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    You are here: Home / Special Diets / Pescatarian / Lobster Bisque

    Lobster Bisque

    27 January 2020 - By Michelle Minnaar
    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Facebook3TweetPin181Yummly1Shares185
    Jump to Recipe
    Lobster Bisque in a bowl with fresh lobsdter

    One of my favourite French recipes is a lobster bisque. A simple recipe, yet packed with complex flavours, a lobster bisque is a fine choice when you are looking to cook to impress.

    Although cooking with lobster might sound expensive, you don’t necessarily have to have such a large budget for completing this recipe. You can easily use a frozen lobster. Better yet, you can also substitute the lobster with shrimp or prawns. Both ingredients work very well.

    Nevertheless, this lobster bisque is divine. Serve it with some cooked lobster meat, a baguette and a beautiful glass of mature white wine or rose wine. So, what are you waiting for?

    Come and learn how to make this easy lobster bisque recipe. Have fun.

    products you need for this recipe

    Here is a list of the top things you will need to complete this lobster bisque recipe. Take a look below and see which items you are still missing:
    • bisque deep pot – use a trusted French signature brand for this bisque recipe
    • seafood cracker set – this seafood set will enable you to prepare the lobster properly for this lobster bisque recipe
    • tomato paste – you can never have enough tomato paste in your kitchen cupboard (I run out all the time and I find out too late)
    • fresh lobster meat – if you are not so keen on preparing the lobster for this lobster bisque, you can order some cleaned lobster flesh for convenience
    • lobster tails – similarly, you can also order lobster tails (especially if you can’t find any lobster in your nearby supermarket)

    lobster bisque recipe

    In total, this lobster bisque recipe will take you one hour and fifteen minutes to prepare and cook. This is indeed a quick and easy bisque recipe, bearing in mind that in France, sometimes, bisques are known to cook for hours to extract the maximum amount of flavour possible.

    In any event, this elegant and refined recipe will only take a little over an hour to complete.

    For those of you who are trying to cut down on your meat consumption, cooking pescatarian recipes like this one is a great way to start your journey towards a healthier lifestyle.

    That being said, lobster is a nutritious and delicious ingredient with which you can cook up some excellent recipes.

    For instance, check out these incredible recipes I’ve made with lobster:

    • lobster gratin – a creamy gratin recipe with chunks of cooked lobster
    • lobster rolls – a beautiful starter recipe with a creamy lobster salad filling
    • and lastly lobster benedict – for a five-star gourmet-style breakfast to impress the likes of anyone

    As you can see, lobster isn’t just about its meat. It brings a certain richness and enhances a dish with complex flavours. Do you have a favourite lobster dish in mind?

    If you haven’t tried lobster, then this lobster bisque is the prefect dish to turn you into a lobster lover.

    lobster bisque from shells

    There are quite a few ingredients which you will need to complete this lobster bisque recipe. However, the main ingredient from which you will need to extract the most flavour is the lobster shells.

    This lobster bisque recipe calls for the shells of two lobsters. The shells of one lobster wouldn’t complete this recipe. You will need to procure two for this reason.

    That being said, as mentioned above, you can use one lobster to make another delicious lobster recipe. Just don’t throw away the shells as they can be used in a sustainable way in a bisque or a seafood broth.

    Once you’ve prepared your lobsters and taken out all the flesh, you will need to pan fry the shells. The caramelisation of the shells will release an intense seafood flavour as well as all those irresistible aromas.

    Handy tip: Don’t crowd the lobster shells when you are frying them. If you crowd them, they will not caramelise and brown properly. If you spear them out, they will start releasing their flavours.

    Again, please don’t forget to store the shells for this step. Don’t throw them away as it would be an incredible waste.

    lobster bisque with sherry

    One ingredient that ties everything together in this lobster bisque recipe is the addition of sherry. Don’t worry about the alcohol, it will cook off eventually.

    Sherry is a fortified wine, which originates from Jerez de la Frontera, in Spain. Mostly, it is consumed as a digestive or an aperitif. However, chefs have discovered its multiple benefits as regards culinary applications.

    As a result, sherry has been a component of many sauces. In short, it intensifies the flavours in a sauce by fusing all the flavours together, which is why I often prefer to add sherry when I’m making sauce. For instance, sherry can be added into these recipes:

    • pork fillet with orange and sherry sauce
    • creamy mushroom and sherry sauce
    • mussels with leeks, sherry and cream

    You can also add sherry to intensify the flavour of a dessert.

    Handy tip: There are multiple types of sherry. As sherry matures, the flavour and colour changes. Hence, it is essential that you select the right type of sherry for this lobster bisque.

    I recommend going for the Fino sherry or the Manzanilla sherry. These two pair exceptionally well with seafood (especially white fish).

    how to cook bisque?

