Luxurious Creamy Shrimp and Corn Bisque Recipe for Cozy Nights

Comfort meets coastal charm in this rich shrimp and corn bisque that captures summer’s essence.

Seafood enthusiasts will relish the deep, velvety flavors of this southern-inspired dish.

Tender Gulf shrimp swim through a luxurious blend of sweet corn and cream.

Each spoonful delivers a delicate balance of maritime freshness and hearty warmth.

The bisque’s silky texture promises a culinary experience that warms from the inside out.

Fresh ingredients transform this classic recipe into a memorable meal that speaks to both tradition and innovation.

Serve this bisque as a stunning starter or a soul-satisfying main course that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 420 kcal

Servings: 5

Shrimp Bisque Ingredients That Bring Big Flavor

• Onion: Adds savory depth and aromatic foundation with a sweet undertone, choose firm and glossy bulbs without soft spots.
• Celery: Provides crisp texture and herbal notes, select bright green stalks with no wilting or brown edges.
• Red Bell Pepper: Introduces vibrant color and subtle sweetness, pick peppers with smooth, taut skin and no blemishes.
• Garlic: Delivers robust flavor punch, look for tight, compact bulbs without sprouting or soft cloves.

• Shrimp: Creates protein-rich protein centerpiece, select fresh or frozen wild-caught shrimp with firm, translucent appearance.
• Shrimp Shells: Optional stock ingredient offering intense oceanic essence, collect shells from peeled shrimp for extra flavor depth.

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy base for sautéing vegetables, choose unsalted for better flavor control.
• Flour: Helps thicken bisque with smooth consistency, all-purpose works perfectly for creating silky texture.
• Seafood or Chicken Broth: Builds foundational liquid layer, select low-sodium versions for balanced seasoning.
• White Wine: Introduces complex undertone and acidity, use dry varieties like sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio.
• Corn: Adds sweet kernel bursts and textural contrast, fresh or frozen kernels work wonderfully.
• Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious, velvety finish, select high-fat content cream for ultimate richness.

• Old Bay Seasoning: Delivers classic seafood flavor profile.

Tools That Help You Build Shrimp Corn Bisque

• Large pot: Essential for cooking vegetables, creating the bisque base, and simmering the soup.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping onions, celery, red bell pepper, garlic, and parsley.
• Sharp knife: Perfect for precise vegetable and herb chopping.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients during cooking.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately add seasonings and flour.
• Measuring cups: Useful for measuring broth, wine, and cream.
• Strainer: Optional tool for making shrimp stock, if using shrimp shells.
• Ladle: Helps serve the bisque into bowls smoothly.

Cooking Instructions for Shrimp and Corn Bisque

• Craft Your Flavor Base

Start by sizzling onions, celery, and red bell peppers in melted butter. Let them dance and soften, releasing their aromatic. Toss in garlic and let the kitchen fill with an irresistible fragrance.

• Build a Silky Foundation

Dust your veggie mixture with flour, stirring carefully to create a golden roux. Pour in broth and wine, allowing the liquid to weave together and thicken into a luxurious blanket of flavor.

• Introduce Ocean and Harvest Treasures

Add corn kernels and seasonings to your simmering pot. Let the ingredients mingle and whisper their delicious secrets. Sprinkle in Old Bay and smoked paprika for a bold, exciting punch.

• Final Flourish

Drizzle heavy cream into the bubbling mixture. Gently fold in succulent shrimp, watching them transform from translucent to blush pink. Cook just until they curl and become tender.

• Serve with Flair

Ladle the creamy bisque into warm bowls. Shower with fresh parsley for a bright, herbal kiss. Pair with crusty bread or a crisp salad for a complete, soul-warming meal.

Variations for Spices or Sweetness in Bisque

• Create a richer flavor base by simmering shrimp shells in water, which intensifies the seafood essence without extra effort.
• Chop shrimp into smaller pieces to ensure even cooking and distribute protein perfectly throughout the bisque.
• Replace flour with arrowroot powder or xanthan gum for a gluten-free thickening option that maintains creamy consistency.
• Experiment with different heat levels by adjusting cayenne pepper or adding jalapeños for a personalized kick that suits your taste preferences.
• Swap heavy cream with coconut milk for a dairy-free version that still delivers a luxurious, velvety texture and complements the seafood beautifully.

