Description
Crab and Shrimp Bisque delivers restaurant-quality luxury in a warm, silky bowl. This creamy seafood bisque features sweet crab meat and tender shrimp simmered with a light roux, aromatics, paprika, and Old Bay for a coastal kiss. Easy to make at home, it feels indulgent yet comforting, perfect for cozy weeknights or special occasions. Made in one pot, the velvety soup comes together quickly and pairs beautifully with crusty bread or a bright herb garnish. Make-ahead: refrigerates up to 3 days and freezes well.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 3 cups seafood stock (or chicken broth)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup milk
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp Old Bay seasoning
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 8 oz shrimp, peeled, deveined, and chopped
- 8 oz lump crab meat, picked over
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and sauté for 4–5 minutes until soft and translucent.
- Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute to form a light roux.
- Slowly whisk in seafood stock, stirring constantly until smooth.
- Add tomato paste, paprika, Old Bay, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Stir in heavy cream and milk, then simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add shrimp and cook for 3–4 minutes until pink and opaque.
- Gently fold in crab meat and simmer for 2–3 minutes to heat through.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.
Notes
- For best flavor, use homemade seafood stock or high-quality store-bought.
- Do not boil after adding cream to prevent curdling; keep at a gentle simmer.
- If you like more heat, keep cayenne or add hot sauce to taste.
- Gluten-free option: replace flour with gluten-free flour or a cornstarch slurry.
- Substitute crab or shrimp with other seafood to taste, if desired.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with crusty bread or garlic butter croutons.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Seafood
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (about)
- Calories: 274
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
Keywords: Crab and Shrimp Bisque, seafood bisque, creamy bisque, restaurant-quality soup, easy crab shrimp soup, shellfish soup, lobster-free bisque, homemade bisque