I don’t always eat out, but more restaurants are offering healthy menus, so I have more options to do so. Years ago, there was only one restaurant in my small town that I really enjoyed. I ordered the shrimp bisque almost every time!
It eventually opened under new management and with a new menu. None of this would be a problem if it weren’t for the delicious seafood bisque. I knew I had to take matters into my own hands. I decided to recreate the taste of that delicious soup before I forget it.
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Making shrimp bisque
At the time, the town I lived in had limited access to quality seafood. Instead of expensive and hard-to-find seafood like crab or lobster, I decided to use shrimp as a base. Now that I live on the coast, I can choose what I like, but I still love this shrimp bisque version. Even if you don’t have great seafood in your area, there are places like this one that will ship your wild caught seafood to you.
I can’t believe I didn’t try to recreate this recipe sooner, as it’s relatively expensive for restaurants and may contain questionable ingredients anyway. Now you can enjoy this favorite soup anytime at home.
What is the difference between bisque and soup?
Bisque is defined as a small slice of heaven.
Technically, this is a creamy, soup-based, flavorful French soup. It’s often made with seafood stock as a base and vegetables sautéed or pureed for thickness and flavor. The term “bisque” refers to any kind of creamy soup, but the original authentic bisque includes soup and shellfish puree. On the other hand, chowders (such as clam chowder) are thick and chunky.
This is the most budget-friendly authentic bisque I’ve been able to make. I’ve found that shrimp are often easily available and inexpensive (even when they’re wild). Feel free to use lobster, crab, or shellfish instead, depending on your preference.
I love this creamy shrimp bisque so much that it can be eaten as a meal on its own. However, it is traditionally served as an appetizer.
Dairy-free shrimp bisque
This recipe contains dairy and is not suitable for those with dairy allergies or sensitivities, as noted. However, you can also use thickened coconut milk in place of cream in this recipe. The taste and texture will change slightly, but the result will still be delicious.
Of course, it’s gluten-free, so there’s no need to worry. Some recipes use all-purpose flour to thicken the sauce, but here I use carrots and celery to thicken it.
decoration ideas
The base of the soup is creamy, so garnishes add visual and textural contrast. You can also add a few sprigs of parsley on top and a sprinkle of kosher salt. Chopped chives are also a nice addition. If you have healthy croutons, that would be good too. If you like your soup spicy, you can always sprinkle a little cayenne pepper on top.
Chicken soup vs seafood stock
I originally wrote this recipe using chicken stock because I had access to it. Traditionally, it is made using seafood or shrimp stock. Either choice is delicious, but it all depends on your preference.
If you can’t find healthy shrimp stock, it’s super easy to make your own. Remove the shrimp shells and fry in a little oil. Then add a few cups of water and salt, boil and strain. Some people add seasonings such as rosemary or bay leaves to the cooking water.Here it is easy shrimp stock recipe If necessary.
simple shrimp bisque recipe
A delicious creamy bisque with a soup base and subtle flavors of shrimp, shallots, carrots and celery. Full of nutrition and delicious!
1 serving
nutrition
Nutritional information table
simple shrimp bisque recipe
Amount per serving (1 serving)
calorie 552
Calories from fat 495
% daily value*
fat 55g85%
35g saturated fat219%
Trans fatty acids 0.5g
3g polyunsaturated fat
14g monounsaturated fat
cholesterol 165mg55%
sodium 755mg33%
potassium 324mg9%
carbohydrates 9g3%
Dietary fiber 1gFour%
5g sugar6%
protein 6g12%
vitamin A 3649IU73%
vitamin C 3mgFour%
calcium 107mg11%
iron 1mg6%
*Percent daily intake is based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Note
- You can also use a combination of crab, lobster, or your favorite seafood. Lobster bisque is also delicious!
- If you prefer a richer bisque, reduce the broth and cream to 1 1/2 cups each.
Do you have a favorite soup recipe? May I share? Let us know by leaving a comment.