If you’re craving a luxurious, velvety soup that bursts with rich seafood flavor, you’ve just found your new favorite: the Crab and Shrimp Seafood Bisque Recipe. This comforting dish combines sweet crab meat and tender shrimp in a creamy, tomato-kissed broth that warms both heart and soul. It’s a bowl of pure indulgence, perfect for cozy nights or impressing guests with a taste of coastal elegance.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Rich, Creamy Texture: A silky smooth bisque that’s comforting and luxurious in every spoonful.
- Fresh Seafood Flavor: The delicate sweetness of crab and shrimp shines through beautifully without being overpowering.
- Simple Ingredients: Made with pantry staples and fresh seafood that come together effortlessly.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Impress friends and family with a restaurant-quality bisque right in your home kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This bisque relies on a handful of fresh and pantry ingredients that each bring something special to the bowl — from the richness of butter and cream to the aromatic punch of Old Bay seasoning, every component plays a delicious part in crafting that perfect bisque magic.
- 8 ounces crab meat: Tender and sweet, this is the star ingredient that adds luxury to the dish.
- 8 ounces cooked shrimp, cut in pieces: Provides texture and a mild seafood bite that pairs impeccably with crab.
- 4 tbsp butter: Gives richness and helps soften the veggies for that wonderful base flavor.
- ⅓ cup green onions, chopped: Adds freshness and a subtle sharpness to balance the cream.
- ⅓ cup celery, chopped: Brings a light crispness and slight earthiness to the bisque.
- 2 cups milk: Keeps the soup lighter before the heavy cream joins in for full comfort.
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream: The luxurious, creamy component that makes every spoonful dreamy.
- 1 tbsp tomato paste: Deepens the flavor and adds a gentle hint of color.
- 3 tbsp flour: Used to thicken the bisque to that perfect luscious consistency.
- Salt and pepper to taste: Essential seasonings to enhance all the flavors.
- 1 tsp Old Bay Seasoning: That classic seafood spice blend that gives the bisque its signature savory warmth.
Variations
One of the joys of the Crab and Shrimp Seafood Bisque Recipe is how easy it is to adapt! Whether you want to add your own twist or accommodate dietary preferences, small swaps or additions can customize this bisque exactly to your liking.
- Add a Kick: Stir in a pinch of cayenne or a dash of hot sauce for a spicy seafood bisque with a little heat.
- Use Different Shellfish: Swap out shrimp for scallops or lobster chunks for a different seafood profile.
- Dairy-Free Version: Substitute coconut milk or cashew cream for heavy cream and milk for a rich, dairy-free bisque.
- Boost the Veggies: Include diced bell peppers or fennel for extra layers of flavor and texture.
How to Make Crab and Shrimp Seafood Bisque Recipe
Step 1: Sauté Aromatics in Butter
Start by melting the butter over medium-high heat in a saucepan. Once melted, add the chopped celery and green onions. This combo softens and releases its flavor in the buttery base — setting up a comforting flavor foundation for your bisque.
Step 2: Create a Roux with Flour
Sprinkle in the flour and stir it well with the veggies, cooking it for about a minute. This step cooks off the raw flour taste and helps thicken the bisque later, giving it that luscious, velvety texture we all love.
Step 3: Whisk in Warm Milk and Cream
Warm your milk separately to gently incorporate it without lumps, then slowly whisk it into your roux mixture. Next, add the Old Bay seasoning, salt and pepper, heavy cream, and tomato paste. Whisk everything until smooth and shimmering — this is when the bisque starts turning into a rich, creamy masterpiece.
Step 4: Simmer and Thicken the Bisque
Lower the heat and let the bisque come to a gentle simmer. Stir frequently as it thickens, allowing all those flavors to meld and concentrate into that classic creamy bisque consistency.
Step 5: Add Crab and Shrimp, Then Serve
Stir in your crab meat and cooked shrimp last, cooking just until they’re heated through. This keeps their delicate texture intact. Finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a bright, herbaceous touch and serve warm with a big smile!
Pro Tips for Making Crab and Shrimp Seafood Bisque Recipe
- Warm the Milk First: This really helps prevent lumps and keeps the bisque silky smooth when you add it to the roux.
- Don’t Overcook the Seafood: Add the crab and shrimp at the very end to keep their texture tender and fresh.
