Seafood Bisque with Crab, Shrimp, and Lobster – A Creamy Coastal Classic

Indulge in the luxurious flavors of the sea with this creamy Seafood Bisque. Made with tender crab, succulent shrimp, and buttery lobster, this dish is velvety smooth, deeply flavorful, and surprisingly easy to make at home. Whether served as a starter for a special dinner or as the star of a cozy evening meal, this bisque delivers restaurant-quality taste with comforting, homemade charm.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Rich & Elegant: A silky soup that feels indulgent without being heavy.
Seafood Trio: Crab, shrimp, and lobster bring incredible depth of flavor.
Perfect for Special Occasions: A show-stopping starter or main course.
Surprisingly Simple: Easy steps make this gourmet dish approachable.

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
  • 1 medium carrot, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups seafood or chicken stock
  • 1 cup low-sodium tomato juice (or crushed tomatoes)
  • 1 cup half-and-half or light cream
  • ½ cup dry white wine (optional, but recommended)
  • ½ tsp Old Bay seasoning (or paprika + pinch of cayenne)
  • ½ tsp dried thyme
  • ½ lb lump crab meat
  • ½ lb shrimp, peeled, deveined, and chopped
  • ½ lb cooked lobster meat, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh parsley or chives, for garnish

Instructions

1. Sauté the Aromatics
In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion, celery, and carrot. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute more.

2. Build the Base
Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir to coat. Slowly whisk in the stock, ensuring no lumps remain. Add tomato juice, wine (if using), thyme, and Old Bay seasoning. Simmer for 15 minutes.

3. Blend for Creaminess
Use an immersion blender (or carefully transfer to a blender) to puree the mixture until smooth. Return to the pot.

4. Add the Seafood
Stir in cream, then gently fold in crab, shrimp, and lobster. Simmer for 8–10 minutes, until the shrimp is pink and the bisque is heated through.

5. Season & Serve
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Ladle into bowls, garnish with parsley or chives, and serve warm with crusty bread.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 310
Carbohydrates: 14g
Fat: 15g
Protein: 28g
Fiber: 2g

Tips for Success

  • Don’t Overcook Seafood: Add it at the end so it stays tender and juicy.
  • Use Fresh or Frozen: Frozen shrimp and lobster work beautifully if fresh isn’t available.
  • Boost Flavor: A splash of sherry or squeeze of lemon before serving enhances richness.
  • Make Ahead: Prepare the base a day early and add seafood just before serving.

Why This Recipe Works

By blending the vegetable base, you create a silky-smooth bisque that pairs perfectly with the rich sweetness of crab, shrimp, and lobster. Cream adds body without heaviness, while herbs and spices balance the flavors of the sea for a dish that feels luxurious but remains approachable.

Seafood Bisque with Crab, Shrimp, and Lobster is the ultimate comfort-meets-elegance dish. Creamy, flavorful, and brimming with tender seafood, it’s a restaurant-worthy recipe made simple at home. Serve it as a starter for a special meal or enjoy a big bowl on its own—it’s guaranteed to impress.

Seafood Bisque with Crab, Shrimp, and Lobster – A Creamy Coastal Classic

Servings

6

servings
Prep time

20

minutes
Cooking time

35

minutes
Calories

310

kcal
Total time

55

minutes

Indulge in the luxurious flavors of the sea with this creamy Seafood Bisque. Made with tender crab, succulent shrimp, and buttery lobster, this dish is velvety smooth, deeply flavorful, and surprisingly easy to make at home. Whether served as a starter for a special dinner or as the star of a cozy evening meal, this bisque delivers restaurant-quality taste with comforting, homemade charm.

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter

  • 1 small onion, finely chopped

  • 2 celery stalks, finely chopped

  • 1 medium carrot, finely chopped

  • 3 garlic cloves, minced

  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour

  • 3 cups seafood or chicken stock

  • 1 cup low-sodium tomato juice (or crushed tomatoes)

  • 1 cup half-and-half or light cream

  • ½ cup dry white wine (optional, but recommended)

  • ½ tsp Old Bay seasoning (or paprika + pinch of cayenne)

  • ½ tsp dried thyme

  • ½ lb lump crab meat

  • ½ lb shrimp, peeled, deveined, and chopped

  • ½ lb cooked lobster meat, chopped

  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

  • Fresh parsley or chives, for garnish

Instructions

  • Sauté the Aromatics
    In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion, celery, and carrot. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
  • Build the Base
    Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir to coat. Slowly whisk in the stock, ensuring no lumps remain. Add tomato juice, wine (if using), thyme, and Old Bay seasoning. Simmer for 15 minutes.
  • Blend for Creaminess
    Use an immersion blender (or carefully transfer to a blender) to puree the mixture until smooth. Return to the pot.
  • Add the Seafood
    Stir in cream, then gently fold in crab, shrimp, and lobster. Simmer for 8–10 minutes, until the shrimp is pink and the bisque is heated through.
  • Season & Serve
    Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Ladle into bowls, garnish with parsley or chives, and serve warm with crusty bread.

Notes

  • Don’t Overcook Seafood: Add it at the end so it stays tender and juicy.
    Use Fresh or Frozen: Frozen shrimp and lobster work beautifully if fresh isn’t available.
    Boost Flavor: A splash of sherry or squeeze of lemon before serving enhances richness.
    Make Ahead: Prepare the base a day early and add seafood just before serving.

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