The Ultimate Crab And Shrimp Seafood Bisque Recipe for Cozy Nights

Seafood bisque whispers tales of oceanic elegance, bringing maritime magic right to your dining table.

Silky smooth textures dance with delicate marine proteins in this luxurious culinary creation.

Coastal cooking traditions merge seamlessly with contemporary comfort food sensibilities, reinventing simple ingredients into extraordinary experiences.

Robust flavors bloom within each carefully crafted spoonful, promising intense gustatory pleasure.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this bisque represents a refined approach to seafood preparation that honors natural ingredient qualities.

Maritime ingredients collaborate harmoniously, creating symphonic taste profiles that tantalize sophisticated palates.

Prepare to elevate your meal with an extraordinary recipe that celebrates oceanic bounty.

Game-Changing Tips for Gooey Garlic Bread Perfection

• Elevate Seafood Flavor Fusion: Pair this rich, creamy bisque with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc that cuts through the richness and complements the delicate seafood with its bright, citrusy notes.
• Bread Companion Crunch: Serve alongside toasted sourdough or garlic crostini to add a satisfying textural contrast and help soak up the luxurious bisque base.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Side Salad: Complement the bisque with a light arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette, featuring cherry tomatoes and shaved parmesan to balance the soup's creamy intensity.
• Coastal Wine Match: Select an unoaked Chardonnay with subtle buttery undertones that will harmonize beautifully with the seafood's sweetness and the bisque's velvety texture.

Leftover Garlic Breadsticks? Here’s the Right Way to Reheat

• Spicy Seafood Kick: Boost cayenne pepper and add diced jalapeños for an extra heat-packed version that brings bold flavors to the classic bisque.
• Mediterranean Style: Replace sherry with white wine, incorporate saffron threads, and garnish with fresh basil leaves to give the bisque a Mediterranean coastal feel.
• Coconut Fusion: Swap heavy cream with coconut milk and add a touch of ginger for an Asian-inspired seafood bisque that offers creamy tropical undertones.
• Light Protein Swap: Substitute crab and shrimp with flaky white fish like cod or halibut for a lighter protein alternative that maintains the bisque's rich essence.

Why Crab & Shrimp Bisque Feels Like a Fancy Night In

• Luxurious Seafood Indulgence: Dive into a creamy, rich bisque that combines succulent crab and shrimp in a velvety texture that feels like a gourmet restaurant experience right at home.
• Quick and Effortless Cooking: Craft this impressive dish in just 30 minutes with simple ingredients and straightforward techniques, perfect for busy home cooks wanting restaurant-quality flavor without complex preparation.
• Flavor-Packed Comfort Food: Experience a symphony of spices like paprika and cayenne that elevate the seafood's natural sweetness, creating a warming dish that comforts and excites the taste buds in every spoonful.
• Nutritious Protein Powerhouse: Enjoy a balanced meal packed with 20 grams of protein, delivering essential nutrients from seafood while satisfying hunger with a decadent, creamy base that feels both indulgent and nourishing.

What You’ll Need for a Seafood Bisque That Wows

Main Ingredients:

• Shrimp: Sweet, tender seafood that adds delicate ocean flavor and protein to the bisque.
• Crab Meat: Rich, delicate seafood that provides a luxurious texture and maritime taste.

• Onion, Carrot, Celery: Classic aromatic vegetables that create a flavor foundation for the bisque.
• Garlic: Intense, aromatic ingredient that deepens the overall taste profile.

• Seafood or Chicken Broth: Rich liquid that forms the primary soup structure with deep flavor.
• Heavy Cream: Smooth, luxurious dairy that creates a velvety and rich texture.

• Tomato Paste: Concentrated tomato product that provides depth and slight tanginess.
• Sherry: Optional wine that adds sophisticated complexity and richness.
• Paprika: Warm, slightly sweet spice that contributes color and mild pepper notes.
• Cayenne Pepper: Spicy ingredient that provides subtle heat and warmth.

• All-Purpose Flour: Standard ingredient used to create smooth, thick consistency.

• Olive Oil: Healthy fat used for initial vegetable sautéing.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Essential seasonings for balancing and enhancing overall flavor.

• Fresh Herbs (Parsley, Chives, Dill): Bright, fresh herbs that add color and light flavor contrast.

Why Homemade Cheesy Garlic Breadsticks Are Pure Gold

Step 1: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Add chopped celery, carrot, and onion, and cook for 5 minutes until soft and fragrant.

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for one more minute.

Step 2: Build Flavor Foundation

Mix in the tomato paste and sprinkle in paprika and cayenne pepper.

