Nutrition Notes

Is Lobster Healthy?

Besides being a New England favorite, lobster is a lean source of protein and provides several vitamins and minerals—including vitamin B12, copper, zinc, selenium and iodine. It also contributes to your omega-3 intake, providing EPA and DHA. Lobster is fairly high in sodium—a 3-ounce portion of cooked lobster meat will give you about 20% of your day’s worth. It’s also high in cholesterol, but we know now that dietary cholesterol has minimal effects on our blood cholesterol levels. Considering the nutrients found in lobster, it can help boost brain health and support a healthy immune system and thyroid function.

Are Onions Good for You?

While you may not appreciate the tear-producing qualities of onions, you will most likely appreciate their health benefits. Thanks to the antioxidant quercetin, onions have been linked to reduced inflammation and a lower risk of heart disease. The quercetin in onions also has a bacteria-fighting component. Their sulfur compounds (some of which also cause watery eyes) have been shown to help regulate blood sugar.

Is This Recipe Gluten-Free?

As is, no, this recipe is not gluten-free. But you can swap out the all-purpose flour for gluten-free all-purpose flour for an equally delicious gluten-free bisque.

Tips from the Test Kitchen

Can I Use Raw Lobster Tails?

Yes, you can! We use cooked lobster tails for convenience and for a quicker cooking time, but feel free to use raw lobster tails instead. You can cook lobster tails a day ahead and reserve them for this recipe or cook them right before preparing the bisque.

Can I Use Dried Thyme Instead of Fresh?

Yes, if you don't have fresh thyme on hand, you can use 2 teaspoons of dried thyme instead.

I Don’t Have Brandy, Is There a Substitute?

If you don’t have brandy, you can use sherry or dry white wine. Some examples of dry white wines are sauvignon blanc, chardonnay and pinot grigio. If you prefer not to cook with alcohol, substitute it with more seafood stock or lobster stock.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the Difference between Lobster Soup and Lobster Bisque?

Lobster bisque is a type of soup of French origin that’s smooth and creamy, extracting its lobster flavor by pureeing and straining the ingredients into a rich and flavorful soup. Lobster soup, such as Lobster & Corn Chowder, is typically chunky with pieces of vegetables like potatoes and corn.

Additional reporting by Carrie Myers, M.S. and Jan Valdez

Ingredients

2 (7-ounce) cooked lobster tails, thawed if frozen
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cups chopped yellow onion
1 cup chopped celery
4 cloves garlic, crushed and peeled
2 bay leaves
2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup no-salt-added tomato paste
1/4 cup brandy
4 cups seafood stock or lobster stock (such as Bar Harbor)
2 cups no-salt-added chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice, divided
2 teaspoons sherry vinegar
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
Finely chopped fresh chives for garnish (optional)

Directions

Using kitchen shears, cut along the length of each lobster tail shell. Remove the vein running through the tail. (If needed, rinse the lobster tails under cold running water. Drain and pat dry with paper towels.) Using your fingers, loosen the meat from the shells; remove and set aside. Cut or break the shells into large pieces.
Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the lobster shells, onion, celery, garlic, bay leaves and thyme; cook, stirring often, until the vegetables are softened, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle flour over the vegetable mixture; cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Stir in tomato paste until the mixture is well coated. Add brandy; cook, stirring constantly, until mostly evaporated. Pour in seafood (or lobster) stock and chicken broth; bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until just slightly thickened and flavors have melded, about 30 minutes.
Transfer half of the mixture to a blender. Remove the center piece of the lid (to allow steam to escape); secure the lid on the blender and place a clean towel over the opening. Process until blended, about 2 minutes. (Use caution when blending hot liquids.) Pour through a fine-mesh sieve into a large measuring cup, pressing with the rounded side of a ladle to squeeze out the liquid; discard solids. Strain the batch a second time. Repeat with the remaining soup: blend, then strain twice.
Return both batches of strained soup to the pot. Stir in cream, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, vinegar, cayenne and salt. Divide among 8 warm bowls. Toss the reserved lobster meat with the remaining 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice. Top each serving with some of the lobster. Sprinkle with chives, if desired.

EatingWell.com, November 2023

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

286	Calories
16g	Fat
14g	Carbs
19g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Serving Size 3/4 cup
Calories 286
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 14g	5%
Dietary Fiber 2g	6%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 19g	37%
Total Fat 16g	21%
Saturated Fat 9g	46%
Cholesterol 87mg	29%
Vitamin A 180Âµg
Vitamin C 9mg	11%
Vitamin D 0Âµg
Vitamin E 1mg	7%
Folate 28Âµg
Vitamin K 11Âµg
Sodium 403mg	18%
Calcium 78mg	6%
Iron 2mg	9%
Magnesium 50mg	12%
Potassium 550mg	12%
Zinc 4mg	36%
Vitamin B12 3Âµg
Omega 3 0g

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.