Thai Coconut Soup

Dinner
1 hour 5 minutes

A creamy, tangy Thai coconut soup with coconut milk, lemongrass, mushrooms, and shrimp, finished with lime and cilantro.

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This Thai Coconut Soup (Tom Kha Gai) is a creamy, tangy, and aromatic dish that combines coconut milk, lemongrass, ginger, mushrooms, and shrimp (or chicken) with a hint of red curry paste. Enhanced with fresh lime juice and garnished with cilantro, it’s a comforting and flavorful soup perfect for any occasion.

Thai Coconut Soup

A creamy, tangy Thai coconut soup with coconut milk, lemongrass, mushrooms, and shrimp, finished with lime and cilantro.

Dinner
1 hour 5 minutes
Prep time
35 minutes
cook time
30 minutes
total time
1 hour 5 minutes
servings
4
cuisine
Thai
storage
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh grated ginger
  • 1 stalk lemongrass, cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 2 teaspoons red curry paste
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 3 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
  • 3 (13.5-ounce) cans coconut milk
  • ½ pound shiitake mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • Salt to taste
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • Instructions:

    1. Sauté Aromatics:
      • In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat.
      • Add the grated ginger, lemongrass pieces, and red curry paste. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
    2. Add Broth and Seasonings:
      • Pour in the chicken broth, fish sauce, and light brown sugar. Stir well to combine.
      • Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer for about 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
    3. Incorporate Coconut Milk and Mushrooms:
      • Stir in the coconut milk and bring the soup back to a gentle simmer.
      • Add the sliced shiitake mushrooms and cook for about 5 minutes until they are tender.
    4. Add Shrimp:
      • Introduce the shrimp to the pot and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until they turn pink and are cooked through.
    5. Finish with Lime and Seasonings:
      • Stir in the fresh lime juice.
      • Taste the soup and add salt as needed to achieve your desired seasoning.
    6. Serve:
      • Remove the lemongrass pieces before serving.
      • With a bowl of rice

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