Easy Shrimp Bisque Recipe

Name: Easy Shrimp Bisque Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons butter; 2 sticks celery (chopped); 1 medium carrot (chopped); 1/4 cup green onion (chopped, more for garnish); 2 cloves garlic (finely chopped); 1/3 cup flour (plus 2 tablespoons); 1 cup heavy whipping cream; 5-6 cups shrimp stock (homemade); 2 lb raw shrimp (jumbo size (about 15 pieces) raw & wild-caught, peeled - deveined - washed & chopped); 4 slices rustic bread (or french bread, cut into cubes and baked at 400F until toasted. ); salt & pepper (to taste)

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This easy shrimp bisque recipe, or the best shrimp bisque recipe as my husband calls it, is a rich, warming, and cozy soup made in one pot using homemade shrimp stock for unrivaled flavor!

Using just a few pantry staples, this thick and velvety smooth bisque gives us a more affordable version than the higher-priced lobster bisque!

Shrimp is easily accessible and pretty handy as most people who enjoy eating shrimp will have a bag on hand in their freezer.

I like to add a few pieces of succulent juicy shrimp on top along with crunchy croutons just before serving so that way there’s a balance of textures. Bisque is supposed to be classy and elegant, but a dish this comforting and easy to make is perfect for all occasions.

Serve it as a main dish with a slice of rustic bread to soak up every last drop, or serve it as a main with a side salad or half of a sandwich.

This tasty shrimp bisque soup is going to become one of your favorite ways to keep warm all winter long!

Ingredients Needed for Creamy Shrimp Bisque

Butter: The flavors of any good soup usually come from building layers on top of layers. The butter is used to cook the celery, onions, and carrots which is the base of the entire soup.
Mirepoix: The trio of celery, carrots, and onions is a popular flavor base used in all kinds of recipes. It’s like the holy trinity of cooking!
Garlic: A tasty aromatic that also adds incredible flavor.
All-purpose flour: A bisque is a thick soup, so we use the flour as a thickener.
Heavy whipping cream: This gives it a velvety smooth and rich consistency.
Shrimp stock: I use homemade shrimp stock for a beautifully intense shrimp flavor, but you can use store-bought if that’s what you have.
Jumbo shrimp: Raw, wild-caught is my favorite just because I tend to stay away from farmed seafood, but it’s completely up to you. Just be sure that they’re deveined and have the shells removed.
Bread: We’re making croutons! See below for the simple instructions.
Salt & pepper: Season to taste.

How to Make Shrimp Bisque

Step 1: In a large stock pot or Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat, then add the celery, onions, and carrots to cook for about 5 minutes. Stir occasionally while the veggies sauté.

Step 2: Add the garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Add the flour and stir for 1 minute. This will form a roux which is a light beige paste that will thicken the soup.

Step 3: Slowly whisk in the heavy whipping cream, until everything is combined and smooth. There should be no lumps of flour left.

Step 4: Pour in the shrimp stock and mix until combined. Cook for 10 minutes until the contents of the pot have thickened.

Step 5: Add shrimp and bring the soup to a gentle boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 6: Serve hot with toasted croutons and chopped green onion. Enjoy!

A Quick Guide To Making Croutons

I love using any type of rustic bread, and when I make my no knead bread I usually save whatever’s left for breadcrumbs and croutons.

You can use any type of bread you have on hand. French bread, Italian bread, white, whole wheat, or sourdough bread. It’s especially great with day-old bread.

Cut the bread into 1-inch cubes.
Lay them out onto a baking sheet in a single layer, leaving space between each one.
Bake in a preheated 400-degree oven for 10 minutes until toasted.

I enjoy mine plain but you can drizzle them with olive oil and season them to your liking if desired. Garlic, herbs, Parmesan, or even just a bit of salt and pepper are great.

Make Soup Ahead

There are a few ways you can prepare ahead of time, which makes it convenient to make a stock from scratch.

Prepare and clean the shrimp the day before. Use the shells to make the stock and keep it in the fridge until the next day.

Then, when you’re ready to make the shrimp bisque recipe, your shrimp has been cleaned, and your stock is made!

Recipe FAQs

Is this bisque recipe suitable to serve a crowd?

Absolutely! You can also easily double or triple the recipe as needed. As long as you have a pot big enough, go for it!

Can you freeze shrimp bisque?

It freezes really well, so if you’re making more than enough, don’t fret. It’ll stay frozen for up to 6 months when stored and sealed in an airtight freezer bag or container.

How to reheat it?

To reheat add bisque to a pot and heat it on a low heat until desired temperature.

Is a bisque the same as a chowder?

They are not the same thing. Both are incredibly flavorful and delicious and both are traditionally made with seafood. The main difference is in the texture.

A bisque is smooth and creamy while chowder is chunky, usually loaded with pieces of fish, seafood, and veggies.