Heirloom Tomato and Shrimp Bisque

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A creamy bisque made with locally grown heirloom tomatoes, plump shrimp, and a touch of smoked sea salt for a subtle depth. This southern-inspired soups ready in about 55 minutes pairs heirloom tomatoes, shrimp, medium yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 35 min Serves 4 Southern cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Chop heirloom tomatoes, onion, and carrot into 1/2-inch pieces. Sauté in a heavy pot over medium heat with 1 tbsp oil until softened (8 minutes), stirring occasionally.
  2. Step 2: Add tomatoes, 1 cup water, and 1/4 tsp smoked sea salt. Simmer uncovered for 25 minutes until tomatoes break down. Blend until smooth using an immersion blender, then strain through a fine-mesh sieve.
  3. Step 3: Return strained soup to pot, add shrimp, and simmer 5 minutes until shrimp turn pink. Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream, cooking 2 minutes more until gently bubbling around edges. Season with additional smoked sea salt if needed.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Heirloom Tomato and Shrimp Bisque take to make?

Total time is about 55 minutes (20 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Heirloom Tomato and Shrimp Bisque?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep heirloom tomatoes from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Heirloom Tomato and Shrimp Bisque?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Heirloom Tomato and Shrimp Bisque for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Heirloom Tomato and Shrimp Bisque?

Southern soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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