Easy Creamy Crab Bisque is a silky rich mixture of sweet lump crab meat, potatoes, and vegetables enhanced with spices and aromatics. Warm up during the winter with this classic seafood dish that works great as a light appetizer or starter. This recipe is sure to satisfy any seafood lover.
Soup season is in full swing so let’s not forget that bisque is also a part of the family! If you are looking for more restaurant-quality soup then you should try my Shrimp Gyoza Miso Soup and my Butter & Sage Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Tomato Soup.
Crab bisque is a delightfully light seafood broth that I have enjoyed at plenty of restaurants in the D.C. area. I previously thought it was one of those dishes that I could only enjoy while dining out. Who knew it was so easy to make from home?
I have taken this dish and truly made it my own with some inclusions that you won’t find in your standard crab bisque. This is one tasty bisque recipe that you will be slurping up!
What is bisque?
Bisque is a type of soup. It has French origins and is made from crustaceans such as lobster, shrimp, and course, crab! Bisque is known for its smooth, velvety texture. That creaminess typically comes from the inclusion of wine and cream.
What’s the difference between Bisque, Chowder & Soup?
All bisques are soup, but not all soups are bisques. Let me clarify. Both bisque and chowder are different types of thick soups.
However, they differ in flavor, texture, and preparation. Bisque is generally smooth while chowder is chunky. Bisques are usually pureed whereas chowder is chock full of potatoes, meats, and vegetables.
What is crab bisque made of?
I am all about convenience so I created this delicious easy creamy crab bisque using many of the items in my pantry. I substituted and omitted a few ingredients that you would find in a typical crab bisque. However, the end result kept the essence of the dish and was just as tasty!
- Lump Crab Meat: After a failed attempt to make sushi at home, I had leftover crab meat. You can use the canned variety because it’s more affordable.
- Clam Juice: Boosts the flavor and adds a fresh taste.
- Old Bay: Adds a touch of heat and complements the crab meat.
- Potato: Instead of flour, I used this to thicken the bisque.
- Tomato Paste: A great base to the soup that adds flavor and color.
- Aromatics: Garlic, shallot, and onion.
- Bay Leaf: Infused into the broth and removed before pureeing.
- Vegetables: Celery and carrots.
- Butter: Adds a rich creaminess.
- Heavy cream: Enriches the soup with a light, creamy texture.
- Vegetable stock: I opted for this instead of the fish stock for a lighter flavor.
- Salt/Pepper: Add to taste.
- Chives: Just include a sprinkle for garnish.
How to Make an Easy Creamy Crab Bisque
In a med-large quart pot or dutch oven, over medium heat, melt butter. Then add potato, onion, carrots, and celery and cook for 4-5 minutes. Next add shallots and garlic. Season with salt and pepper and Old Bay, and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
Next, add stock, tomato paste, and let simmer for 25 mins. Stir in the bay leaf. Reduce heat and let simmer until liquid is reduced, for about 20-25 minutes.
Remove bay leaf and puree soup with blender or immersion bedder on high until very smooth. Return to medium-low heat and stir in heavy cream and half of the lump crab, cook for 5 minutes.
Finally, divide among bowls and garnish with remaining crab and chives.
Did you try this recipe? I’d love to see it! Tag me in your BonAppeDee inspired home-cooked meals on Instagram!
Easy Crab Bisque
Course: Appetizers, Entrees4-6
servings10
minutes35
minutes340
kcalEasy Creamy Crab Bisque is a silky rich mixture of sweet lump crab meat, potatoes, and vegetables enhanced with spices and aromatics. Warm up during the winter with this classic seafood dish that works great as a light appetizer or starter. This recipe is sure to satisfy any seafood lover.
Ingredients
3 oz Lump Crab Meat (1 container)
1 1/2 tsp Old Bay
1 large Potato (diced)
2 Tbsp Tomato Paste
4 cloves Garlic (minced)
2 Bay Leaf
1 Shallot (finely chopped)
1/2 med Onion (finely chopped)
2 stalks Celery (finely chopped)
2 Carrots( diced)
2 Tbsp Butter
1/2 cup Heavy Cream
1 cup Vegetable Stock
Salt/Pepper
Chives (garnish)
Directions
- In a med-large quart pot or dutch oven, over medium heat, melt butter. Add potato, onion, carrots, and celery and cook for 4-5 minutes. Add shallots and garlic. Season with salt and pepper and old bay, and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Next, add stock, tomato paste, and let simmer for 25 mins.
- Stir in the bay leaf. Reduce heat and let simmer until liquid is reduced, for about 20-25 minutes.
- Remove bay leaf and puree soup with blender or immersion bedder on high until very smooth.
- Return to medium-low heat and stir in heavy cream and half of the lump crab, cook for 5 minutes.
- Divide among bowls and garnish with remaining crab and chives.
Having lived in Maryland for years, I’m a sucker for anything that includes crab. This bisque was creamy and full of deep flavors. I’ll be making this frequently.
I can identify, the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area is serious about crab.
The silky-ness of this crab bisque was AMAZING with the potato added, which also helped to make it filling. Devoured 2 bowls of it because it was so good
I like to think the potatoes provided the right amount of comfortable to this recipe.
We’ve been having some pretty cold days here in the DC area. After making this soup, I don’t mind the cold days at all. This crab bisque was rich and flavorful. I’ll definitely make this again!
Cold days are indeed better with something tasty and hot.
I have been craving crab for sometime now. I’m so glad I came across this recipe because the soup did not disappoint. Amazing!
I’m happy to hear my recipe satisfied your craving.
I am a sucker for crab bisque and having a homemade version was right on time! This recipe was so easy to make, the directions were clear and I can’t wait to make this again!
I homemade crab bisque is such perfection during this season.
My crab bisque turned out so creamy and cozy! I can’t thank you enough for the recipe!
You are so very welcome!
This recipe was 10/10 absolutely delicious! It was creamy and silky and went so well with my dinner rolls! This is my new favorite crab bisque recipe!
I’m happy to hear you enjoyed the creamiest.
I’m so glad I found this recipe! I love seafood bisque but I had no idea it would be so easy to make at home! Thank you!
I’m happy to hear it was east to make in your very own kitchen.
What a delicious wholesome seafood dish. The flavors were on point and the dish was so satisfying. I will definitely be making this again.
I happy the flavors were point on!
This was perfect and really warming too! The crab made it so filling and I loved the flavor so much!
The lump crab is the perfect addition.
This was my first time making crab bisque and I’m so glad I found your recipe. Easy to follow and SO tasty. Thank you!
I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe.
Three words: Rich, vibrant and delicious! Will be making it again!
These are words make me happy when describing my recipe.