Serving Tips for This Seafood Soup

• Rustic Bread Dunking Delight: Grab a warm, crusty baguette or sourdough slice to soak up every delicious drop of this creamy bisque. The bread's crispy exterior and soft interior perfectly complement the rich, velvety texture of the shrimp and corn soup.
• Salad Sidekick Symphony: Pair the bisque with a light, zesty arugula salad dressed in a lemon vinaigrette. The peppery greens and bright citrus notes will cut through the soup's richness, creating a balanced and refreshing meal experience.
• Seafood Feast Finale: Transform this bisque into a stunning starter for a coastal-inspired dinner party. Serve in elegant small bowls as an appetizer before a main course of grilled fish or seafood, letting the flavors build excitement for the upcoming dishes.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Complement the bisque's creamy texture and seafood notes with a crisp, chilled white wine like a Sauvignon Blanc or unoaked Chardonnay. The wine's acidity will enhance the soup's delicate flavors and provide a sophisticated touch to your dining experience.

Bisque Storage That Preserves Texture and Taste

• Store leftover bisque in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Cool the soup completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Transfer cooled bisque to freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch space for expansion. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently to maintain creamy texture.
• Warm bisque slowly on stovetop over low-medium heat, stirring frequently. Add a splash of broth or cream if the soup seems too thick. Avoid boiling to prevent separation of cream and potential rubbery shrimp texture.
• Double the recipe and portion out servings for quick meals. Label containers with date and contents. Separate cream-based portions from other ingredients if planning extended storage to maintain optimal quality and prevent texture breakdown.

FAQs

• What is bisque and how is it different from a regular soup?

Bisque is a smooth, creamy French soup traditionally made with shellfish, characterized by its rich, velvety texture. Unlike regular soups, bisque is typically strained to create a silky consistency and often includes cream and seafood as key ingredients.

• Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes, frozen shrimp works perfectly. Just thaw them completely before adding to the bisque, and ensure they are peeled and deveined to save preparation time.

• Is Old Bay seasoning necessary for the recipe?

While Old Bay adds a classic seafood flavor, you can substitute it with a blend of paprika, celery salt, and black pepper if you don’t have it on hand. The seasoning helps enhance the overall taste of the bisque.

• How spicy is this bisque with the cayenne pepper?

The cayenne pepper adds a subtle heat that can be easily adjusted. Use just a pinch for a mild warmth, or increase to taste if you prefer a spicier bisque. You can also omit it completely for a milder version.

Creamy Shrimp And Corn Bisque Recipe

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4.8 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Creamy Shrimp and Corn Bisque showcases Southern coastal comfort in a single bowl. Rich seafood flavors blend with sweet corn, creating a luxurious experience you cannot resist exploring.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb (450g) shrimp, peeled, deveined, and chopped (reserve shells for stock)
• 2 cups (320g) corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
• 4 tbsps butter, divided
• 4 cups (960 ml) seafood or chicken broth
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
• 1 small onion, diced
• ¼ cup (30g) all-purpose flour
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ cup (120 ml) dry white wine (optional)
• 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsps chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Stock Creation: Extract intense oceanic flavors by simmering shrimp shells in water for 10-15 minutes, then strain and preserve the aromatic liquid.
2. Vegetable Sauté: Melt butter in a large pot, introduce diced onion, celery, and red bell pepper, allowing them to caramelize and release their complex aromatics for 5-7 minutes.
3. Flavor Foundation: Add minced garlic and briefly toast, then dust vegetables with flour, stirring meticulously to create a uniform roux, eliminating raw flour undertones.
4. Liquid Integration: Gradually pour seafood or chicken broth, blending prepared shrimp stock and white wine, whisking to develop a smooth, harmonious base that will simmer and concentrate flavors.
5. Seasoning and Enhancement: Incorporate corn kernels, Old Bay seasoning, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper, allowing ingredients to marry and intensify their collective essence.
6. Cream and Protein Finale: Stream heavy cream into the bisque, then gently add shrimp, cooking until seafood transitions to a delicate pink and reaches perfect tenderness.
7. Presentation: Ladle the luxurious bisque into warmed serving vessels, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve alongside crusty artisan bread or a vibrant side salad.

Notes

Optimize Shrimp Stock: Extract maximum flavor by crushing shrimp shells before simmering, intensifying the seafood base’s depth and richness.

Prevent Cream Curdling: Temper heavy cream by gradually warming it and maintaining a low, gentle heat to prevent separation and ensure a smooth, silky texture.

Control Spice Levels: Adjust cayenne and Old Bay seasoning incrementally, tasting as you go to customize heat and maintain a balanced flavor profile without overwhelming the delicate shrimp.

Enhance Texture Variation: Consider adding crispy bacon bits or toasted cornbread croutons as a garnish to introduce a contrasting crunch against the bisque’s creamy consistency.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 420
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 27g
• Saturated Fat: 15g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 16g
• Cholesterol: 150mg