A Deliciously Tasty Cream of Shrimp Soup Recipe
Do you love shrimp? If so, you’ll love this deliciously tasty cream of shrimp recipe. You may be wondering how I can make my own cream of shrimp soup. Please keep reading to find out how to make it and ways to make it your own.
What is Cream of Shrimp Soup?
Cream of shrimp soup is a hearty, shrimp-filled dish that is warm and packed with smooth flavors. The star of the dish is the shrimp, of course. Add to that the rich and creamy texture, and you have a delicious dish perfect as a main dish on cold days or as an accompaniment to a main course. The possibilities are endless, and this basic recipe will be a new favorite.
Pair this well-seasoned soup with homemade garlic bread or croutons, and try a new soup dish that can be enjoyed by friends and family alike. Keep reading to learn how to make this dish.
Assemble Your Ingredients
The first step to creating cream of shrimp soup is to gather your ingredients and have them handy so you don’t have to dig around in the kitchen to find what you need. This also helps you remember to add all your ingredients so your soup turns out perfectly.
Ingredients:
- 20-24 peeled and deveined shrimp (1/2 lb)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
- 1/2 cup spinach
- 1 tsp of salt
- 1/4 cup of milk
- 1/2 chopped onion
- 2 tbsp of olive oil
- 2 chopped garlic cloves
- 1 can of chicken stock
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Once you have your ingredients handy, you can begin creating your cream of soup recipe.
Preparing the soup:
- Turn your stove onto high heat and add the olive oil to the pan.
- Add the shrimp to the hot pan, cook for one minute on each side, and remove to a separate plate.
- Add the butter to the pan and cook your onion until it becomes translucent. Then, add the garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook them for about one minute.
- Add your flour and cook until it’s no longer raw. It takes about one to two minutes in total.
- Once the flour is cooked, add your can of stock, the cream, milk, Italian seasoning, spinach, Parmesan, salt, and pepper.
- Bring the mixture to a boil and turn off the heat after the spinach is wilted. It should take around two minutes.
- Stir in the shrimp and take off the heat.
- Serve the soup hot with accompaniments like extra cream, croutons, cheese, or bread.
Selecting the Ingredients
Selecting top-quality ingredients is imperative for the dish to taste its best. The most important ingredient to consider is the shrimp. The best shrimp you can use for this dish is fresh raw shrimp that’s been beheaded, peeled and deveined. However, you can buy frozen raw shrimp at your local grocery store if you don’t have fresh seafood available in your area.
If you have the opportunity to make your own stock, it is recommended, but using canned stock will also work. When choosing your Parmesan, select a fresh version from the block for better results. Fresh spinach, rather than frozen or canned spinach, is also highly recommended because it has a better flavor and texture.
Can You Freeze Cream of Shrimp Soup?
Freezing cream of shrimp soup is discouraged. The dairy in the soup doesn’t freeze well, and when you thaw the soup, the milk solids separate and create highly unappetizing lumps. If you want to store the soup after it cools, refrigerate it in a sealed container for three days maximum to avoid becoming ill. Seafood spoils much quicker than regular proteins like beef or pork. Always use caution when storing seafood; if you doubt how long it has been sitting, throw it out to avoid potential food-related illness.
Additions and Substitutions
You can add ingredients or substitute ingredients to make this cream of shrimp your own. If you have lactose intolerance, you can use almond or nut-based dairy products instead of milk or cream. However, if you are trying to add some flavor, add extra garlic, another type of complimentary cheese such as Romano, or even sharp cheddar.
Another great addition would be some chopped green onions or chives on top of the soup when you serve it. You may also consider adding other seafood, such as crab or fresh oysters. When you serve your soup, you can make garlic croutons or garlic bread to compliment the soup if it’s a main course. You could even melt cheese slices on the top and add bacon or other toppers to suit your tastes.
If you enjoy your shrimp seasoning, you can add some complimentary seasonings to them before you cook them in the frying pan. Just be sure to stick closely to the same flavor profile as the rest of the soup. Some ideal seasonings may be salt, whiter or black pepper, or even ground chilis to add an extra kick of flavor.
If you want to pair this dish with a wine, a light white wine that’s not too sweet is recommended for the best flavor. Drier white wines work well with creamy soups and seafood.
Try This Recipe Today
Not only is this soup incredibly easy to make, but it’s also very versatile and allows you to add or remove ingredients to your liking. For example, you can add more types of seafood, or you may choose to alter the amount of cream to milk ratio to thin the soup or thicken it to your tastes. You may substitute spinach for a different ingredient, like kale or escarole.
Try to add or remove some garlic and substitute pepper or even green onion to adjust the flavor. You can do so many different things with this soup to make it your own. Try serving it when you have friends and family over for a special gathering or to add as an accompaniment to a meal. It’s also an excellent meal for a cold winter night for you and your family or yourself.
Gather the best ingredients you can find, try to make this recipe tonight, and add another great dish to your collection.
