Creamy shrimp soup

Mmm — Creamy Shrimp Soup 🦐🍲 is rich, comforting, and packed with flavor — a perfect warm meal! You can make it with a light cream base or a heartier, chowder-style texture. Here’s a tried-and-true recipe that’s both elegant and easy:

🦐 Creamy Shrimp Soup

🧂 Ingredients (Serves 4–6)

• 1 lb (450 g) shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 carrot, diced
• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour (for thickening)
• 4 cups (1 L) seafood stock or chicken broth
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
• ½ cup (120 ml) milk (optional, to adjust thickness)
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp dried thyme
• ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional for spice)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• A squeeze of lemon juice (to brighten the flavor)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Sauté the shrimp:
   In a large pot, heat butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add shrimp, season lightly with salt and pepper, and cook for 2–3 minutes, just until pink. Remove shrimp and set aside (they’ll finish in the soup later).
2. Cook the aromatics:
   In the same pot, add onion, celery, and carrot. Cook until softened (about 5 minutes). Add garlic and cook 30 seconds more, until fragrant.
3. Make the roux:
   Sprinkle in the flour and stir for 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste.
4. Add stock:
   Slowly pour in the seafood (or chicken) stock while stirring constantly. Bring to a simmer and cook 8–10 minutes, until slightly thickened.
5. Add cream and seasonings:
   Stir in heavy cream, paprika, thyme, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Simmer gently for another 5–10 minutes.
6. Add shrimp back in:
   Return shrimp to the pot and simmer for 2–3 minutes, until heated through and fully cooked.
   (Don’t overcook — shrimp turn rubbery quickly!)
7. Finish:
   Stir in fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice before serving.

🍞 Serving Ideas

• Serve with crusty bread or garlic toast for dipping.
• Add a handful of corn or baby spinach for texture and color.
• Top with a drizzle of olive oil, extra parsley, or shredded parmesan.

Would you like me to share a spicy Cajun-style creamy shrimp soup version next (with a bit more kick and smoky flavor)?