Quick & Creamy Ina Garten Lobster Bisque Recipe for Cozy Nights

Lobster bisque emerges as a luxurious culinary treasure that transforms simple seafood into an extraordinary dining experience.

Rich maritime flavors dance through this classic French-inspired soup, promising unparalleled comfort with each spoonful.

Delicate shellfish mingles with aromatic vegetables, creating a symphony of sophisticated tastes that tantalize the palate.

Creamy textures and nuanced seasonings elevate this elegant dish beyond mere sustenance.

Professional chefs and home cooks celebrate the complex yet approachable nature of this timeless recipe.

Sophisticated ingredients blend seamlessly, producing a velvety concoction that whispers of coastal memories and refined gastronomy.

Prepare to be transported by a culinary journey that celebrates oceanic abundance: dive in and savor every moment.

Key Ingredients for Ina Garten Lobster Bisque

• Lobster Meat: Rich, sweet protein that gives the bisque its signature flavor and luxurious texture.
• Seafood Stock: Provides a deep, oceanic foundation for the soup's complex taste profile.
• Onion, Carrots, Celery: Classic mirepoix blend that creates a flavorful aromatic base for the bisque.
• Garlic: Adds a sharp, warm depth to the overall flavor of the bisque.
• Bay Leaf, Thyme: Fragrant herbs that infuse subtle earthy and herbal notes into the soup.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the other ingredients.
• White Wine: Adds acidity and complexity to the bisque's flavor profile.
• Tomato Paste: Provides a rich, concentrated tomato undertone and helps thicken the soup.
• Flour: Helps to create a smooth, velvety texture and thicken the bisque.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps sauté the vegetables.
• Heavy Cream: Creates a luxurious, silky smooth texture and adds richness.
• Chives: Fresh, mild onion-like herb that adds a bright green color and light flavor to the top of the bisque.

A Comprehensive Guide to Ina Garten Lobster Bisque

Step 1: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

• 1 chopped onion
• 2 chopped carrots
• 2 chopped celery stalks

Cook until vegetables become soft and translucent, about 7 minutes.

Step 2: Build Flavor Base

• Salt
• Black pepper
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• Tomato paste

Mix thoroughly and cook for 2 minutes. Sprinkle all-purpose flour over the mixture and stir for another minute.

Step 3: Create Liquid Foundation

• Seafood stock
• White wine

Add 1 bay leaf and 2 sprigs fresh thyme. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 4: Blend Smooth Texture

Remove bay leaf and thyme sprigs. Use an immersion blender or standard blender to puree the soup until completely smooth.

Step 5: Finish with Luxurious Touches

• Heavy cream
• Cooked lobster meat

Warm for 5 minutes until heated through.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Ladle bisque into bowls and sprinkle chopped fresh chives on top. Serve immediately with crusty bread.

Expert Hints for Ina Garten Lobster Bisque

• Prep Ahead Perfectly: Create base soup one day early, adding cream and lobster just before serving for deeper flavor complexity.
• Garnish Gracefully: Slice fresh chives moments before plating to retain vibrant green color and zesty onion essence.
• Wine Complement Wisely: Match bisque with crisp, dry white wines like Chardonnay that enhance delicate seafood undertones.
• Cream Integration Strategy: Pour heavy cream incrementally at low temperature, ensuring elegant, unbroken consistency.

Clever Storage Ideas for Ina Garten Lobster Bisque

• Stovetop Reheating: Warm gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently to maintain the bisque's silky texture and prevent scorching. This method preserves the delicate flavors and creamy consistency of the lobster bisque.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Store in an airtight glass or ceramic container, ensuring the bisque cools completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth. Consume within 48 hours for optimal taste and safety, keeping the container chilled at 40°F or below.
• Freshness Warning: Skip freezing this delicate soup, as cream and seafood components will separate, destroying the luxurious smooth texture. Discard if any off-odors or unusual appearance develop, prioritizing food safety and quality over extending storage time.

Innovative Variations for Ina Garten Lobster Bisque

• Coastal Comfort Classic: Transform the bisque by adding crispy bacon bits and a splash of sherry for a richer, more robust seafood flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Seafood Fusion: Incorporate diced roasted red peppers, a pinch of saffron, and swap white wine for a dry vermouth to give the bisque a Mediterranean coastal feel.
• Spicy Cajun Seafood Remix: Blend in some Cajun seasoning, add andouille sausage chunks, and use a mix of crab and shrimp alongside the lobster for a New Orleans-inspired version.
• Herb Garden Refresh: Substitute thyme with fresh tarragon, include a handful of chopped fresh dill, and finish with a dollop of crème fraîche to elevate the herbal notes and create a lighter, more delicate soup experience.

