Thai Shrimp Soup - Rebbit Care

Thai Shrimp Soup, or Tom Yum Goong, is a delicious, aromatic, and spicy Thai soup that features shrimp as the main protein, infused with bold flavors like lemongrass, lime leaves, fish sauce, and chili. It’s light yet full of zest, making it a perfect appetizer or a main dish when paired with a side of rice.

Here’s a recipe for a simple and delicious Thai Shrimp Soup:

Table of Contents

Thai Shrimp Soup (Tom Yum Goong)

Ingredients:

1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails on or off)

4 cups chicken broth or water (you can use shrimp stock for more flavor)
2 stalks lemongrass, trimmed and smashed (or use 1 tbsp lemongrass paste)
4-5 kaffir lime leaves, torn into pieces (or use lime zest if unavailable)

3-4 Thai bird’s eye chilies, smashed (adjust to your spice level)
3-4 slices galangal (or ginger if galangal is unavailable)
1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced (shiitake or button mushrooms work well)

1 medium tomato, cut into wedges (optional)
1 small onion, sliced
3-4 tablespoons fish sauce (adjust to taste)

2-3 tablespoons lime juice (freshly squeezed)
1-2 teaspoons palm sugar or stevia (optional, for sweetness)
Fresh cilantro leaves (for garnish)

Thai chili paste (Nam Prik Pao), optional, for a smoky flavor (about 1 tablespoon)
Coconut milk (optional for a creamy version, about 1/4 cup)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Broth:

In a large pot, add the chicken broth (or water). Bring it to a boil over medium-high heat.

Add the smashed lemongrass stalks, kaffir lime leaves, galangal slices, bird’s eye chilies, and onion. Let it boil for about 10-15 minutes to allow the aromatics to infuse the broth with flavor.
If you’re using Thai chili paste (Nam Prik Pao), you can add it to the pot at this point for added depth of flavor and a smoky undertone.

2. Add the Vegetables:

Once the broth is infused, add the mushrooms and tomato wedges to the pot. Let it cook for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables soften.

3. Add the Shrimp:

Add the shrimp to the pot and cook for 2-3 minutes or until they turn pink and opaque. Be careful not to overcook them, as shrimp cook very quickly.

4. Season the Soup:

Add fish sauce for saltiness and lime juice for acidity. Adjust to taste. If you prefer a slightly sweeter soup, add a little palm sugar or stevia to balance the flavors.
Taste the broth and adjust the seasoning—add more fish sauce if you prefer saltiness, more lime juice for tanginess, or more chilies if you like it spicier.

5. Optional: Add Coconut Milk

If you prefer a creamier soup, stir in coconut milk at this point and let it simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes.

6. Garnish and Serve:

Once the shrimp are cooked and the flavors are balanced, remove the pot from the heat.
Garnish the soup with fresh cilantro leaves and serve hot.

Serving Suggestions:

Rice: Serve the soup with a side of steamed jasmine rice or cauliflower rice if you’re keeping it low-carb.
Side Dishes: Pair it with Thai-style spring rolls or a small green papaya salad for a complete Thai-inspired meal.

Storage:

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.

To reheat, gently warm the soup on the stovetop, being careful not to overcook the shrimp.

Tips & Variations:

Adjusting Spice Level: If you prefer a milder soup, reduce the number of bird’s eye chilies or omit them. Alternatively, if you love spicy food, add extra chilies or a spoonful of chili paste.
Vegetarian Version: For a vegetarian version, you can omit the shrimp and fish sauce, substituting with tofu and soy sauce or tamari. Add more vegetables like carrots, bamboo shoots, and baby corn.

More Herbs: Some versions of Tom Yum include fresh Thai basil or cilantro stems for extra freshness.

Why This Recipe Works:

Balanced Flavors: Tom Yum soup has the perfect balance of salty, sour, sweet, and spicy flavors. The fish sauce provides umami, the lime adds sourness, the sugar rounds it out with sweetness, and the chili gives it a spicy kick.
Quick and Healthy: It’s light, full of protein from the shrimp, and packed with fresh herbs and vegetables, making it a perfect healthy, quick meal.

Enjoy your delicious Thai Shrimp Soup (Tom Yum Goong)—it’s the perfect comfort food that’s light yet full of vibrant flavors!