Southwestern Shrimp Bisque is our low carb version of a traditional “caldo de camerón” prepared as a bisque rather than a broth. Of course, our cuisine in the Southwest is heavily influenced by Mexican ingredients and cooking techniques. Our shrimp bisque is no exception. Being a bisque means it is creamy, smooth, and loaded with low-carb ingredients. The Mexican influence is added with the spices and chopped jalapeño. We love the soup – it is, of course, Tasty Low Carb!
“Caldo de Camerón” is very common in Mexico. But, as with most recipes, each region would add its own take on the recipe with differing ingredients and flavor. Some regions add a corn dough for thickening. Other regions will not use vegetables. But, most often the soup will include fresh shrimp, carrots, corn, potatoes, and a tomato flavored broth. It is also not typically a “bisque.”
Our version is not only a “bisque,” but we also eliminate the potatoes, corn, and carrots. This is essential to reduce the carbs and fit within our low-carb lifestyle.
Ingredients
Shrimp is the main ingredient to this soup. We use fresh and peel and devein them as a first step. We retain the shrimp shells as they are the key to making a delicious shrimp stock. You could use crab meat, or lobster meat instead. You could even make a Southwestern clam bisque from this recipe. The spices would remain the same and the taste would be similar with each choice. For thickening we use almond flour rather than wheat based flour; this also reduces the carb content. Also, the heavy whipping cream, butter, and even the sour cream will aid in the thickening of the soup. These ingredients are also low in carbs.
Our Mexican influence is found in the chopped jalapeño, chili powder, cumin, Cholula hot sauce, and corn extract. We also garnish our Southwestern Shrimp Bisque with chopped cilantro and avocado chunks. We use a small amount of tomato sauce for flavoring and color. This is also to display a Mexican flavor. We have used “corn extract” before in our Low Carb Corn Bread and our Low Carb Taco Shells.
Low Carb Cornbread
Cooks in 60 minutesDifficulty: EasyKeto cornbread without the corn – impossible! Not really . . . we have found a way to enjoy the taste and texture of real old fashioned cornbread without all the carbs!
Keto Almond Flour Tortillas
Cooks in 20 minutesDifficulty: EasyKeto Almond Flour Tortillas are easy to make and are perfect for tacos, tostadas, and enchiladas! A definite low-carb essential that is also gluten-free. All the taste and only 3g of net carbs!
We rarely make a soup that does not include a good sherry. For a delicious bisque it is an essential. We have also posted before on the necessity of using a real Spanish sherry – they are simply the best. You can read our discussion about sherry found in our post of Langostinos in Sherry Cream Sauce.
Preparation Tips
We definitely recommend making homemade shrimp stock. It is easy and adds so much flavor to any soup recipe including shrimp. Simply boil the shrimp shells (and heads if you buy whole shrimp) for about fifteen minutes in salted water. Then strain the stock and you will have a solid stock base for the recipe. You can also substitute a seafood stock or clam chowder for the additional cup of water that is added after the cream is incorporated. This will add an even greater flavor from the sea.
The jalapeño should be very finely diced. We remove the seeds but if you prefer more heat you can leave the seeds in the soup. You can also add more almond flour for a thicker soup. However, the shrimp bisque will thicken as it cools and if you make a larger batch the soup will thicken overnight in the refrigerator. You can always add a little seafood stock when re-heating to thin the soup.
We also strongly urge you not to overcook the shrimp. It should be added for the last few minutes when the consistency is where you want it and the tomato sauce has been incorporated. We also usually add a few previously cooked shrimp (either grilled or poached) as a garnish. Of course the cool avocado and cilantro also add to the presentation and flavor of each spoonful. We like the blend of hot soup with chilled avocado.
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Southwestern Shrimp Bisque – Creamy with a Southwestern Kick of Chile
You will definitely get a Southwestern kick with the blend of chili and spice and the shrimp flavor is delicious. This will become a “go to” bisque for friends and family. It is very rich, as they say, a little will be very filling and of course the carbs will be low. Enjoy!
Southwestern Shrimp Bisque
Course: SoupCuisine: MexicanDifficulty: EaSY6
20
minutes25
minutes422.7
kcal5.4
G45
minutesA Keto creamy bisque with delicious shrimp bites and a Southwestern kick of chili and spice. Being a bisque means it is creamy, smooth, and loaded with low-carb high-fat ingredients.
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Ingredients
1 pound 454 g Shrimp peeled and deveined
4 cups 0.95 l Water
1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon Sea salt
2 tablespoons 2 tablespoons Olive oil extra virgin
1 small 1 small Onion diced
1 small 1 small Jalapeño seeded and finely chopped
4 cloves 4 cloves Garlic chopped
2 tablespoons 2 tablespoons Almond flour
1 tablespoon 1 tablespoon Chicken bouillon granules
1 tablespoon 1 tablespoon Chili powder
2 teaspoons 2 teaspoons Cumin
1 tablespoon 1 tablespoon Cholula hot sauce original
1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon Corn extract
2 tablespoons 2 tablespoons Dry sherry
3 tablespoons 3 tablespoons Butter
1 1/2 cups 354 ml Heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup 115 g Sour cream
1/2 cup 118 ml Tomato sauce
1/3 cup 5 g Cilantro chopped
1 1 Avocado cubed
Instructions
- Shrimp Stock
- Peel and devein shrimp. Reserve the shrimp shells.
- Place shrimp shells in a pot with 3 cups of salted water. Cook the shells over medium heat for 15 minutes. Strain the mixture and discard the shells. Reserve the shrimp stock in a bowl.
- Cut each shrimp into bite-size pieces. Reserve in a small bowl.
- Bisque
- In a medium size stock pot, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and heat over medium heat. Chopped onion and jalapeños should be added and cooked for 5 minutes. Add the chopped garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Add the almond flour and stir into the mixture of onion, jalapeño, and garlic. Stir for 1 minute to combine.
- Add the shrimp stock slowly – stir continuously. Then add the chicken bouillon granules and stir until dissolved.
- Stir in the heavy cream, sherry, 1 cup of water, and butter. Cook until butter melts and is incorporated.
- Add chili powder, cumin, Cholula, and corn extract and cook for 15 minutes over low heat. Soup will begin to thicken. Add the sour cream gradually during the last 5 minutes of cooking time.
- Finish with the tomato sauce and stir until blended. Add the shrimp pieces and cook for 5 minutes until shrimp is done.
- Transfer to serving bowls and top with cilantro and cubed avocados.
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 422.7kcal
- Carbohydrates: 9.1g
- Protein: 4.5g
- Fat: 42.2g
- Saturated Fat: 20.7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 93.7mg
- Sodium: 862.2mg
- Potassium: 399.7mg
- Fiber: 3.7g
- Sugar: 4.6g
- Vitamin A: 1770IU
- Vitamin C: 10.4mg
- Calcium: 97.2mg
- Iron: 2.8mg
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