    There is one pivotal step in cooking bisques like this lobster bisque recipe. If you do this step wrong, all your preparation efforts will have gone to waste.

    This involves the addition of cream. Make sure to add the cream on really low heat. Otherwise, you risk that the lobster bisque will split.

    My recommendation would be to take the bisque off for 3-5 minutes and allow it to cool down. Only then add the cream in slowly and stir.

    best bisque toppings

    The best toppings for this lobster bisque are:

    • cream or creme fraiche
    • cooked lobster meat (crab also works)
    • you can also pan sear some scallops and toss them into the lobster bisque
    • fresh herbs like parsley, watercress or valeriana salad

    Remember to serve the bisque with a piece of fresh bread or baguette.

    For a posh smoked salmon starter, check out salmon terrine.

    How would you serve your lobster bisque? Would you add some cooked lobster inside? Let me know in the comments below.

    Print
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    Bowl of lobster bisque and a loaf of brown bread

    Lobster Bisque


    ★★★★★

    4.9 from 8 reviews

    • Author: Michelle Minnaar
    • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
    • Yield: 4 portions 1x
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    Learn how to make this classic French lobster bisque recipe from scratch. A perfect starter. Find out how to make the most of lobster shells!


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 60ml (4 tbsp) butter
    • 1 onion, peeled and chopped
    • 2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
    • 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
    • 2 celery stalks, washed and chopped
    • lobster shells from 2 lobsters 
    • 30ml (2 tbsp) tomato paste
    • 3 thyme sprigs
    • 1 bay leaf
    • 400ml (1½ cup) white wine
    • 1ℓ (4 cups) seafood or fish stock
    • 125ml (½ cup) double cream
    • 450g (1lb) cooked lobster meat
    • 60ml (4 tbsp) parsley, washed and finely chopped

    Instructions

    1. Melt the butter in a large saucepan.
    2. Gently fry the onion, garlic, celery and carrot and cook until softened, which takes about 5 minutes.
    3. Turn up the heat, tip in the lobster shells and stir vigorously for 2 minutes.
    4. Pour in the wine, giving it a stir then let it bubble until the liquid has halved.  
    5. Stir in tomato paste, thyme and bay leaf, then pour in the stock.  
    6. Let the soup simmer slowly for 30 minutes, allowing the flavours to infuse. 
    7. Tip the contents into a powerful food processor and blend until the shell pieces are tiny. 
    8. Cover a big bowl with a large piece of muslin. 
    9. Pour the contents into the muslin, then squeeze out every last drop out of the shell mixture and discard the leftovers. You will now be left with a smooth soup.
    10. Return the soup to a saucepan and add the cream and lobster meat. Let the soup heat through, then divide it between 4 bowls. 
    11. Sprinkle parsley on top and serve immediately with fresh, crusty bread. Enjoy!

    Notes

    • If you’re struggling to get hold of any bay leaves, feel free to use any of these bay leaf substitutes instead.
    • Prep Time: 30 minutes
    • Cook Time: 45 minutes
    • Category: Soup
    • Method: Boil
    • Cuisine: French

    Keywords: lobster bisque recipe, lobster bisque from shells, french lobster recipe, french soup recipe

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @greedygourmet on Instagram and hashtag it #greedygourmet

    More Pescatarian

    • Thai Shrimp Cakes
    • Pan Fried Haddock with Tomatoes, Olives and Capers
    • Prawn Puri
    • Parmesan Baked Cod
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kim Neville

      January 28, 2020 at 7:41 pm

      I like to have with potato salad

      Reply
    2. melanie stirling

      January 28, 2020 at 8:55 pm

      Lobster Thermidor, I didn’t try it until recently but it was my dad’s favourite so I decided to and it was delicious.

      Reply
    3. Solange

      January 28, 2020 at 9:19 pm

      I enjoy steamed lobster with a side of clarified butter for dipping.

      Reply
    4. cheryl hadfield

      January 29, 2020 at 10:35 pm

      I enjoy Lobster with salad and cous cous

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    5. Andrea Upton

      February 02, 2020 at 8:51 pm

      Lobster isn’t something I eat very often, but I once had this amazing lobster dish in a restaurant in Hong Kong which had cheese sauce in it, really delicious

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    6. Jane Willis

      February 03, 2020 at 3:26 pm

      I love a lobster salad, especially if there are a few slices of fresh mango on it.

      ★★★★

      Reply
    7. Elaine Fitzpatrick

      February 03, 2020 at 7:19 pm

      This makes a posh succulent dish so easy to make

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    8. Laura banks

      February 20, 2020 at 11:22 am

      my hubby made a sweetcorn and lobster soup that was very nice

      Reply
    9. Victoria Prince

      February 20, 2020 at 4:28 pm

      Lobster Thermidor – though I’d love to try more ways. Not something I am lucky enough to get to eat often!

