Creamy Crab and Shrimp Seafood Bisque

This Creamy Crab and Shrimp Seafood Bisque is a rich, comforting soup made with tender shrimp, sweet crab meat, and a silky smooth cream base. Perfect for cozy dinners or special occasions, this seafood bisque delivers restaurant-quality flavor right at home.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Luxuriously creamy with deep seafood flavor
• Simple ingredients and easy steps
• Perfect for family meals or elegant gatherings
• Naturally comforting and filling
• Halal-friendly with simple substitutions

Ingredients

• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 lb crab meat
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
• 1 carrot, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 cups seafood or chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tbsp lemon juice or apple cider vinegar (halal wine substitute)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, celery, and carrot. Cook for 5–7 minutes until softened.
2. Stir in the flour and cook for 2 minutes until lightly golden.
3. Gradually whisk in the broth, then add cream, milk, tomato paste, bay leaf, paprika, cayenne, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle boil.
4. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Add shrimp and crab meat. Cook for 5–7 minutes until shrimp are pink and fully cooked.
6. Remove bay leaf. Blend the bisque using an immersion blender until smooth, or partially blend for a chunkier texture.
7. Adjust seasoning and serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

Tips & Tricks

• Use fresh seafood for the best flavor
• Blend only half for a more rustic texture
• Add extra broth if the bisque becomes too thick
• Mild paprika can replace cayenne for less heat

Details

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4–6 servings
• Category: Soup
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American Seafood
• Difficulty: Easy
• Dietary Notes: Halal-friendly, gluten-optional with substitutes

Notes

Serve with crusty bread or garlic toast. You can substitute half-and-half for a lighter version or add a splash of extra cream for more richness.

Nutrition (Approximate per serving)

• Calories: 420
• Protein: 28g
• Carbohydrates: 18g
• Fat: 26g

FAQ

Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes, thaw completely and pat dry before cooking.

Is this bisque spicy?
It has mild heat. Reduce or omit cayenne if preferred.

Can I make it ahead?
Yes, flavors deepen after resting overnight.

What can I use instead of heavy cream?
Half-and-half or coconut cream works well.

Can I skip blending?
Yes, for a chunky seafood soup texture.

Storage

• Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days
• Freezer: Freeze up to 2 months (avoid overcooking when reheating)
• Reheat: Gently on stovetop over low heat, stirring often

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• Buffalo Chicken Bombs Recipe
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Creamy Crab and Shrimp Seafood Bisque You’ll Want to Make Again

Rich and creamy seafood bisque

Made with shrimp and crab meat

Ready in under 45 minutes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Course Dinner / Soup

Cuisine American Seafood

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb shrimp peeled and deveined
• 1 lb crab meat
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 small onion finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 2 celery stalks finely chopped
• 1 carrot finely chopped
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 cups seafood or chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tbsp lemon juice or apple cider vinegar halal wine substitute
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

 

• Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, celery, and carrot. Cook for 5–7 minutes until softened.
• Stir in the flour and cook for 2 minutes until lightly golden.
• Gradually whisk in the broth, then add cream, milk, tomato paste, bay leaf, paprika, cayenne, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle boil.
• Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add shrimp and crab meat. Cook for 5–7 minutes until shrimp are pink and fully cooked.
• Remove bay leaf. Blend the bisque using an immersion blender until smooth, or partially blend for a chunkier texture.
• Adjust seasoning and serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

Notes

Serve with crusty bread or garlic toast. You can substitute half-and-half for a lighter version or add a splash of extra cream for more richness.

 

Conclusion

This Creamy Crab and Shrimp Seafood Bisque is a comforting, elegant dish that’s surprisingly easy to make. Rich, smooth, and deeply flavorful, it’s guaranteed to impress while remaining simple enough for weeknight cooking.