Closing Reflections on Ina Garten Lobster Bisque

Luxurious coastal flavors dance across palates with Ina Garten’s legendary lobster bisque.

Rich seafood stock creates profound depth while delicate cream softens each spoonful.

Ingredients harmonize seamlessly, telling stories of maritime elegance and culinary mastery.

Classic French techniques merge with coastal New England traditions in this remarkable recipe.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this bisque promises restaurant-quality comfort from kitchen to table.

Passionate cooks will cherish sharing this masterpiece – so snap that perfect photo, tag fellow food enthusiasts, and spread delicious inspiration with colleagues and friends!

Savor the Silky Richness of Ina Garten Lobster Bisque

• Savor Luxurious Seafood Elegance: This lobster bisque transforms simple ingredients into a sophisticated dish that feels like a five-star restaurant experience right in your kitchen.
• Master Quick Gourmet Cooking: The recipe takes just one hour to prepare, offering home cooks an accessible way to create a complex, restaurant-quality soup with minimal culinary expertise.
• Enjoy Rich, Creamy Comfort: Blending seafood stock, wine, and heavy cream creates an incredibly smooth, velvety texture that wraps your taste buds in warm, indulgent flavors that comfort and delight.
• Elevate Everyday Meals: This bisque turns an ordinary dinner into a special occasion, perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself to a gourmet meal without extensive cooking skills.

Ina Garten Lobster Bisque Recipe

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4.9 from 11 reviews

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

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Description

Ina Garten’s luxurious lobster bisque elevates seafood comfort to gourmet heights. Rich cream, delicate lobster meat, and aromatic herbs blend seamlessly, inviting you to savor each spoonful of this classic French-inspired delicacy.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 lb (454 grams) cooked lobster meat, chopped
• 4 cups (946 milliliters) seafood or fish stock
• 1 ¼ cups (296 milliliters) dry white wine

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 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 of fresh thyme

Additional Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (118 milliliters) heavy cream
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Place a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat and melt unsalted butter (113 grams or 4 ounces) until it becomes golden and fragrant.
2. Introduce finely diced yellow onions, peeled carrots, and crisp celery into the butter. Sauté the aromatic vegetables until they transform into a soft, translucent mixture, approximately 6-8 minutes.
3. Incorporate minced garlic cloves, sea salt, freshly ground black pepper, and rich tomato paste. Stir the ingredients thoroughly, allowing the flavors to meld for 1-2 minutes.
4. Dust the vegetable mixture with all-purpose flour, carefully stirring to create a smooth, pale roux that will help thicken the bisque.
5. Gradually pour in seafood stock (473 milliliters or 16 fluid ounces) and dry white wine (120 milliliters or 4 fluid ounces), whisking continuously to prevent lumps from forming.
6. Add whole bay leaf and fresh thyme sprigs to enhance the depth of flavor. Reduce heat to low and allow the liquid to simmer gently, occasionally stirring, for 25-35 minutes.
7. Remove the bay leaf and thyme stems, then transfer the soup to a blender. Purée until the mixture becomes silky and uniform in texture.
8. Return the puréed bisque to the pot, introducing heavy cream (240 milliliters or 8 fluid ounces) and carefully folded chunks of cooked lobster meat.
9. Warm the bisque over medium-low heat for 4-5 minutes, ensuring the lobster is heated through without becoming tough.
10. Ladle the creamy bisque into warm serving bowls and garnish with freshly chopped chives for a burst of color and mild onion flavor.

Notes

• Leftover bisque stays fresh for 2-3 days when sealed in an airtight container, reheating gently preserves its luxurious texture.
• Blending transforms ingredients into a silky smooth base that highlights delicate seafood and vegetable nuances.
• Substituting half-and-half creates a lighter version without compromising the soup’s elegant flavor profile.
• Chives add a bright, fresh garnish that introduces visual interest and subtle onion undertones.
• Heavy cream ensures a decadent, velvety consistency that elevates the entire culinary experience.
• Fresh thyme and bay leaves infuse the bisque with authentic, aromatic French-inspired complexity.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 550 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 19 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 29 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 160 mg