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One of my absolute favorite things to do is go shopping with my mom and my sister. We have a little tradition that whenever we’re at Nordstrom, stopping by their cafe is a must, and I always get the crab bisque. The soup is rich and decadent, with the perfect balance of flavors that feels indulgent but also somehow kind of light and not too heavy. It’s one of those dishes that just hits the spot every time and I wanted to be able to make this Crab Bisque Recipe at home whenever I was craving it!
Also check out my tomato soup or my honey nut soup if you’re looking for ideas for soup season 🍁
Why You’re going to Love Nordstrom’s Crab Bisque
This crab bisque recipe is a truly luxurious, velvety soup with a rich seafood flavor that is to die for. The sweetness of the fresh crabmeat shines through and is perfectly balanced with the smooth creaminess of the broth. And let’s not forget the iconic toasties on the side, just waiting to be dipped into that warm decadent goodness. Each bite is a warm, flavorful hug that is a must-try for any seafood lover!

How to Prepare Nordstrom’s Crab Bisque
🦀 Separate the meat from the crab shells and set aside. Cut up the shells into small pieces.
🥘 Preheat a pot for 2 minutes. Add butter along with your mirepoix and shallots. Sauté until veggies are softened, about 5 minutes. Add flour and garlic. Cook together for 2-3 minutes. Add in crab shells and cook for 6-7 minutes.
🥫 Add in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes. Add wine, clam juice, fish sauce and water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 20-25 minutes.
Get a bowl and strain the veggies and shells, reserving the liquid. Return the liquid to the pot.
🥕 Blend the veggies and the shells with a bit of liquid from the pot.
🥣 Here is where you get the creamiest, most flavorful crab bisque. Line a strainer with cheesecloth and a bowl underneath to catch the liquid. Add in veggies and shells with the heavy cream and bourbon. Using the back of your spoon, get as much of that liquid out. Squeeze as much as you can with your hands.
🔥 Add the strained mixture to the pot and add the tabasco, chipotle powder, salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a light simmer and let it go for 2-3 minutes.
🧈 Spread butter onto your baguette slices, sprinkle garlic salt, oregano and LOTS of parm. Bake at 350°F and bake for 15 minutes or until golden.
🦀 Add the crab to the bisque, reserving some for topping and let it warm through.
🥖 Serve with the toasties, chives, more crab on top!
🫶 And that is it, subscribe for more!
Substitutions for Crab Bisque
- You can use king crabs leg instead of Dungeness crab legs.
- If you don’t have clam juice, you can substitute it for fish stock, vegetable broth or chicken broth. It will change the taste a bit but it will work.
- You can swap the tabasco for your choice of hot sauce instead.
🔥Chef Nadia’s Tip🔥
Use a good pair of Kitchen Shears to cut through those crab legs easily!
Recipes that Pair with Crab Bisque

Common Questions
That is a carrot, celery and onion mix.
The cheesecloth is ideal for catching the finer particles but in a pickle you can use a very fine mesh strainer. The goal is to make sure all the solids are removed so you are left with the silky smooth crab bisque.
You certainly can. You can store it in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 2 days. When you are ready to serve, gently reheat the bisque on the stove, and add you crab meat at this point to warm through. Reheat the toasties in the oven to maintain the crispness.
Nordstrom’s Crab Bisque

Equipment
- cheesecloth
- blender
- Large Pot
Ingredients
Crab Bisque
- 1 ½-2 lb dungeness crab legs, fully cooked
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 small yellow onion or 1/2 large one, chopped
- 1 small shallot, chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled & chopped
- 2 celery ribs, chopped
- 2-3 garlic cloves
- ⅓ cup all purpose flour
- 6 oz tomato paste
- ½ cup wine
- 12 oz clam juice
- 2 tsp fish sauce
- 2-4 squirts of tabasco
- ¼ cup bourbon
- pinch of chipotle powder
- salt and pepper to taste
- 6 cups water
- 1¼ cup heavy cream
- chives for topping
Toasties
- 12 Baguette slices
- Unsalted butter
- pinch oregano
- parmigiano reggiano
- pinch garlic salt
Instructions
- Separate the meat from the crab shells and set aside. Cut up the shells in small pieces.
- Preheat a pot for 2 minutes. Add in 4 tbsp unsalted butter along with your mirepoix and shallot. Saute for about 5 minutes until veggies are softened. Add flour and garlic.
- Cook together for 2-3 minutes. Add crab shells and cook together for 6-7 minutes.
- Add tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes. Add wine, clam juice, fish sauce and water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 20-25 minutes.
- Strain the veggies and shells. Reserve the liquid and return to the pot.
- Blend the veggies and shells with a bit of the liquid from the pot.
- Line a strainer with cheesecloth and put over a bowl to catch the liquid. Add in veggies and shells with the heavy cream and bourbon. Using the back of your spoon get as much of that liquid out. Squeeze as much out as you can with your hands.
- Add the strained mixture to the pot, and add the tabasco, chipotle powder, salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a light simmer and let it go for 2-3 minutes. *see note*
- Spread butter onto your baguette slices, sprinkle garlic salt, oregano and LOTS of parm. Bake at 350°F and bake for 15 minutes or until golden.
- Add the crab to the bisque, reserving some for topping and let it warm through.
- Serve with the toasties, chives, more crab on top and that is it!
Video

Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
All of your recipes look fabulous. I plan on making this crab bisque this weekend. Can you clarify what kind of wine and how much? Thank you!
Hey Tiffany, This is one of my favorites! You’ll have to tell me how you like it. I use about 1/2 a cup of white wine. I didn’t realize I hadn’t added that and it is corrected now.
Nadia!!! This crab bisque was the star of my dinner party. I followed your directions exactly. It was simple and delicious. My girlfriends couldn’t stop raving about it.
Thank you so much. Looking forward to trying more of your recipes. ~Merry Christmas 🎄
Yay! I’m so glad you guys enjoyed it ♥️ Merry Christmas and Happy New Years!!!