Creamy Lobster Bisque Soup - Easy Recipe! (2024)

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Katerina

4.85 from 13 votes

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This Easy Lobster Bisque is the fabulous gourmet starter you didn’t know you needed! You’re going to love this creamy soup made with buttery lobster tails, seafood stock, and fresh herbs.

Creamy Lobster Bisque Soup - Easy Recipe! (2)

If you’ve ever eaten a truly good lobster bisque made with fresh lobster, you know how additionally special this soup is. Creamy, thick, and infused with lobster flavor, the highly seasoned dish is a seafood lover’s delight! It’s one of my favorite soups, hands down. The issue with making lobster bisque at home is that it’s a rather complicated recipe. My version, though, is very simple! Although it’s homemade from scratch, the process has been streamlined for you to make everything easier. And don’t worry! It’s still thick, creamy, and well-seasoned, with succulent pieces of lobster meat all throughout.

    What is Bisque?

    Originally, a bisque meant a creamy soup with a base made from the flavor-rich shells of seafood. It originated in France, and these days, any thick puréed soup with a cream base is considered a bisque. You’ll find lots of velvety bisques out there, from tomato to mushroom to this lobster version. Other popular variations include crab, shrimp, crayfish, and langoustine. If you want to be really traditional, serve this bisque soup in a two-handled cup on a saucer or a large mug.

    Creamy Lobster Bisque Soup - Easy Recipe! (3)

    Lobster Bisque Ingredients

    • Lobster: For this recipe, I used four uncooked lobster tails.
    • Olive Oil and Butter: For sautéing.
    • Onion: Dice up a small onion; I typically use yellow onions, but any kind will do.
    • Celery: You’ll need three celery stalks, finely chopped.
    • Carrots: Finely chopped carrots add sweetness to the bisque.
    • Fresh Thyme and Rosemary: These classic herbs create fragrance and depth.
    • Salt and Pepper: To taste.
    • Garlic: Mince four cloves of garlic.
    • Tomato Paste: Tomato paste is a simple way to add a lot of flavor to just about any soup or stew.
    • Flour: Use a little all-purpose flour to thicken the bisque.
    • Seafood Stock: You can make your own seafood stock or purchase some.
    • Dry White Wine: Make sure to use your favorite dry wine.
    • Bay Leaf: You’ll need one bay leaf.
    • Cream: Use heavy cream here – it makes the bisque rich and velvety.
    • Chopped Fresh Parsley: For garnish.

    Can I Use Frozen Lobster Tails?

    Definitely! In fact, frozen seafood is often of higher quality than fresh seafood at a supermarket. That’s because it is frozen right after being caught and cleaned. You can even cook them from frozen. No need to thaw.

    How to Make Lobster Bisque

    Making this bisque is very simple, especially if you start with all of your ingredients prepped and organized on your work surface.

    Creamy Lobster Bisque Soup - Easy Recipe! (4)
    Creamy Lobster Bisque Soup - Easy Recipe! (5)
    1. Cook the Lobster Tails. Fill a large pot with water and set over high heat. Stir in salt and bring to a boil. Add the lobster tails, cover with a lid, and continue to boil until the lobsters are fully cooked.
    2. Chop the Lobster Meat. Remove the cooked lobster tails from the water and set them aside to cool. Remove the meat from the shells and chop it up into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
    3. Sauté the Veggies. In the meantime, heat the olive oil and butter in a Dutch oven or 6-quart soup pot. Stir in the onions, celery, carrots, fresh thyme, and rosemary. Season with salt and pepper, and cook for 5 minutes.
    4. Add Garlic, Tomato Paste, and Flour. Stir in the garlic and tomato paste. Finally, sprinkle flour over the veggies and cook for 1 more minute.
    5. Add Liquids and Simmer. Stir in the seafood stock and wine. Add the bay leaf and reduce the heat to a simmer, cooking for about 30 minutes.
    6. Blend. Using an immersion blender, blend the soup until smooth. You could also use a regular blender.
    7. Finish the Bisque. Stir in the heavy cream and the reserved lobster meat; cook for 5 more minutes. Taste for salt and pepper, adjusting as needed. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.
    Creamy Lobster Bisque Soup - Easy Recipe! (6)

    How To Choose Lobster

    When choosing lobster, the first thing to look for is a gray tinge or discolored areas – steer clear of those! A speckled shell is fine. Speckled lobster is generally from a warm water locale, like Florida. Just try to look for tails that have an even color without any unpleasant, ammonia-like odor. However, if you can find cold-water lobster, that’s the better buy, although typically pricier. Cold-water lobsters, like the amazing ones that have made Maine famous, are known for cleaner, firmer, tastier meat.

