Q1: What is in shrimp bisque?

If we’re talking about a real shrimp bisque recipe, it’s mostly stuff you might already have. You’ll need shrimp shells—don’t toss ’em, that’s where the flavor is hiding. Then it’s just the usual base: onion, celery, garlic, a bay leaf, some thyme, maybe a spoon of tomato paste. Add a splash of white wine, stir in some cream, and yeah—maybe a bit of butter for good measure. Nothing wild.

Q2: What are the two ingredients that make a bisque different from a purée soup?

That’s an easy one—it’s shellfish and cream. You don’t usually find seafood shells in a regular puréed soup, but in a bisque? That’s the base. The shrimp shells (or lobster, depending on the recipe) get simmered down to pull out all the flavor. Then the cream brings in that smooth, rich finish. Honestly, that combo is what makes a bisque feel so much fancier than your average blended soup.

Q3: Which is usually a main ingredient in a bisque?

Shrimp, most of the time. Or lobster. But especially the shells—that’s where the magic hides. The meat’s great, but the shrimp flavor comes from the parts you don’t eat.

Q4: What makes a bisque different from soup?

Soup’s flexible. Bisque? Smoother. Richer. It’s blended until velvety, thickened with flour or sometimes rice, and usually has cream stirred in at the end.

Q5: What is the classic thickener for a bisque?

Traditionally, it was rice, believe it or not. But these days—especially in a home-style shrimp bisque recipe—a roux with a little flour gets the job done.

Q6: Do all bisques have cream?

Pretty much, yeah. That’s kind of the point. Though if dairy’s an issue, I’ve used cashew cream or even coconut milk. Different, but still cozy and smooth.

Creamy Shrimp Bisque Recipe – Easy Homemade Seafood Soup

Name: Shrimp Bisque Recipe (Rich, Creamy & Restaurant-Worthy at Home)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 1 to 1½ pounds raw shrimp, peeled and deveined (reserve shells); 1-2 tablespoons olive oil or butter; 1 onion, chopped; 2 celery stalks, chopped; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 1 bay leaf; 1 sprig fresh thyme; 3-4 cups water (for shrimp stock); 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 2 tablespoons flour; ½ cup dry white wine; ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (or to taste); 1 teaspoon Creole seasoning (optional); 1 cup heavy cream; Salt and pepper to taste

Description

A rich, creamy shrimp bisque recipe made with homemade shrimp stock, aromatic vegetables, white wine, tomato paste, and heavy cream. This comforting seafood soup is easy enough for weeknights but elegant enough for special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

1 to 1½ pounds raw shrimp, peeled and deveined (reserve shells)
1–2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
1 onion, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 bay leaf
1 sprig fresh thyme
3–4 cups water (for shrimp stock)
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons flour
½ cup dry white wine
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (or to taste)
1 teaspoon Creole seasoning (optional)
1 cup heavy cream
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Peel and clean the shrimp. Set shrimp aside and save the shells for stock.
In a pot, heat oil and add shrimp shells, onion, celery, garlic, bay leaf, and thyme. Cook for 5–7 minutes.
Add 3–4 cups of water and let it simmer for 25–30 minutes. Strain and reserve the stock.
In a Dutch oven, heat oil or butter. Sauté more onion, celery, and garlic until soft.
Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1–2 minutes. Add flour and stir to combine.
Pour in white wine and cook briefly. Add cayenne and Creole seasoning (if using).
Slowly stir in shrimp stock. Simmer for 10 minutes.
Add cream and stir gently. Do not boil.
Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth.
Add the reserved shrimp and cook for 3–4 minutes, until they turn pink.
Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve hot with bread or salad.

Notes

For dairy-free version, use coconut or cashew cream.
To freeze, do so before adding cream and stir it in after reheating.
Cornstarch or arrowroot can replace flour for gluten-free version.
If you don’t have white wine, use shrimp stock with a squeeze of lemon.
If you’re keeping an eye on heart health, you can lighten this dish by using half-and-half or a plant-based cream. The American Heart Association offers a variety of seafood recipes that meet their heart-healthy standards.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Soup
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: French

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 518
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 1796mg
Fat: 37g
Saturated Fat: 22g
Unsaturated Fat: 12g
Trans Fat: 1g
Carbohydrates: 12g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 29g
Cholesterol: 329mg

Keywords: shrimp bisque recipe, creamy shrimp bisque, seafood soup, shrimp soup, French bisque, easy shrimp recipe