Ina Garten Lobster Bisque Recipe for Elegant Dinners

Luxurious lobster bisque transforms ordinary dinners into extraordinary culinary adventures, beckoning food lovers with its maritime charm.

Silky smooth and bursting with oceanic essence, this French-inspired delicacy dances between decadence and comfort.

Shellfish whispers tales of coastal elegance through each velvety spoonful.

Aromatic herbs and tender lobster meat intertwine, creating a symphonic blend of rich, complex flavors.

Creamy textures embrace delicate seasonings, elevating this classic soup from simple fare to gourmet masterpiece.

Professional chefs and passionate home cooks alike revere this timeless recipe as a testament to seafood’s sublime potential.

Let your taste buds embark on a sensational journey that promises to redefine your relationship with soup.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 320 kcal

Servings: 4

Ina Garten’s Lobster Bisque Ingredient Rundown

• Onion: Select firm, glossy bulbs without soft spots for maximum flavor.
• Carrots: Choose bright orange, crisp carrots with smooth skin.
• Celery: Pick sturdy stalks with vibrant green color and no wilting.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Use freshly ground pepper for robust taste.
• Garlic: Select plump cloves without green sprouts for sweet intensity.
• Tomato Paste: Opt for rich, deep red paste with concentrated flavor.
• All-Purpose Flour: Ensure fresh, lump-free flour for smooth texture.

• Seafood Stock: Select high-quality, low-sodium stock for clean oceanic essence.
• White Wine: Choose dry varieties like Sauvignon Blanc for bright undertones.
• Bay Leaf, Fresh Thyme: Seek fragrant, vibrant herbs from reliable sources.
• Heavy Cream: Pick full-fat cream for luxurious, silky consistency.
• Lobster Meat: Use freshly cooked, sweet meat for authentic maritime richness.

• Fresh Chives: Select bright green, crisp herbs with sharp aroma.
• Crusty Bread: Choose artisan-style bread with hearty, rustic crust.

Tools to Simmer Creamy Lobster Bisque

• Large Pot: Spacious, heavy-bottomed vessel for sautéing vegetables and creating soup base.
• Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for chopping onions, carrots, and celery.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp tool for precise vegetable dicing.
• Measuring Spoons: Accurate measuring for salt, pepper, and flour.
• Wooden Spoon: Perfect for stirring and mixing ingredients.
• Immersion Blender: Handheld device for pureeing soup directly in the pot.
• Standard Blender (alternative): Backup option for creating smooth texture.
• Ladle: Helpful for serving bisque into individual bowls.
• Measuring Cups: Precise measuring for stock and wine.
• Garlic Press: Convenient tool for mincing garlic cloves.
• Serving Bowls: Elegant dishes for presenting the finished bisque.

How to Cook Ina’s Lobster Bisque from Scratch

• Kickstart Flavor Foundations

Melt butter in a large pot and toss in finely chopped onions, carrots, and celery. Dance these vegetables around the pan until they transform into soft, translucent delights, releasing their aromatic magic.

• Layer Depth and Complexity

Sprinkle in garlic, salt, pepper, and a dollop of tomato paste. Dust the mixture with flour, stirring to create a rich, velvety base that promises incredible depth of flavor.

• Unleash Liquid Magic

Pour in seafood stock and white wine with a gentle splash. Tuck in a bay leaf and fresh thyme sprigs, letting the liquid simmer and mingle for half an hour, developing a symphony of oceanic flavors.

• Transform Texture

Pluck out the herbs and transform the soup into silky smoothness using an immersion blender. Whirl until the mixture becomes a luxurious, creamy canvas.

• Final Flourish

Introduce heavy cream and tender lobster meat, warming them gently to preserve their delicate essence. Let the bisque embrace these final touches with subtle heat.

• Serve with Elegance

Ladle the bisque into waiting bowls, crown with a sprinkle of fresh chives, and present alongside crusty bread for a moment of pure culinary bliss.

Bisque Tips for Smooth Texture

• Elevate Seafood Selection: Swap lobster with crab, shrimp, or scallops for a personalized seafood experience that matches your taste preferences and local market availability.
• Control Consistency Carefully: Adjust soup thickness by adding more stock for a lighter texture or extra cream for a richer, more decadent bisque that coats your spoon perfectly.
• Boost Herbal Complexity: Experiment with fresh herbs like tarragon or dill to introduce unexpected flavor dimensions that complement the delicate seafood base.
• Create Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the bisque base up to two days in advance, storing in the refrigerator and adding fresh seafood just before serving to maintain peak texture and freshness.