- Use Quality Old Bay: A good Old Bay seasoning elevates the bisque with authentic seafood spice notes.
- Keep Stirring While Simmering: Prevents sticking on the bottom and helps the bisque thicken evenly without burning.
How to Serve Crab and Shrimp Seafood Bisque Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh parsley or chives adds a pop of color and freshness that beautifully contrasts the creamy bisque. For an elegant touch, add a drizzle of good quality olive oil or a dollop of crème fraîche for extra richness.
Side Dishes
Serve your bisque alongside crusty French bread, garlic toast, or buttery crostini to soak up every last luscious drop. A light green salad with citrus vinaigrette pairs wonderfully to balance the richness of the bisque.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, serve the bisque in mini cups or appetizer-sized bowls garnished with a shrimp skewer or a small crab claw on top. Or, ladle into bread bowls for a fun, rustic presentation that’s sure to wow your guests!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover bisque in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors will deepen overnight, making leftovers surprisingly delicious the next day.
Freezing
You can freeze the bisque, but it’s best to freeze it before adding the crab and shrimp, as seafood textures can change when frozen. Freeze the base in a sealed container for up to 2 months, then add fresh seafood when reheating.
Reheating
Gently reheat the bisque over low heat on the stove, stirring frequently to prevent scorching. If frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating, and add cooked seafood last to keep it tender.
FAQs
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Can I use fresh seafood instead of cooked?
Yes! If using raw crab meat or shrimp, cook them separately until just done before adding to the bisque at the end to avoid overcooking and losing that nice texture.
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Is the Crab and Shrimp Seafood Bisque Recipe gluten-free?
The recipe as written includes flour which contains gluten. To make it gluten-free, try substituting a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch as your thickening agent.
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Can I make this bisque vegan or vegetarian?
This bisque relies on seafood and dairy for its signature flavor and texture, so a vegan version would require a complete rework of ingredients, like using vegetable broth, plant-based cream, and seafood alternatives.
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How can I thicken the bisque if it’s too thin?
If your bisque is thinner than you like, mix a small amount of flour or cornstarch with cold water to create a slurry and whisk it in over gentle heat until thickened to your liking.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about a homemade bisque, and the Crab and Shrimp Seafood Bisque Recipe delivers on flavor, comfort, and elegance. Give it a try—you’ll be amazed how simple ingredients come together to create a rich culinary hug in a bowl. Trust me, once you taste it, this bisque will be a regular star in your kitchen too!
PrintCrab and Shrimp Seafood Bisque Recipe
This creamy Crab and Shrimp Seafood Bisque is a rich and comforting classic that combines tender crab meat and succulent shrimp in a velvety blend of butter, celery, green onions, tomato paste, and a hint of Old Bay seasoning. Perfect as a luxurious starter or a satisfying main, this bisque is full of layered flavors and smooth textures that warm the soul.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Seafood
- 8 ounces crab meat
- 8 ounces cooked shrimp, cut in pieces
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1/3 cup green onions, chopped
- 1/3 cup celery, chopped
Dairy and Fats
- 4 tbsp butter
- 2 cups milk
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
Seasonings and Other
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 3 tbsp flour
- 1 tsp Old Bay Seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Melt Butter and Sauté Aromatics: Over medium-high heat, melt the butter in a saucepan. Add the chopped celery and green onions and cook until they soften and become fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add Flour to Thicken: Stir in the flour and cook for another minute, allowing the flour to absorb the butter and develop a light roux.
- Incorporate Milk and Seasonings: Heat the milk until warm, then gradually add it to the saucepan, whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Next, whisk in the Old Bay seasoning, salt, pepper, heavy cream, and tomato paste, blending everything into a smooth mixture.
- Simmer to Thicken: Lower the heat and cook the bisque until it gently simmers. Continue cooking until the soup begins to thicken, stirring frequently to avoid scorching on the bottom.
- Add Seafood and Finish Cooking: Stir in the shrimp and crab meat, cooking just until the seafood is heated through, about 3-5 minutes. Do not overcook to maintain tenderness. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve warm.
Notes
- Use fresh or high-quality canned crab meat for the best flavor.
- Adjust thickness by adding more milk or cream as needed.
- Old Bay Seasoning adds a classic seafood spice; adjust to taste if sensitive to spices.
- This bisque is best served immediately but can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.
- Reheat gently on low heat to prevent curdling or burning.
