Thai Coconut Shrimp Soup (Printable)

Creamy, aromatic Thai soup with shrimp, coconut milk, and red curry paste in a perfectly balanced tangy-spicy broth.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Seafood

01 - 12 oz large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined

→ Aromatics & Vegetables

02 - 2 stalks lemongrass, trimmed and smashed
03 - 4 kaffir lime leaves, torn (optional)
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 small onion, thinly sliced
06 - 3.5 oz mushrooms, sliced
07 - 1 small red chili, sliced (optional)
08 - 1 thumb-sized piece fresh ginger or galangal, sliced

→ Broth

09 - 14 fl oz coconut milk
10 - 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
11 - 2 tablespoons Thai red curry paste

→ Seasonings

12 - 2 tablespoons fish sauce
13 - 1 tablespoon lime juice, plus additional for adjustment
14 - 1 teaspoon sugar

→ Garnish

15 - Fresh cilantro leaves
16 - Lime wedges
17 - Sliced green onions

# How To Make It:

01 - In a large pot over medium heat, add a splash of oil and sauté the onion, garlic, lemongrass, ginger or galangal, and chili for 2-3 minutes until fragrant. Stir in the red curry paste and cook for 1 minute to release its full aroma.
02 - Pour in the coconut milk and chicken broth. Add kaffir lime leaves if using. Bring to a gentle simmer.
03 - Add the mushrooms and simmer for 5 minutes until just tender.
04 - Add the shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes until pink and cooked through.
05 - Stir in fish sauce, sugar, and lime juice. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more lime juice, fish sauce, or sugar as desired.
06 - Remove lemongrass, ginger or galangal, and lime leaves from the soup.
07 - Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with cilantro, green onions, and lime wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The broth has a velvety texture that feels like a warm hug for your throat.
  • It balances four distinct flavors in one bowl without requiring a professional chef degree.
02 -
  • Boiling the coconut milk too hard can cause it to separate and look curdled.
  • If you find the soup too spicy a little extra sugar or coconut milk will calm the fire.
03 -
  • Freeze leftover ginger or galangal in small chunks so you always have some ready.
  • Wait to add the lime juice until the heat is off to keep the flavor sharp.
Return