Crab Bisque

This lighter version of crab bisque is still plenty rich and velvety thanks to lightly thickened half-and-half in place of the more traditional heavy cream. The crab topping with lemon and parsley makes this easy bisque company-worthy while helping to balance the flavors.

Crab Bisque
Photo: Photographer / Jen Causey, Prop Stylist / Kay Clarke, Food Stylist / Chelsea Zimmer
Active Time:
45 mins
Total Time:
45 mins
Servings:
6
Nutrition Profile:
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Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • 1 large leek, thinly sliced

  • 1 cup finely chopped celery

  • 1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted tomato paste

  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

  • 3 cups unsalted chicken broth or seafood stock

  • 2 tablespoons dry sherry

  • 2 ½ cups half-and-half

  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

  • teaspoon salt

  • 1 pound fresh lump crabmeat, drained and picked over, divided

  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Directions

  1. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat, about 1 minute. Add leek, celery and smoked paprika; cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are slightly tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomato paste; cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add flour; cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Gradually add broth (or stock) and sherry, stirring constantly and scraping the bottom of the pan to release any browned bits.

  2. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium-high heat; stir in half-and-half, cayenne and salt. Reserve 6 tablespoons crabmeat; stir the remaining crabmeat into the soup. Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through and flavors meld, about 10 minutes.

  3. Combine the reserved 6 tablespoons crabmeat in a small bowl with parsley and lemon juice. Divide the bisque among 6 bowls and top each with 1 tablespoon of the crabmeat mixture.

Originally appeared: EatingWell.com, April 2022

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

311 Calories
17g Fat
13g Carbs
24g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Serving Size 1 1/2 cups
Calories 311
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 13g 5%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 24g 48%
Total Fat 17g 22%
Saturated Fat 10g 50%
Cholesterol 130mg 43%
Vitamin A 1241IU 25%
Vitamin C 7mg 8%
Vitamin D 2IU 1%
Vitamin E 1mg 4%
Folate 33mcg 8%
Vitamin K 34mcg 28%
Sodium 480mg 21%
Calcium 199mg 15%
Iron 2mg 11%
Magnesium 19mg 5%
Potassium 281mg 6%
Zinc 1mg 9%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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