    Tips for Success

    • Easy Lobster Stock: You can make your own stock for this dish with the leftover lobster shells. In a separate pot, melt a little butter and sauté the shells for a minute or two with some celery and onion. Then add about five cups of water and a splash of wine, and cook on low heat for about an hour.
    • Cheesecloth for Extra Smoothness: To get the silkiest texture, strain the blended soup through layers of cheesecloth before adding the lobster meat and cream.
    • Spice It Up: For a Louisiana kick, try stirring a little Creole seasoning into your bisque!

    What Goes with Lobster Bisque Soup?

    Lobster bisque is a special dish and is wonderful to serve as a starter for a hearty Oven Grilled Steak. Or play up the bisque’s creaminess with this Creamy Garlic Butter Pasta with Spinach. Biscuits are my favorite with everything, but especially with lobster bisque! Try these super-simple Garlic and Cheddar Drop Biscuits.

    Creamy Lobster Bisque Soup - Easy Recipe! (7)

    How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

    • To store leftovers, place them in an airtight food storage container and refrigerate for 2 to 3 days.
    • Freezing bisque is not recommended, because the texture will degrade.

    More Seafood Recipes to Try

    • Creamy Lemon Butter Scallops
    • Buttery Baked Lobster Tails
    • San Francisco Cioppino
    • Air Fryer Salmon Bites

    Creamy Lobster Bisque Soup - Easy Recipe! (8)

    Creamy Lobster Bisque

    Katerina | Diethood

    An easier version of the French classic, this Creamy Lobster Bisque is a silky pureed seafood soup made with buttery lobster tails, fresh herbs, and stock.

    4.85 from 13 votes

    Rate this Recipe!

    Servings : 8

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    Prep Time 15 minutes mins

    Cook Time 45 minutes mins

    Total Time 1 hour hr

    Ingredients

    • 4 lobster tails, each should weigh about 6 ounces
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon butter
    • 1 small yellow onion, diced
    • 3 stalks celery, finely chopped
    • 2 carrots, peeled and finely chopped
    • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
    • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary leaves
    • salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste
    • 4 cloves garlic, minced
    • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
    • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
    • 5 to 6 cups seafood stock
    • cups dry white wine
    • 1 bay leaf
    • ½ cup heavy cream
    • chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

    Instructions

    • Fill a large pot with 6 cups of water and set over high heat. Stir in 1 teaspoon salt and bring to a boil.

    • Add the lobster tails to the boiling water; cover with a lid and continue to boil for 4 to 5 minutes or until cooked through and the lobsters are bright red. If cooking frozen lobsters, they may need a minute or two longer to cook.

    • Remove the cooked lobster tails from the pot and set aside to cool.

    • When the lobsters are cool enough to handle, remove the meat from the shells. Chop up the meat into bite-sized pieces and set aside.

    • In the meantime, set a Dutch oven or heavy soup pot over medium heat.

    • Add olive oil and butter to the pot and heat it up. To the hot oil, add onions, celery, and carrots.

    • Stir in fresh thyme and rosemary, and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes or until soft and tender.

    • Stir in garlic and cook for 20 seconds. Add tomato paste and stir to coat all the veggies; cook for 2 minutes.

    • Sprinkle flour over the veggies and cook for 1 more minute. Pour in seafood stock and wine; stir to combine.

    • Add bay leaf; reduce heat to a simmer. Let simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

    • Remove the bay leaf.

    • Using an immersion blender, blend the soup until smooth. You can also use a regular blender or food processor, but don’t blend all the soup at once; blend in batches.

    • Stir in the heavy cream and the reserved lobster meat; cook for 5 more minutes or until heated through.

    • Taste for salt and pepper, and adjust to taste.

    • Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 202 kcal | Carbohydrates: 8 g | Protein: 8 g | Fat: 12 g | Saturated Fat: 5 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5 g | Trans Fat: 1 g | Cholesterol: 54 mg | Sodium: 669 mg | Potassium: 389 mg | Fiber: 1 g | Sugar: 3 g | Vitamin A: 2962 IU | Vitamin C: 4 mg | Calcium: 99 mg | Iron: 1 mg

    Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.

    Course: Soup

    Cuisine: French

    Keyword: bisque soup, easy seafood recipe, lobster dinner ideas, lobster tail recipe

    Did you make this recipe?Leave a Rating!

