- Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Add tomato paste, Old Bay seasoning, paprika, and cayenne pepper, mixing well.
- Add Liquids:
- Slowly pour in white wine (if using) and broth, stirring continuously.
- Simmer for 5-7 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Blend for a Smooth Texture (Optional):
- If you prefer a smooth bisque, use an immersion blender to blend until silky. (Skip this step if you like a chunkier soup.)
- Add Dairy & Seafood:
- Reduce heat to low and stir in heavy cream and milk.
- Gently fold in the shrimp and crab meat, cooking for 4-5 minutes until the shrimp turns pink and opaque.
- Season & Serve:
- Taste and adjust with salt and pepper as needed.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and a drizzle of melted butter. Serve with crusty bread or croutons.
Notes
- For a richer bisque, use half-and-half instead of whole milk.
- Add a splash of sherry for an extra layer of depth.
- Swap crab and shrimp for lobster or scallops for a different twist.
- If you prefer a thicker soup, mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp water and stir it in before adding seafood.
Nutrition
- Calories: ~420
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 180mg