Shrimp Bisque

A bowl of creamy shrimp bisque garnished with chives and shrimp sits on a white plate with a spoon and crackers; more crackers are visible in the background.

Print Recipe

No ratings yet

This restaurant quality soup is rich with flavor and loaded with sweet shrimp!

Prep Time20

Cook Time40

Course: Soup

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Brandy, Chicken Stock, Leeks, Sherry, Shrimp

Servings:

Author: Nicole

Equipment

14-cup food processor

Ingredients

1 ½ pounds shrimp; cleaned deveined, and peel left on (if using frozen, thaw and drain)
4 cups chicken broth
7 tablespoons (3 ½-ounces) unsalted butter, divided
2 cups chopped leeks white and light green parts, about 3 small-medium sized leeks
2 shallots chopped
4 cloves garlic peeled and chopped
¼ cup Cognac or brandy
¼ cup dry sherry
¼ cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups half-and-half
¼ cup tomato paste
1 teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper plus more to taste
Cayenne pepper to taste

Garnish

A few reserved shrimp chopped into bite-size pieces
Chopped chives

Instructions

In a large pot, bring the chicken broth to a simmer. Add the shrimp and poach until the shrimp is pink, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the shrimp and transfer to a baking sheet to cool. Strain the stock; set aside. Once the shrimp is cool enough to handle, peel, discarding the shell and reserving the shrimp.(Set a few shrimp aside for garnish, if desired).
In a large pot, heat 3 tablespoons of butter over medium-low heat. Add the leeks and shallots and sauté until tender, but not browned, about 10-15 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute more. Carefully add the Cognac and cook for 1 minute. Add the sherry and cook for 3 minutes longer for the alcohol to evaporate and so that the liquid is slightly reduced. Transfer the leek mixture and the shrimp to the bowl of a large food processor. (If you don't have a large one, process in batches) Purée the mixture to desired consistency. (I process mine just short of completely smooth for a thick bisque).
In the same pot, now emptied, melt the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter over medium-low heat. Add the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Using a whisk, gradually add the half-and-half, whisking until smooth and thick, about 3 minutes. Add the strained stock, tomato paste, salt, and pepper. Gently whisk to combine. Stir in the puréed shrimp mixture and heat until hot, but not boiling. Season to taste with cayenne pepper (if using), salt and black pepper if needed. Garnish with chopped chives and reserved shrimp that have been chopped into bite-sized pieces. Enjoy!

Nutrition