How to Serve Lobster Bisque Elegantly

• Elevate with Bread Pairing: Serve alongside toasted sourdough or rustic French baguette slices to soak up the rich, creamy bisque and add delightful texture.
• Garnish with Elegance: Sprinkle fresh chives or finely chopped parsley on top for a pop of color and subtle herbal freshness that complements the seafood's delicate flavor.
• Wine Companion Selection: Match this luxurious bisque with a crisp Chardonnay or unoaked white wine to enhance the creamy seafood notes and balance the dish's richness.
• Presentation Pro Tip: Use white ceramic bowls to showcase the bisque's beautiful coral color and create a restaurant-worthy presentation that impresses dinner guests.

Storing Lobster Bisque for Leftovers

• Preserve Peak Freshness: Store leftover lobster bisque in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Dairy-based soups separate easily, so gently reheat on low temperature while stirring frequently.
• Freeze Smart Strategy: Pack cooled bisque into freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch space at top. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before rewarming slowly to maintain creamy texture.
• Meal Prep Magic: Prepare soup base ahead of time and add cream and lobster meat just before serving to maintain optimal flavor and prevent separation. Keep seafood stock and cooked lobster meat separately in refrigerator for quick assembly.
• Serving Suggestion Hack: Portion bisque into individual containers for easy grab-and-go lunches. Pack garnishes like chives separately to keep them crisp. Warm soup at work or home for a restaurant-quality meal in minutes.

Luxurious Lobster Bisque Recipe

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4.5 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Rich, creamy Ina Garten lobster bisque combines luxurious seafood with delicate herbs and spices for an elegant coastal dining experience. Gourmet New England flavors shine through this velvety soup, inviting you to savor each indulgent spoonful.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb (454 g) lobster meat, cooked and chopped
• 4 cups (946 ml) seafood or fish stock
• 1 ¼ cups (296 ml) dry white wine
• 4 tbsps butter
• ½ cup (118 ml) heavy cream
• 2 tbsps tomato paste
• 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled and finely chopped
• 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bay leaf
• 3 sprigs fresh thyme
• kosher salt
• freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Butter Foundation: Melt butter in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat until golden and aromatic, creating a flavorful base for the bisque.
2. Vegetable Sauté: Add diced onions, carrots, and celery, cooking until softened and translucent, releasing their sweet, earthy essences into the butter.
3. Flavor Layering: Introduce garlic, tomato paste, salt, and pepper, stirring to develop a rich, complex flavor profile that will serve as the bisque’s aromatic backbone.
4. Roux Creation: Sprinkle flour over the vegetable mixture, stirring meticulously to form a smooth, pale roux that will provide body and thickness to the soup.
5. Liquid Harmony: Slowly stream in seafood stock and white wine, whisking continuously to create a seamless, lump-free liquid foundation while incorporating the roux.
6. Herbal Infusion: Nestle bay leaf and thyme sprigs into the simmering liquid, allowing them to impart their subtle, earthy notes during a gentle 25-35 minute reduction.
7. Silky Transformation: Discard herb stems, then purée the mixture in a blender until achieving a luxuriously smooth, uniform consistency.
8. Cream and Lobster Finale: Return the puréed bisque to the pot, gently folding in heavy cream and tender lobster meat, heating carefully to preserve the seafood’s delicate texture.
9. Serving Flourish: Ladle the velvety bisque into warm bowls, crowning each portion with a sprinkle of freshly chopped chives for a vibrant, aromatic finish.

Notes

• Choose Quality Seafood: Select fresh, high-quality lobster meat for the most authentic and rich flavor profile.
• Prevent Roux Lumps: Whisk flour constantly and add liquids gradually to create a smooth, lump-free base for the bisque.
• Control Cooking Temperature: Maintain a gentle simmer to develop deep flavors without burning the delicate ingredients.
• Avoid Overheating Lobster: Warm the meat carefully to prevent toughening, ensuring tender, succulent chunks in the final dish.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 14 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg