Simple Shrimp Bisque Recipe (2024)

I don’t go out to eat all the time, but with more and more restaurants offering healthy menus, it’s more of an option. Years ago there was only one restaurant in my little town that I really enjoyed. I ordered their shrimp bisque almost every time!

Eventually, it came under new management and opened with a new menu. This wouldn’t be a problem if it weren’t for one thing: Their delicious seafood bisque. I knew I needed to take matters into my own hands. Before I forgot the taste of that delicious soup, I decided to try to recreate it.

Creating Shrimp Bisque

At the time the town where I lived had limited access to quality seafood. I decided to use shrimp as the base in place of pricier and harder to find seafood like crab or lobster. Now that I live along the coast I can take my pick, but I’m still partial to this shrimp bisque version. And if your area doesn’t have great seafood options, there are now places like this one that will ship wild caught seafood to you.

I can’t believe I didn’t try to recreate this recipe sooner, since it’s relatively expensive at restaurants and probably has some questionable ingredients anyway. Now, we can enjoy this favorite soup at home whenever we want!

What’s the Difference Between Bisque and Soup?

Bisque is defined as a little slice of heaven.

Ok, so technically it’s a creamy, broth-based, flavored French soup. It’s often made with seafood stock as a base and sauteed and pureed veggies for thickness and flavor. Though the term “bisque” can refer to any type of creamy soup, the original and authentic bisque has broth and pureed shellfish. Chowder on the other hand (like clam chowder) is thick and chunky.

This is the most budget-friendly authentic bisque I’ve been able to make. I’ve found that shrimp is often easy to find and inexpensive (even wild caught). Feel free to use lobster, crab, or shellfish instead if you prefer though.

I love this creamy shrimp bisque so much that I can eat it as a meal by itself. Traditionally it’s served more as an appetizer though.

Dairy-Free Shrimp Bisque

This recipe has dairy, so as written it wouldn’t be good for those with a dairy allergy or sensitivity. You can substitute thick coconut milk for the cream in this recipe though. It will change the taste and texture slightly but will still create a good finished product.

It’s naturally gluten-free so no worries there. Some recipes use all-purpose flour to thicken, but the carrots and celery add thickness here.

Garnish Ideas

Since the soup has a nice creamy base, garnishes add some visual and textural contrast. You could add a few sprigs of parsley to the top or a sprinkle of kosher salt. Chopped chives also make a nice touch. And if you have some healthy croutons, those are good too. If you like your soup spicy you can always add a little sprinkle of cayenne pepper to the top.

Chicken Stock vs. Seafood Stock

I originally wrote this recipe with chicken stock since it’s what I had access to. Traditionally it’s made with seafood or shrimp stock though. Either option tastes good, it just depends on your preference.

If you can’t find healthy shrimp stock, it’s really easy to make your own. Save the shrimp shells from your shrimp and saute them in a little oil. You’ll then add a few cups water and salt and simmer before straining. Some people add seasonings like rosemary or bay leaf to the cooking water. Here’s an easy shrimp stock recipe if you need one.

Simple Shrimp Bisque Recipe (1)

Simple Shrimp Bisque Recipe

A delicious creamy bisque with shrimp and subtle flavors of shallots, carrots, and celery in a broth base. Nourishing and delicious!

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Servings

4 servings

Ingredients

  • 4 TBSP butter (or olive oil)
  • 2 TBSP carrots (grated)
  • 1 stalk celery (finely chopped)
  • 1 shallot (finely chopped)
  • 4 cloves garlic (minced)
  • ¼ cup dry white wine (optional)
  • 2 cups chicken broth (or seafood stock or shrimp stock)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp white pepper (or black pepper)
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp thyme
  • 1 dash hot sauce (optional)
  • 1 lb large shrimp (wild caught)
  • 2 cups heavy cream

Instructions

  • Mix the salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme in a small bowl and set aside.

  • Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat.

  • Add the carrots and celery and saute 5 minutes.

  • Add theshallot and garlic and saute for an additional 3 minutes over low heat, taking care not to burn the garlic.

  • Add the dry white wine to deglaze the pan and cook for 30 seconds to evaporate some of the alcohol.

  • Add the broth, hot sauce if using, and half of the spice mixture.

  • Use a hand-held immersion blender to puree bisque until completely smooth. If you don’t have an immersion blender, then use a regular blender, working in batches if necessary. You don’t want to fill the blender more than halfway with hot liquid.

  • Bring contents of pot to a boil and then reduce heat to low and simmer.

  • Roughly chop the shrimp and add them to the pan along with the rest of the spices. If the shrimp are precooked, just heat until warm. If shrimp are raw, simmer for 3-4 minutes or until cooked and pink.

  • Stir in the heavy cream and simmer for 4 minutes until just thickened. Do not allow to boil.

  • Serve immediately, or for better flavor, refrigerate overnight and reheat slowly before serving.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Simple Shrimp Bisque Recipe

Amount Per Serving (1 serving)

Calories 552Calories from Fat 495

% Daily Value*

Fat 55g85%

Saturated Fat 35g219%

Trans Fat 0.5g

Polyunsaturated Fat 3g

Monounsaturated Fat 14g

Cholesterol 165mg55%

Sodium 755mg33%

Potassium 324mg9%

Carbohydrates 9g3%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 5g6%

Protein 6g12%

Vitamin A 3649IU73%

Vitamin C 3mg4%

Calcium 107mg11%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Notes

  • You can also use crab, lobster, or any combination of your favorite seafood. Lobster bisque also makes a delicious meal!
  • If you like your bisque thicker, then reduce the broth and cream to 1 and 1/2 cups each.