    Categories:

    • Dinner Recipes
    • Freezer Friendly Meals
    • Holidays
    • Recipes
    • Seafood
    • Soups
    • Valentine’s Day
    Creamy Lobster Bisque Soup - Easy Recipe! (2024)

    FAQs

    What is the main liquid ingredient of a bisque? ›

    Liquid — Bisque recipes aren't shy about liquids: cream or milk, broth, clam juice white wine, and often a bit of brandy are used to create a complex, fascinating flavor.

    What makes a bisque creamy? ›

    A bisque is a smooth, creamy French style of soup, traditionally made from crustaceans like lobster, crab or crayfish. It should include a stock made from the shells, a large amount of cream, and a thickening agent made from either finely-ground shells or rice.

    What is lobster bisque soup made of? ›

    Flavorful lobster stock: The broth in this delicious soup is a combination of seafood stock with a rich broth made from the lobster shells and herbs. Fantastic texture: The combination of small tender pieces of lobster with the pureed bisque that is finished with cream creates the most wonderful combination.

    How do I thicken my lobster bisque? ›

    Mix cornstarch with 1/4 cup water and slowly add to bisque with whisk. Simmer on low heat for another 20 minutes.

    What is the classic thickener for a bisque? ›

    Most modern bisques are thickened using rice. Some cook the rice in the broth and strain it out later, using only the left-behind rice starch to thicken the soup. Others puree the rice into the soup to thicken it. Almost all bisques are finished with hot cream for a velvety texture.

    Which is usually a main ingredient in a bisque responses? ›

    The term bisque usually refers to a highly seasoned and creamy seafood soup made from shellfish, particularly lobster, crab, or shrimp. A bisque traditionally starts with boiling seafood shells for a luxury sweet stock. The meat from the crustaceans is often kept aside to add back into the soup at the end.

    How do I make my soup more creamy? ›

    The best options for thickening soup are cream or half and half. Plain yogurt or even freshly grated cheese works well and adds an extra layer of tangy, salty flavor. Add the dairy at the end and avoid bringing the soup to a boil since this can cause yogurt, cheese, or cream to split.

    What is the secret ingredient to thicken soup? ›

    Add Flour Or Cornstarch

    You can thicken soup by adding flour, cornstarch, or another starchy substitute.

    What liquor do you put in lobster bisque? ›

    The lobster bisque, a classic lobster dish from New England, traditionally uses both white wine and brandy in its preparation. Brandy is made from grapes, so you can consider it like an extremely pepped up version of wine.

    What's the difference between lobster soup and lobster bisque? ›

    While lobster bisque is considered to be a type of soup, there are a few differences that set the two appetizers apart. Bisque is far creamier and richer than traditional soup, which consists mostly of broth, veggies and spices.

    What pairs well with lobster bisque? ›

    Side Dishes That Complement Lobster Bisque

    A side of crusty French bread or garlic bread is perfect for soaking up the soup. For a healthier option, brown rice or quinoa can be great. Steamed or roasted vegetables like asparagus, green beans, or a medley of summer squash add color and texture to the meal.

    Why is lobster bisque so good? ›

    In American recipes, using a combination of lobster shells, bodies, claw meat, and tail meat provides the bisque its telltale taste and feel. Depending on the recipe, you will remove the lobster from the body, dice it, and add the chopped lobster meat to the broth and develop flavors that way.

    Why does lobster bisque taste bitter? ›

    Put all the lobster shells in a big pot and fill with coldwater so it covers the shells add the parsley stalks , peppercorns and 1 of the tomatoes chopped in half. Bring to the boil then turn down to a simmer and cook for 20 – 30 mins. If you cook it for too long the stock can become bitter.

    What is a good substitute for lobster in lobster bisque? ›

    Lobster bisque options

    Although you'll be missing out on that characteristic lobster texture, you can totally substitute in shrimp or even a tender white fish like tilapia or cod.

    What is the principal ingredient of the French soup bisque? ›

    Traditional French bisque recipes feature seafood like lobster, crayfish, shrimp, or crab as the main ingredient. While a bisque may contain the same ingredients as a chowder or stew, it is puréed before serving so that it is perfectly smooth.

    What alcohol is used for a bisque? ›

    The addition of alcohol is a classic flavoring method but can provide more than just flavor. White wine, brandy or sherry can be used and are all excellent liquids for deglazing. This ensures every bit of flavor is cooked into the soup as opposed to being stuck to the bottom of the pan.

    What is bisque a type of soup typically made with? ›

    Bisque is a rich, thick, smooth soup that's often made with shellfish, such as lobster, crab, or shrimp.

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