Lobster Bisque

This lobster bisque is rich, silky, and shockingly easy to make at home using fresh lobster tails from the grocery store. The shells infuse the broth with deep seafood flavor, and the naturally gluten-free base creates a velvety texture without flour.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 40

Total Time 55

Servings: 4

Course: Appetizer, Dinner, Main Course, Soup

Cuisine: American, French, Gluten-Free

Calories: 430

Ingredients Equipment Method Video Notes

Ingredients

12 oz lobster tails shells on (3-4 lobster tails)
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1 yellow onion sliced
4 stalks celery roughly chopped
3 large carrots peeled and roughly chopped
4 cloves garlic grated
1 14-oz can fire-roasted tomatoes
2 tsp The Spice Girl Kitchen French Blend see notes for swap
1 1/2 cups dry white wine
3 cups water or vegetable broth
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup heavy cream
parsley or green onion for garnish

Equipment

Dutch oven: for sautéing vegetables and simmering the bisque
Medium pot: for parboiling lobster tails
Kitchen scissors: for cutting through lobster shells
Cutting board and sharp knife: for chopping aromatics
Immersion blender: to blend the soup until smooth
liquid measuring cups for accurately measuring broth, wine, and cream
Tongs: for removing shells before blending

Method

Bring a medium pot of salted water to a gentle boil. Add the lobster tails and cook until the meat is pearly white and opaque through the thickest part, about 3 to 5 minutes for small tails; thicker tails may take longer. The shells will turn red, but check the meat for doneness rather than relying on shell color. Transfer the tails to an ice bath as soon as they’re cooked.
Remove the lobster meat from the shells and chop it into bite-sized pieces (see the blog post above for step-by-step help if you need guidance). Set the meat aside and reserve the shells.
In a Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, and carrots. Cook 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
Add the grated garlic and cook 1 minute.
Stir in the fire-roasted tomatoes, The Spice Girl Kitchen French Blend, white wine, salt, and pepper. Simmer 3 to 5 minutes until the wine has slightly reduced.
Add the water or broth along with the reserved lobster shells. Cover and simmer 20 minutes to infuse the broth with lobster flavor.
Remove the shells using tongs. Blend the soup thoroughly with an immersion blender until completely smooth. For an ultra-silky finish, strain through a fine mesh sieve if desired.
Return the bisque to low heat. Stir in the chopped lobster meat and heavy cream. Warm gently for 2 to 3 minutes without boiling.
Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot, garnished with parsley or green onion.

Video

Notes

Lobster doneness: After removing the meat from the shells, cut into the thickest part. If the center still looks gray or translucent, chop the meat and sauté it briefly in a little butter over medium heat until every piece is opaque. Set it aside to add to the bisque at the end.
About the seasoning: My French Blend is my take on herbs de Provence with a special lavender twist that adds depth to seafood dishes. If you don’t have it, you can make a quick homemade herbs de Provence by mixing equal parts dried thyme, dried rosemary, dried basil, dried oregano, and a small pinch of dried lavender (optional). Use 2 tsp of this mix in the recipe.
Gluten-free: This lobster bisque is naturally gluten-free. Be sure to confirm that your broth and wine are certified gluten-free if that is a concern for you.
Lobster tips: Parboil just until opaque to avoid rubbery lobster. Always save the shells for simmering because they add restaurant-level flavor.
Make-ahead: Cook the bisque through blending. Hold off on adding the lobster and cream until just before serving.
To lighten: Swap heavy cream for half-and-half. The texture will remain silky.
Storage: Store in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Freeze up to 3 months. Reheat gently over low heat with a splash of broth if needed.
Recipe variations: Stir in 4 to 6 oz chopped shrimp with the lobster to stretch the seafood without altering the flavor.
Nutrition (per serving, 4 servings): 430 calories, 28 g fat, 20 g carbs, 20 g protein, 3 g fiber. Nutrition information is an estimate. Actual values may vary based on specific ingredients and brands used.