This shrimp bisque is a creamy and flavorful soup that warms your belly. With fresh shrimp and a hint of spice, it’s perfect for any seafood lover!
I love serving it with a crispy piece of bread on the side. It’s like a hug in a bowl, and trust me, you’ll want to sip every last drop! 🦐❤️
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Shrimp: Fresh shrimp is ideal, but you can use frozen shrimp if that’s what you have. Just ensure they are thawed properly. If you need a substitute, try using crab meat or lobster for a unique twist.
Seafood Stock: Homemade stock adds depth, but store-bought works too! If you’re looking for a substitute, use vegetable stock for a lighter taste, but it will change the flavor slightly.
White Wine: The wine enhances the flavor, but if you prefer not to use it, replace it with more seafood stock or a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness.
Cream: Heavy cream gives the bisque its richness. You can use coconut milk for a dairy-free option or half-and-half for a lighter version, but it may not be as creamy.
What’s the Best Way to Make a Flavorful Shrimp Stock?
Making your own shrimp stock is easy and really boosts the soup’s flavor! Start with the shrimp shells, which are key for a rich taste. Here’s a simple outline:
- Melt butter in a pot and cook shrimp shells until pink and fragrant.
- Add chopped vegetables (onion, garlic, etc.) and cook until softened.
- Stir in tomato paste to deepen the color and flavor.
- Add white wine to deglaze the pot, scraping up any flavorful bits.
- Finally, pour in the seafood stock and simmer for 20 minutes to extract flavors.
Always strain your stock—this will ensure your bisque is smooth and creamy without any gritty bits.
How to Make Delicious Shrimp Bisque
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Soup:
- 1 lb raw shrimp, peeled and deveined, shells reserved
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 stalk celery, finely chopped
- 1 carrot, peeled and finely chopped
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/4 cup dry white wine (optional)
- 4 cups seafood stock or water
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp smoked paprika or cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Fresh chives, chopped for garnish
How Much Time Will You Need?
This scrumptious shrimp bisque takes about 15 minutes to prep and another 40 minutes to cook, so you’re looking at a total time of about 55 minutes. It’s easy to make, and the final result is totally worth every minute!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Shrimp Stock:
In a large pot, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the reserved shrimp shells and cook, stirring occasionally, until they turn pink and fragrant, which should take about 5 minutes. This step makes your bisque super flavorful!
2. Add the Veggies:
Next, toss in the chopped onion, garlic, celery, and carrot. Cook everything until the vegetables are nice and soft, which usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Your kitchen will start to smell amazing!
3. Stir in the Tomato Paste:
Add the tomato paste to the pot and stir it in, cooking for another 2 minutes until the paste darkens slightly. This will give your soup a great depth of flavor.
4. Deglaze with Wine (Optional):
Pour in the white wine, making sure to scrape up any delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Let the wine reduce by half, which should take about 3-4 minutes.
5. Add the Stock and Simmer:
Now, add in the seafood stock or water and bring it to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 20 minutes to help all those flavors come together.
6. Cook the Shrimp:
While your stock is simmering, season the peeled shrimp with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika or cayenne. In a skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Sear the shrimp for about 1-2 minutes on each side until they’re just cooked through. Set them aside for later.
7. Strain the Stock:
Once the stock has simmered, strain it through a fine sieve, pressing down to extract all that flavor. Discard the solids. You’ll be left with a rich and flavorful stock!
8. Bring it All Together:
Return the strained stock to the pot and add the heavy cream. Bring it back to a gentle simmer—it’s getting exciting!
9. Blend Until Smooth:
Using an immersion blender (or carefully using a regular blender in batches), puree the soup until it’s silky smooth. This is what gives bisque its lovely creamy texture.
10. Season to Taste:
Now’s the time to adjust your seasoning! Taste your bisque and add salt, pepper, and more smoked paprika or cayenne if you want a little extra kick.
11. Serve and Enjoy:
Ladle the bisque into bowls and top with the seared shrimp. Finish with a sprinkle of chopped fresh chives for a pop of color and flavor.
Serve this shrimp bisque hot alongside crusty bread for a comforting and elegant seafood soup experience. Enjoy every delightful spoonful! 🦐
Can I Use Frozen Shrimp for This Recipe?
Absolutely! Frozen shrimp work great. Just make sure they are fully thawed before cooking. Thaw them overnight in the fridge or place them in a sealed bag and submerge in cold water for a quicker option.
How Can I Make This Bisque Dairy-Free?
For a dairy-free version, replace the heavy cream with coconut milk or a dairy-free heavy cream alternative. Just be aware that this will change the flavor slightly, giving it a hint of coconut sweetness.
Can I Store Leftover Shrimp Bisque?
Yes, you can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When reheating, do so gently over low heat to prevent the cream from curdling or separating.
Can I Make This Recipe Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can prepare the bisque and store it in the fridge without the shrimp for up to 2 days. Simply reheat it on the stove, then add the seared shrimp just before serving to keep them tender.