      Reply
    10. Sheena Batey

      February 22, 2020 at 9:48 pm

      Lobster Thermidor absolutely delicious

      Reply
    11. Sheri Darby

      February 22, 2020 at 10:52 pm

      I have never had lobster

      Reply
    12. Kristie Metcalfe

      February 23, 2020 at 7:54 am

      I love enjoying lobster with a 6oz fillet steak. Bit of garlic butter on both and mwah, delicious!

      Reply
    13. claire woods

      February 23, 2020 at 8:39 am

      I’ve never tried lobster.

      Reply
    14. cat

      February 23, 2020 at 12:32 pm

      Just plain served with a salad and some great mayonnaise

      Reply
    15. Adrian Bold

      February 23, 2020 at 12:42 pm

      I enjoy grilled lobster tails with lemon & herb butter.

      Reply
    16. Iain maciver

      February 23, 2020 at 12:43 pm

      Lobster Thermidor

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    17. Nixxy

      February 23, 2020 at 1:03 pm

      Straight out of the sea after a dive, lightly BBQ in the shell and a bit of lemon juice.

      Reply
    18. Elizm

      February 23, 2020 at 1:13 pm

      in a restaurant! I love it but I can’t cook it. Whichever the very buttery garlicky recipe is…that one!

      Reply
    19. Mel Pennie

      February 23, 2020 at 2:11 pm

      Never eaten lobster 🦞 but would love to try some eventually

      Reply
    20. Mark R

      February 23, 2020 at 4:12 pm

      Lobster is something I’ve not tried as yet.

      Reply
    21. Emily Hutchinson

      February 23, 2020 at 4:15 pm

      Cold in a roll with mayonnaise

      Reply
    22. Graham Ross

      February 23, 2020 at 4:17 pm

      Lobster Thermidor

      Reply
    23. Carole Nott

      February 23, 2020 at 4:23 pm

      Sounds good for a snack with dressed salad and crusty bread

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    24. Steve Dickinson

      February 23, 2020 at 4:35 pm

      With melted butter butter and a side salad

      Reply
    25. Suzanne

      February 23, 2020 at 5:03 pm

      Lobster bisque

      Reply
    26. pete c

      February 23, 2020 at 5:09 pm

      I’ve never tried it fresh or frozen as always been put off by seeing them in tanks in restaurants!

      Reply
    27. Mandy Betts

      February 23, 2020 at 5:35 pm

      As part of surf n turf

      Reply
    28. Heather Haigh

      February 23, 2020 at 7:31 pm

      I’ve never eaten Lobster, but I would like to.

      Reply
    29. Mark Mccaffery

      February 23, 2020 at 8:15 pm

      My favourite way is in a Lobster Scampi With Linguini.

      Reply
    30. fiona waterworth

      February 23, 2020 at 9:19 pm

      I have never tried lobster, because I dont know how to cook it, and being expensive did not want to waste it

      Reply
    31. Sarah Mccaffery.

      February 23, 2020 at 10:14 pm

      My favourite dish is a spicy lobster pasta

      Reply
    32. Margaret Mccaffery

      February 23, 2020 at 11:33 pm

      I enjoy lobster in a Lobster, green bean & radicchio salad Lobster, green bean & radicchio salad

      Reply
    33. ROBERT MCINTOSH

      February 24, 2020 at 10:01 am

      with avocado, walnutsin a mayo salad

      Reply
    34. debbie miller

      February 24, 2020 at 11:46 am

      Great selection of dishes and can’t wait to try this one

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    35. Alexandra Armstrong

      February 24, 2020 at 11:48 am

      Cooked by someone else haha

      Reply
    36. Julie Ward

      February 24, 2020 at 2:02 pm

      I’ve never tried lobster

      Reply
    37. Kiran Parry

      February 24, 2020 at 2:44 pm

      I enjoy it with potatoes, cous cous and salad

      Reply
    38. Avs

      February 24, 2020 at 6:10 pm

      Lobster Thermidor

      Reply
    39. caroline doyle

      February 24, 2020 at 8:02 pm

      With a pot of melted butter to dip in and a pile of salad and chips – Maine lobsters are delish!

      Reply
    40. sallie burrows

      February 24, 2020 at 8:31 pm

      on holiday somewhere hot

      Reply
    41. Summer Rowley

      February 24, 2020 at 10:59 pm

      On a harbour (cornwall potentially!) with a lot of other seafood!