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Have a favorite soup recipe? Care to share? Leave a comment and let us know!

Simple Shrimp Bisque Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are the main ingredients of bisque soup? ›

A bisque is a smooth, creamy French style of soup, traditionally made from crustaceans like lobster, crab or crayfish. It should include a stock made from the shells, a large amount of cream, and a thickening agent made from either finely-ground shells or rice. The meat is typically cooked and used as a topping.

Which is usually a main ingredient in bisque? ›

Seafood or vegetables are the main ingredients that give bisque its distinct taste. Lobster bisque, crab bisque and shrimp bisque form the decadent trinity of popular seafood bisques. The seafood is cooked until tender, then finely chopped or pureed to create a fine paste; adding a smooth and creamy soup to the stock.

What is the main liquid ingredient of a bisque? ›

French Mussel Bisque

A copious amount of wine, a whole bottle, is used for making the soup, while large amounts of half-and-half and cream thicken the soup at the end.

What is the classic thickening for bisque? ›

Most modern bisques are thickened using rice. Some cook the rice in the broth and strain it out later, using only the left-behind rice starch to thicken the soup. Others puree the rice into the soup to thicken it. Almost all bisques are finished with hot cream for a velvety texture.

What is shrimp bisque made of? ›

Sautéed shrimp shells impart a sweet complexity to the foundation of this deeply flavorful bisque. White rice is slowly simmered in the aromatic broth and then pureed to give the soup body and a velvety consistency, without masking the flavor of succulent shrimp.

What is seafood bisque made of? ›

The recipe for seafood bisque evolved. Today it is typically made with a combination of shellfish, such as shrimp, lobster, or crab, as well as cream, butter, and aromatics like onions and garlic.

What is a traditional bisque? ›

A bisque is a French style of soup that is made from crustaceans, such as lobster, crab, shrimp, and crayfish; their shells are used to make a stock and the meat is incorporated into the finished dish.

Does bisque contain flour? ›

A bisque is a rich, creamy soup made with one or more types of seafood, cream or milk, and the bisque is often thickened with flour. Our version of easy, gluten-free lobster bisque is thickened with sweet rice flour, which gives this lovely, savory soup a silky, rich body.

What are the finishing ingredients for most bisques? ›

Cream and sherry are the finishing ingredients for most bisque's.

How is bisque made? ›

BISQUE
  1. Heat butter and oil in a large, heavy-based pot over medium heat, Sweat the onions, carrots, celery and fresh herbs. ...
  2. Mix in tomato paste, cook for a further minute to coat vegetables. ...
  3. Pour in wine, simmer and let reduce to half. ...
  4. Take off the heat, transfer mixture to a blender and blend until smooth.

What goes with seafood bisque? ›

Serve the seafood bisque with freshly baked biscuits or crusty bread. If it's a lunch or main course soup, add your favorite salad.

How long can you keep shrimp bisque in the fridge? ›

Just make sure to defrost the shrimp in the refrigerator overnight. How long can store shrimp bisque soup in the refrigerator? Fresh shrimp bisque will last for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. It's a perfect dish for making ahead for a party.

How can you add richness to bisque soup? ›

Tomato – A fresh tomato will help add color and flavor to this soup. Tomato Paste – You will need tomato paste to add flavor, color, richness, and body to the bisque. Garlic – A few cloves go a long way to enhancing this flavor.

Is it better to thicken soup with flour or cornstarch? ›

It's important to note that cornstarch has twice the thickening power of flour. If you need to substitute cornstarch to thicken liquid in a recipe that calls for ¼ cup (four tablespoons) flour, you only need two tablespoons cornstarch.

How long does it take to bisque? ›

The Bisque Firing

Program the kiln to run a Cone 04, Slow Speed, ConeFire Program. if you have the option of “Preheat” on your controller, a 2 hour preheat is good insurance to prevent exploding pieces. This will take about 12 Hours to fire to temperature and another 12 hours to cool (depends on size of kiln).

What's the difference between bisque and regular tomato soup? ›

While both are delicious, they are quite different, especially when it comes to the texture. Tomato bisque is thicker and creamier in texture, and calls for the use of milk and/or cream.

What's the difference between bisque and regular soup? ›

Key Differences

Ingredients: Bisque is often made with seafood and enriched with heavy cream, whereas soup can be made with a wide range of ingredients, offering more versatility. Consistency: Bisque is consistently smooth and velvety, while soup can have a diverse range of consistencies, depending on the recipe.

What are the two ingredients that make a bisque different from a puree soup? ›

Bisque, on the other hand, is characterized by its creamy and luxurious texture. While it will also incorporate a seafood broth or stock for depth of flavor, bisque is defined by the addition of heavy cream and, sometimes, a thickening agent, which imparts a rich, velvety consistency.

What's the difference between tomato soup and tomato bisque? ›

What is the difference between tomato soup and Tomato Bisque? Tomato soup is usually made with either vegetable or chicken stock. Tomato bisque is made by adding cream or whole milk. The dairy is what makes it thicker and creamier, which gives it the defining traits of a bisque.

References

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