Easy Creamy Salmon Bisque

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Updated on 12/13/22
Salmon Bisque Soup and Sandwich

Jauder Ho / Getty Images

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Total: 35 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
330 Calories
21g Fat
10g Carbs
20g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 330
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 21g 28%
Saturated Fat 11g 57%
Cholesterol 112mg 37%
Sodium 773mg 34%
Total Carbohydrate 10g 4%
Dietary Fiber 1g 2%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 20g
Vitamin C 1mg 6%
Calcium 238mg 18%
Iron 1mg 8%
Potassium 360mg 8%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Seafood bisques are rich, creamy, and luxurious, and often require the shells and fish stock and take several steps to prepare and an extended period of time to make. This salmon bisque, however, is ready in nearly thirty minutes and calls for canned salmon, along with chicken broth, white wine, tomato paste, and half-and-half. The soup begins with sauteed onions and a basic roux, and once the remaining ingredients are added, the mixture is pureed until velvety smooth.

Although fresh seafood is usually preferred, canned salmon is perfectly fine for this recipe. There are so many other flavors in the bisque that no one will notice the fish isn't from a fresh fillet. Canned salmon works well when it is combined with other ingredients, like in a salad or pan-fried patty.

This salmon bisque goes nicely with a sandwich or salad for lunch, or you can make it the first course of a special dinner menu. Feel free to dress it up with a few garnishes, such as roasted red pepper strips, sour cream, olive oil, croutons, or fresh parsley.

Ingredients

  • 6 tablespoons (3 ounces) unsalted butter

  • 1 tablespoon grated onion

  • 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour

  • 1 medium bay leaf

  • 1 3/4 cups low-sodium or unsalted chicken broth or stock

  • 1/2 cup dry white wine

  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste

  • 1 (7.5-ounce) can salmon, with juices

  • 1 cup half-and-half, or whole milk

  • Kosher salt, to taste

  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

  • Roasted red pepper strips, sour cream, olive oil, croutons, chopped fresh parsley, for optional garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Heat the butter in a medium saucepan until melted; add the grated onion and saute for 4 to 5 minutes, until tender.

  3. Blend the flour into the butter and onion mixture. Cook, constantly stirring, for 2 minutes. Add the bay leaf and gradually stir in the broth. Cook, stirring, until thickened and smooth.

  4. Stir in the wine and cook over low heat for 10 minutes. Discard the bay leaf.

  5. Stir in the tomato paste and the salmon along with the juices. Process in the blender in batches until smooth, then return to the saucepan. Alternatively, use a hand blender to puree the bisque directly in the pot.

  6. Stir in the half-and-half and season with salt and pepper to taste.

  7. If desired, garnish with roasted red pepper strips, croutons, sour cream, or fresh parsley.

  8. Enjoy.

Use Caution When Blending Hot Ingredients

Steam expands quickly in a blender and can cause ingredients to splatter everywhere or cause burns. To prevent this, fill the blender only one-third of the way up, vent the top, and cover with a folded kitchen towel while blending.

Recipe Variation

Replace the half-and-half with light cream or heavy cream for a richer bisque.