Recipe

Quick Lobster Bisque

A cozy, weeknight-friendly bisque with smoky paprika, a gentle kick, and big lobster flavor without the restaurant-level fuss.

By Matt Campbell

•

4.8

A bowl of creamy lobster bisque with a swirl of cream, pieces of lobster, and a sprinkle of smoked paprika on a wooden table

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Lobster bisque has a reputation. Fancy. Fussy. The kind of soup you order in a sweater you cannot spill on.

This version is for real life. It is quick, cozy, and bold, with a smoky backbone from smoked paprika and a little heat that wakes everything up. Most of the time is just chopping, then we build flavor fast with sautéed aromatics, tomato paste, and a splash of something boozy (optional but highly recommended). Then we blend it silky, fold in lobster at the end, and call it a very good decision.

If you can chop an onion and keep an eye on a simmer, you can make this. And yes, tasting as you go is not only allowed, it is encouraged.

A pot on the stove with bisque base simmering, showing onions and tomato paste being stirred with a wooden spoon

Why It Works

Smoky and spicy, not harsh: Smoked paprika brings campfire vibes without needing a smoker, and cayenne gives you heat you can control.
Fast flavor layering: Tomato paste gets toasted for depth, then deglazed to pull up every browned bit.
Silky texture without drama: A quick blend plus a little cream makes it feel restaurant-level, even if you are wearing sweatpants.
Lobster stays tender: We add lobster at the end so it warms through instead of turning rubbery.

Yield: Makes about 4 to 5 cups, depending on how much you blend and reduce.

Pairs Well With

Storage Tips

Refrigerate: Cool the bisque quickly, then store in an airtight container for up to 2 to 3 days (follow your food-safety standards, and when in doubt, choose the shorter end for seafood).

Reheat gently: Warm over low heat, stirring often. Avoid a hard boil or the cream can separate and the lobster can toughen.

Freeze (best if you plan ahead): If you want to freeze, freeze the blended base before adding cream and lobster for the smoothest texture. Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, reheat gently, then stir in cream and warm lobster at the end.

Common Questions

Can I make this without lobster shells?

Yes. Shells add extra depth, but this recipe is designed to taste great with seafood stock plus tomato paste, aromatics, and smoked paprika. If you have shells, simmer them in the stock for 10 to 15 minutes for a quick upgrade, then strain and use the stock in the recipe.

What kind of lobster should I buy?

For speed, use pre-cooked lobster meat (often sold as knuckle and claw meat). If you are cooking tails, a helpful rule of thumb is about 3 to 4 medium tails to get roughly 12 to 16 ounces cooked meat (varies by size).

How spicy is “spicy”?

With the amounts below it is a medium, warm heat. For mild, cut cayenne in half. For extra, add more cayenne or a few dashes of hot sauce at the end.

Can I use milk instead of heavy cream?

You can, but it will be lighter and a bit less luxurious. If using milk or half-and-half, keep the heat low and do not boil. A tablespoon of butter at the end helps bring back some richness.

What can I use instead of sherry or wine?

No problem. Skip it and deglaze with a splash of extra stock (or even a little water), then finish with an extra squeeze of lemon at the end to brighten things up.

How do I make it extra smooth?

Blend thoroughly, then strain through a fine-mesh sieve. It is optional, but it makes the bisque feel very fancy with almost no extra effort.

Matt Campbell

I have always had a huge passion for the culinary arts, people, working as a team, and so on. I wanted to pursue my love for cooking initially at Virginia Commonwealth University with a culinary arts degree; however, I instead decided to apply myself and acquire more practical skills. My end goal is to eventually open my own restaurant or similar establishment.

Kitchen Essentials

Large pot or Dutch oven
Cutting board and knife
Wooden spoon or spatula
Immersion blender (or countertop blender)
Fine-mesh sieve (optional for ultra-smooth bisque)
Measuring cups and spoons

The first time I tried to make lobster bisque at home, I treated it like a final exam. I was hunting shells, reducing for hours, stressing over texture, and somehow still ended up with soup that tasted like it needed a pep talk.

This version is the one I actually make now, because it respects the weeknight. It is smoky, a little spicy, and wildly comforting. The kind of bowl you eat standing at the stove, then immediately pour a second bowl like nobody saw you do it.

Quick Lobster Bisque

(4.8 Reviews)

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

Servings 4

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 ribs celery, finely chopped
1 medium carrot, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika, plus more for serving
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (to taste)
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 teaspoon fresh)
1/4 cup dry sherry (dry, not sweet) or dry white wine (optional but great)
3 cups seafood stock (or chicken stock in a pinch)
1 bay leaf
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt to start, plus more to taste (stock saltiness varies)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup heavy cream
12 to 16 ounces cooked lobster meat, chopped into bite-size pieces (12 oz is plenty, 16 oz is extra-lux)
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, plus more to taste
Optional for serving: chopped chives or parsley, hot sauce, oyster crackers, extra swirl of cream

Instructions

Sauté the flavor base. In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter with the olive oil. Add onion, celery, and carrot. Cook 6 to 8 minutes, stirring often, until softened and just starting to turn golden at the edges. You want cozy sweetness, not aggressive browning.
Add garlic and toast the tomato paste. Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds. Add tomato paste, smoked paprika, cayenne, and thyme. Cook 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the tomato paste darkens slightly and smells sweet and savory. If anything starts to stick, lower the heat and keep stirring. Smoked paprika can scorch if left alone.
Deglaze. Pour in the sherry or wine (if using) and scrape up any browned bits. Simmer 1 minute.
Simmer. Add stock, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook 10 to 12 minutes.
Blend until smooth. Remove the bay leaf. Use an immersion blender to blend the soup until silky.
If using a countertop blender: Blend in batches, fill the blender no more than halfway, and vent the lid to let steam escape.
Optional: Strain through a fine-mesh sieve back into the pot for a super smooth bisque.
Add cream, then lobster. Reduce heat to low. Stir in heavy cream and warm gently for about 2 minutes. Do not boil. Add lobster meat and warm 2 to 3 minutes more, just until heated through.
Finish and serve. Stir in lemon juice. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, cayenne, and lemon. Serve hot with a swirl of cream and a pinch of smoked paprika on top.

Nutrition information is estimated.

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