Easy Thai Coconut Soup Recipe | Cotter Crunch (2024)

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This Easy Thai Coconut Soup Recipe, also known as Tom Kha Gai, is sweet, savory, and filling! Made with a creamy coconut milk broth, fresh veggies, and warm seasonings, it’s a light, nutritious soup full of flavor.

Easy Thai Coconut Soup Recipe | Cotter Crunch (1)

Table Of Contents

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  • We Love Thai Coconut Soup!
  • What is the Difference Between Tom Yum and Tom Kha?
  • Ingredients You’ll Need
  • How to Make This Easy Coconut Milk Soup Recipe
  • Topping Ideas
  • How to Store and Reheat
  • Can I Freeze Thai Coconut Soup?
  • More Gluten-Free Soup Recipes

We Love Thai Coconut Soup!

Ever wondered what makes a good Thai Coconut Soup? Thai coconut soup, also known as tom kha kai, is a creamy Thai soup made with a creamy broth and coconut milk base. Made with fresh aromatics, veggies, and warm seasonings, it features an explosion of tastes and textures unlike anything else!

Bonus Nutrient Tip: Thai coconut soup typically contains a variety of nutrient-dense ingredients such as coconut milk (rich in healthy fats), vegetables (providing vitamins, minerals, and fiber), and optional protein sources like chicken, shrimp, or tofu.

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What is the Difference Between Tom Yum and Tom Kha?

Tom Yum soup is spicier and has a clear broth whereas Tom Kha is creamy and sweeter with a velvety texture thanks to the use of coconut milk. Both soups can be made with a variety of proteins. However, tom yum usually contains shrimp while tom kha contains chicken.

So there you have it, Tom Yum brings the heat and the tang, while Tom Kha offers up creamy coconut bliss. Time to grab a spoon and dig in!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Below is an overview of the ingredients and instructions to make this recipe. Be sure to scroll down to the recipe card below for the complete details and nutrition information!

Easy Thai Coconut Soup Recipe | Cotter Crunch (3)
  • Oil – Use a neutral flavored oil such as avocado oil or light olive oil.
  • Aromatics – Fresh ginger, garlic, and lemongrass stalks add a bright, zingy flavor to the soup. Find these in the produce section of your local grocery store!

Ingredient Swap: If you can’t find fresh lemongrass, feel free to substitute lemongrass paste instead.

Note: The type of chili paste and curry powder makes a difference in the flavor and spiciness of the soup. Use any kind you like best, and adjust the amount included to your liking. We used a mild curry powder because our chili paste was hot. However, you can also find hot curry powder such as Hot Madras Curry Powder if you prefer extra heat!

  • Broth – Use organic broth, vegetable broth/stock, or chicken broth for the liquid base of the soup.
  • Fish Sauce – This adds a touch of salty flavor. Feel free to substitute gluten-free soy sauce if preferred.
  • Raw Sugar – This cuts some of the spice and savoriness, creating a well-rounded flavor.
  • Coconut Milk – Use regular full fat or light canned coconut milk to add a sweet taste and create a creamy consistency.
  • Mushroom Caps – Use white mushroom caps, and slice them into pieces.
  • Lime Zest – Adds a vibrant note of citrus.

Note: Feel free to add cooked shrimp, shredded chicken, cooked chicken thighs, tempeh, or tofu to add protein and make this dish to make it even more filling!

How to Make This Easy Coconut Milk Soup Recipe

  1. Sauté. Heat the oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Then, add the ginger, garlic, chili pasta, lemongrass, and curry powder. Cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant.
  2. Simmer. Stir in the broth, sugar, and fish sauce, not letting the ingredients boil. Then, reduce the heat to low, and simmer.
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Easy Thai Coconut Soup Recipe | Cotter Crunch (5)
  1. Add the remaining ingredients. Mix in the coconut milk until the soup is creamy. Add the mushrooms and lime zest. Cook on low or medium-low heat until the vegetables are soft.
Easy Thai Coconut Soup Recipe | Cotter Crunch (6)
Easy Thai Coconut Soup Recipe | Cotter Crunch (7)
  1. Serve. Stir in the fresh lime juice. Then, spoon the soup into bowls, add your garnishes of choice, and enjoy!
Easy Thai Coconut Soup Recipe | Cotter Crunch (8)
Easy Thai Coconut Soup Recipe | Cotter Crunch (9)

Topping Ideas

We love to load our Thai coconut soup up with all the best toppings! Some of our favorite options include:

  • Chopped Scallions (Green Onions)
  • Cilantro
  • Lime Juice
  • Thai Bird’s Eye Red Peppers
  • Lime Wedges
  • Thai Basil

How to Store and Reheat

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat it in the microwave or on the stove over medium heat.

Can I Freeze Thai Coconut Soup?

We don’t recommend freezing this soup! The coconut milk will likely separate and become chunky once thawed.

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More of Our Favorite

More Gluten-Free Soup Recipes

  • Thai Curried Carrot Ginger Soup
  • Gluten Free Chicken Pho Gha
  • Curried Cauliflower Soup with Kale
  • Creamy Vegan Mushroom Soup

Print

Easy Thai Coconut Soup Recipe | Cotter Crunch (11)

Thai Coconut Soup Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 4 reviews

  • Author: Lindsay Cotter
  • Total Time: 26 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegan
Print Recipe

Description

Make this easy Thai coconut soup with lemongrass, ginger, chili paste, and coconut milk for a sweet, savory, creamy soup full of flavor and nutrients!

