This luxurious Crab and Shrimp Seafood Bisque is velvety, flavorful, and loaded with tender seafood. Made with cream, butter, aromatics, and a splash of wine (optional), it’s a comforting soup that feels gourmet but is easy to make at home.
⏱️ Prep & Cook Time
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Servings: 4
🍤 Ingredients
Seafood
- ½ lb (225g) shrimp, peeled & deveined, chopped
- ½ lb (225g) lump crab meat
- 1 tbsp butter (for sautéing seafood)
Bisque Base
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp flour
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
- ¼ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 3 cups seafood stock (or chicken broth)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup half & half or milk
- ¼ cup white wine (optional, but adds depth)
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
🥘 Instructions
1. Sauté the Seafood
Heat 1 tbsp butter in a pan.
Add chopped shrimp and cook until pink (2–3 minutes).
Stir in crab meat gently. Remove from heat and set aside.
2. Build the Bisque Base
In a large pot, melt 3 tbsp butter.
Add onion and cook until soft (3–4 minutes).
Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
3. Add Tomato & Flour
Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
Sprinkle in flour, whisking until smooth — this thickens the soup.
4. Add Liquids
Pour in seafood stock slowly while whisking.
Add white wine (optional).
Stir in Old Bay, paprika, cayenne, salt & pepper.
Simmer 10 minutes until slightly thickened.
5. Blend for Creaminess (Optional)
For an extra-smooth bisque:
Use an immersion blender (or blend half the soup) and return to the pot.
6. Add Cream
Reduce heat to low.
Stir in heavy cream and half & half.
Simmer gently — do NOT boil.
7. Add Seafood
Fold the shrimp and crab into the pot.
Simmer for 3–4 more minutes until heated through.
8. Serve
Garnish with fresh parsley or extra crab on top.
Serve warm with crusty bread, crostini, or garlic toast.
💡 Tips & Variations
- Spicy Cajun Version: Add 1 tsp Cajun seasoning + extra paprika.
- Extra Rich: Add 1 tbsp cream cheese while simmering.
- Thicker Bisque: Add 1 extra tbsp flour.
- Budget-Friendly: Replace crab with imitation crab — still delicious!
- Lobster Option: Swap shrimp for lobster meat for a lobster bisque version.
🍽️ What to Serve With It
- Garlic bread
- Buttery rolls
- Caesar salad
- Grilled asparagus