      Reply
    42. Desiree DeYoung

      February 25, 2020 at 5:39 am

      A lobster po boy or boiled and served with butter, salad, and fresh bread!!!^_^

      Reply
    43. Sarah Francis

      February 25, 2020 at 6:30 am

      I like my lobster from the local Chinese restaurant. They steam it with spring onions, ginger and a little soy sauce. It’s divine

      Reply
    44. Emma England

      February 25, 2020 at 9:35 am

      I’ve only tried lobster once at a restaurant and I had it with garlic butter.

      Reply
    45. JAMES HOLYLAND

      February 25, 2020 at 11:11 am

      A classic lobster bisque is my favourite

      Reply
    46. William Critchlow

      February 25, 2020 at 12:29 pm

      Lobster Thermidor

      Reply
    47. clair downham

      February 25, 2020 at 1:03 pm

      i have never tried it but probably with a salad

      Reply
    48. Maurice Haigh

      February 25, 2020 at 7:11 pm

      lobster thermiodore

      Reply
    49. Troy Easton

      February 25, 2020 at 11:36 pm

      With some Salad and Red Wine.

      Reply
    50. lynn neal

      February 26, 2020 at 9:14 am

      I have never eaten or prepared Lobster!

      Reply
    51. Sarah Heath

      February 26, 2020 at 2:51 pm

      I don’t often have lobster, but the grilled lobster in Jamaica was soooo tasty.

      Reply
    52. Angela Kelly

      February 26, 2020 at 4:19 pm

      I’ve never tried lobster!

      Reply
    53. Karen R

      February 26, 2020 at 5:23 pm

      I do love lobster thermidor xx

      Reply
    54. Caroline Shepherd

      February 26, 2020 at 6:31 pm

      A nice fresh lobster salad.

      Reply
    55. Donna W

      February 27, 2020 at 6:53 am

      The first time I tried lobster was on honeymoon in Thailand. It was simply barbequed and served with a variety of fresh salads and spicy green mango. Delicious!

      Reply
    56. Terry Becker

      February 27, 2020 at 8:49 am

      With a tomato sauce

      Reply
    57. Ruth lee

      February 27, 2020 at 10:36 am

      a lobster salad

      Reply
    58. Roxanne Warner

      February 27, 2020 at 11:26 am

      In a sandwich

      Reply
    59. Jo Nichol

      February 27, 2020 at 6:38 pm

      I have actually never tried lobster!

      Reply
    60. Ioana Cristina Popescu

      February 27, 2020 at 9:11 pm

      With a lot of lemon

      Reply
    61. Jennifer Toal

      February 28, 2020 at 7:46 am

      I’ve never tried it as always too afraid to spend lots of money then may not like it

      Reply
    62. Carolyn E

      February 28, 2020 at 10:07 am

      I like is cold with some homemade mayo.

      Reply
    63. Carolyn E

      February 28, 2020 at 10:08 am

      Poached and served cold – lovely with homemade Mayo

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    64. sharon martin

      February 28, 2020 at 11:56 am

      being totally honest, i’ve never tried lobster

      Reply
    65. Paul Meulen

      February 28, 2020 at 4:06 pm

      Strip the meat out and serve it in a salad

      Reply
    66. Herbert Appleby

      February 28, 2020 at 4:53 pm

      steamed with butter, ginger and garlic

      Reply
    67. Tracy Barber

      February 28, 2020 at 6:15 pm

      With fresh lemon and a plain salad, delicious

      Reply
    68. laura stewart

      February 28, 2020 at 6:52 pm

      never tried it before i wouldnt know

      Reply
    69. Meryl Thomas

      February 28, 2020 at 6:54 pm

      We don’t eat them as we are veggies

      Reply
    70. Angela Macdonald

      February 28, 2020 at 7:56 pm

      I love a lobster roll with garlic lemon mayonnaise

      Reply
    71. Emma Davison

      February 28, 2020 at 9:16 pm

      I have only had it once and I wasn’t keen on it.

      Reply
    72. Tammy Neal

      February 28, 2020 at 9:32 pm

      Never tried it x

      Reply
    73. Caroline Buckley

      February 28, 2020 at 9:57 pm

      I’ve never tried lobster but it’s on my bucket list!

      Reply
    74. Sue

      February 28, 2020 at 10:37 pm

      Thermidor 😋

      Reply
    75. ellie spider

      February 28, 2020 at 10:43 pm

      I’ve never actually eaten lobster so I have no idea

      Reply
    76. Hector

      April 02, 2020 at 8:50 pm

      This looks so delicious. I ordered a bunch of frozen lobster meat as a little quarantine treat (what a world we live in), so I will absolutely be making this tomorrow. Thank you!

      Reply
    77. caroline ellenburg

      September 26, 2021 at 4:27 pm

      You mention Sherry……cream Sherry or dry Sherry??? Thanks! Caroline

      Reply

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    about michelle

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