Easy Cajun Crawfish Bisque Recipe
on May 24, 2022
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Succulent pieces of crawfish meat are served in a creamy, satisfying soup that’s sure to satisfy your Cajun cravings. Packed with flavor and a bit of a spicy kick, this Crawfish Bisque is a dish you’ll come back to, time and time again.
For lovers of Cajun food, this crawfish bisque is sure to hit the spot. Enjoy it on its own or as an appetizer for a Southern-inspired entree.
What is a Bisque?
A bisque is a French seafood soup that tends to be thick, creamy and smooth in texture. It’s traditionally made with lobster, but other shellfish can be used. Because Cajun cooking is inspired by French cuisine, it’s no surprise that folks in Louisiana soon began using crawfish to make bisque.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- crawfish tail meat
- olive oil
- butter
- flour
- heavy cream
- creamed corn
- Cajun seasoning
- Old bay seasoning
- cayenne pepper
- green onions
- salt and pepper
How to Make Cajun Crawfish Bisque
Step 1: Make the Bisque
- Add 1/2 cup butter to a large pot over medium heat.
- Once melted, add onions. Sauté until soft.
- Add flour and stir until the flour is completely incorporated.
- Add heavy cream, corn, Cajun seasoning, Old bay seasoning, cayenne pepper, green onion, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Lower the heat and simmer for about 40 minutes, stirring frequently.
Step 2: Cook the Crawfish Meat and Mix with the Bisque
- Add oil to a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add garlic and sauté for about 1 minute or until fragrant.
- Add crawfish meat and sauté for about 2-3 minutes until the crawfish meat is cooked through.
- Mix the crawfish meat into the bisque and pour into individual serving bowls. Enjoy!
Tips for the Best Crawfish Bisque
- Remove the crawfish shells before cooking: You want tender pieces of crawfish meat in your seafood bisque. Be sure to remove the shells before cooking.
- You can make the soup ahead of time: This bisque is perfect for making ahead of time or for enjoying leftovers. Just heat it up in the microwave or on the stovetop when you’re ready to eat.
- Don’t overcook crawfish: Like other shellfish, crawfish meat tends to cook very quickly. Keep a close watch on the pot to ensure you don’t overcook it.
What’s the Difference Between Bisque and Etouffee?
Crawfish Bisque and Etouffee are both delicious Cajun meals that are satisfying and full of flavor. The difference is that étouffée is usually much thicker and tends to be more of a stew than a soup. Étouffée will have large, chunky pieces of vegetables, while a bisque has a smooth, creamy texture.
How to Thicken Crawfish Bisque?
Crawfish bisque is known for its thick, creamy texture. If your soup isn’t as thick as you’d like, there are a few ways to fix it. Starches like flour and cornstarch are an easy way to thicken any soup. Just stir in a teaspoon at a time until your bisque is thick enough.
How Long Does Crawfish Bisque Last?
Seafood dishes can spoil very quickly, so any leftover bisque must be refrigerated as soon as possible. Try to consume your crawfish bisque within four days to avoid possibly getting sick.
What to Serve with Crawfish Bisque?
Crawfish bisque is delicious when paired with freshly toasted bread or classic southern cornbread or biscuits. Hearty salads, roast potatoes or sandwiches make this soup a complete meal. Crawfish bisque also serves as a tantalizing appetizer for any entree.
Other Seafood that You Can Add to This Crawfish Bisque
- Shrimp: Use fresh or frozen shrimp. If using jumbo shrimp, you may want to cut them into smaller pieces.
- Scallops: Known as poor man’s lobster, scallops have a tender, buttery texture that makes it a delicious addition to a seafood bisque.
- Crab: Succulent pieces of crab meat can take this bisque to the next level
- Lobster: To make it a more traditional bisque, add tender pieces of lobster tail meat to this soup.
Easy Crawfish Bisque Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb crawfish tail meat
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 2 ½ cups heavy cream
- 5 oz creamed corn
- 1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon Old bay seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 green onions, chopped
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
For the Bisque
- Add 1/2 cup butter to a large pot over medium heat.
- Once melted, add onions. Sauté until soft.
- Add flour and stir until the flour is completely incorporated.
- Add heavy cream, corn, Cajun seasoning, Old bay seasoning, cayenne pepper, green onion, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Lower the heat and simmer for about 40 minutes, stirring frequently.
For the Crawfish Meat
- Add oil to a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add garlic and sauté for about 1 minute or until fragrant.
- Add crawfish meat and sauté for about 2-3 minutes until the crawfish meat is cooked through.
To Serve Crawfish Bisque
- Mix the crawfish meat into the bisque and pour into individual serving bowls. Enjoy!
Nutrition information provided is an estimate only and will vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods used.