Let it simmer for 1 to 2 minutes so the tomato paste caramelizes and the spices release their aroma.

Step 3: Create Roux Base

Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir continuously for 2 minutes.

Slowly pour in seafood or chicken broth while whisking to avoid lumps, then bring to a gentle simmer.

Step 4: Develop Rich Broth

Let the soup simmer for 10 to 12 minutes so it thickens naturally.

For extra depth, you can add a splash of sherry at this stage.

Step 5: Incorporate Seafood and Cream

Turn the heat down slightly and pour in the heavy cream.

Stir gently, then add chopped shrimp and crab meat.

Let the seafood warm through for about 5 minutes.

Step 6: Final Touches

Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Serve the bisque hot and garnish with freshly chopped parsley, chives, or dill.

All the Good Stuff Inside These Cheesy Garlic Breadsticks

• Choose Fresh Seafood: Select high-quality, fresh crab and shrimp for the most vibrant, rich flavor in your bisque.
• Control Roux Consistency: Whisk flour carefully to create a smooth base, preventing lumps and ensuring a silky texture.
• Balance Spice Carefully: Start with small amounts of cayenne and paprika, tasting as you go to avoid overwhelming the delicate seafood flavors.
• Prevent Cream Curdling: Add heavy cream slowly and keep heat low to maintain a smooth, creamy consistency without separating.
• Elevate Presentation: Garnish with finely chopped fresh herbs just before serving to add color, freshness, and an elegant touch to your bisque.

How to Bake Cheesy Garlic Breadsticks That Wow

• Refrigeration
• Seal leftover bisque in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Quickly cool the soup to room temperature before covering to prevent bacterial growth and maintain freshness.
• Freezing Method
• Carefully transfer cooled bisque to freezer-safe containers, leaving some space at the top for expansion. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Pro tip: Avoid freezing dishes with cream-based sauces, as they might separate when thawed.
• Reheating Technique
• Gently warm the bisque in a saucepan over low-medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add a splash of broth or cream to restore the original creamy consistency if the soup seems too thick. Microwave works in a pinch: heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming.

Crab And Shrimp Seafood Bisque Recipe

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4.7 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy crab and shrimp bisque delivers oceanic elegance with French coastal charm. Rich seafood flavors blend seamlessly, inviting diners to savor Louisiana’s luxurious maritime culinary traditions.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Seafood:

• 0.25 pound (113 grams) cooked shrimp (peeled, deveined, chopped)
• 0.25 pound (113 grams) cooked crab meat (shells removed)

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 0.25 cup onion (finely chopped)
• 0.25 cup celery (finely chopped)
• 0.25 cup carrot (finely chopped)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Base and Seasonings:

• 0.25 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• 4 cups seafood or chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons sherry (optional)
• Salt (to taste)
• Black pepper (to taste)
• Fresh herbs (parsley, chives, or dill) for garnish

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Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium temperature, sautéing diced celery, carrots, and onions until they become translucent and tender, approximately 4-5 minutes. Introduce minced garlic and cook for an additional 45-60 seconds.
2. Stir in tomato paste, incorporating paprika and cayenne pepper, allowing the mixture to caramelize and release aromatic spice notes for 1-2 minutes.
3. Sprinkle all-purpose flour over the vegetable mixture, stirring continuously to create a smooth roux base for 2 minutes. Slowly whisk in seafood or chicken broth, ensuring no lumps develop while maintaining a consistent stirring motion.
4. Simmer the liquid for 10-12 minutes, watching the consistency thicken naturally. Optional: add sherry wine to enhance the flavor profile during this stage.
5. Reduce heat and gradually pour heavy cream into the pot, blending thoroughly. Gently fold in chopped shrimp and crab meat, allowing them to warm through for 4-5 minutes without overcooking.
6. Season the bisque with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Ladle into serving bowls and garnish with finely chopped fresh herbs like parsley, chives, or dill for a vibrant finishing touch.

Notes

• Customize your bisque’s heat level by adjusting cayenne pepper for a personalized spicy kick.
• Ensure seafood remains tender by adding shrimp and crab meat at the last cooking stage to prevent overcooking.
• Create a silky texture through careful roux preparation and gradual broth incorporation for a lump-free base.
• Select fresh, high-quality seafood like wild-caught shrimp and lump crab meat to elevate the bisque’s overall flavor profile.
• Reserve some whole crab or shrimp pieces for garnishing to enhance visual appeal and provide delightful textural contrast.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450 kcal
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 900mg
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 15g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 28g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 20g
• Cholesterol: 150mg