Ingredients

Units Scale

Aromatics/Broth

  • 1 Tablespoon light olive oil or avocado oil
  • 1 Tablespoon freshly grated ginger
  • 2 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 Tablespoon asian chili paste, adjust to spice preference (see notes)
  • 1 stalk fresh lemongrass, peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 23 teaspoons curry powder (see notes)
  • 4 cups organic broth or vegetable stock
  • 2 Tablespoons fish sauce or gluten free soy sauce
  • 1 Tablespoon raw sugar

Soup

  • 15ounce (2 cups) canned regular or light coconut milk
  • 8 ounces white mushroom caps, sliced
  • 2 teaspoons lime zest (1 lime)
  • Fresh lime juice

For Serving

  • Chopped scallions (green portion)
  • Fresh torn cilantro
  • 2 red Thai peppers (seeds in or removed), sliced for garnishing
  • Optional add-ins: cooked shrimp, chicken, tofu, etc.

Instructions

  1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat on the stovetop. Add ginger, garlic, chili paste, lemongrass, and curry powder. Cook, stirring often, for 1-2 minutes or until very fragrant.
  2. Stir in the broth, fish sauce, and sugar then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. Optional but could take away flavor – strain ginger/lemongrass from the broth.
  3. Pour in the coconut milk and stir until creamy. Add the mushrooms and lime zest. Continue to cook on low to medium-low heat until mushrooms are cooked through and soft or about 5 to 8 minutes. If using, the optional protein options can be added with the mushrooms.
  4. Stir in the lime juice; garnish with chopped scallions, cilantro and sliced red Thai pepper, if desired.
  5. Store cooled soup in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Notes

Substitute Tips 1 ½ Tablespoons lemongrass paste may be substituted for the fresh lemongrass.

Flavor Tips – The type of chili paste and curry powder makes a difference in taste/spiciness so adjust to your liking. I use a mild curry powder because my chili paste is hot, but you can also find hot curry powder such as Hot Madras Curry Powder.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 16 minutes
  • Category: soup
  • Method: stove top
  • Cuisine: Thai

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 203
  • Sugar: 7.9 g
  • Sodium: 480.1 mg
  • Fat: 13.3 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Carbohydrates: 12.4 g
  • Fiber: 1.3 g
  • Protein: 7.4 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

Easy Thai Coconut Soup Recipe | Cotter Crunch (12)

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Easy Thai Coconut Soup Recipe | Cotter Crunch (2024)

FAQs

What is the most popular Thai soup? ›

Tom Yum soup is the most popular Thai soup. In Thai, “tom” translates into “boiled” and “yum” refers to the traditional sour, salty and spicy flavor found in lots of Thai dishes.

What's the difference between Tom Yum and Tom Kha? ›

Tom Yum is much spicier, and has a clear broth. Tom Kha uses coconut milk to stabilize and mellow the flavors, making it both sweeter and slightly heavier. While both soups can be made with a variety of proteins, tom yum usually calls for shrimp, while tom kha is commonly made with chicken.

What is the history of Thai coconut soup? ›

History. Tom kha is a Thai soup that originated around 1890 and was first recorded in a Thai recipe book. The earliest recorded version of the soup was called Tom kha pet, and it featured duck and young galangal in a coconut milk-based curry.

Is coconut milk soup good for you? ›

Coconut milk may benefit health in several ways, such as by stimulating weight loss and lowering cholesterol. It can also add flavor to sweet and savory dishes and serve as an alternative to dairy milk. Coconut water is the liquid inside a coconut, while coconut milk comes from the fruit's white flesh.

What is the No 1 soup in the world? ›

According to the Taste Atlas Awards, the international food database, the Filipino favorite, Sinigang, is hailed as the best soup in the world.

What is Thailand's signature soup? ›

Tom Yum is one of the best known Thai dishes, a spicy, sour, and aromatic soup that is traditionally served with rice. It consists of shallots, lemongrass, fish sauce, minced fresh ginger or galangal, shrimps, mushrooms, kaffir lime leaves, lime juice, and minced Thai chili peppers.

Why does Thailand coconut taste different? ›

Ratchaburi Province, home to Copra's factory and source of all its coconuts, is an agricultural powerhouse in Thailand because of its soil and weather. Its dark, mineral-rich soil, abundant water and year-round sun ensure that the coconuts are extremely sweet.

What does Tom Yum mean in English? ›

Originated in Thailand, this is sometimes called Tom Yam and is a soup that normally includes shrimp in a hot and sour serving. The words Tom Yam mean “boiling” or “hot” and “spicy and sour” which perfectly describes this soup. As a staple Thai dish, this famous Tom Yum Goong is served in Thai Square.

What does tom kha mean in English? ›

Now that we've established that “tom” means “boiling a broth”, knowing that “kha” means galangal will quickly help us understand that this soup's main ingredient is the galangal (don't confuse it with “king” or ginger now!).

How do you thicken coconut milk soup? ›

If you don't want to change the coconut-rich flavor, use coconut flour for thickening the same as you would wheat or other flour. Remove some stock from the pot, let it cool, mix into it until you have a slurry, then return the slurry to the pot while constantly stirring and bring to a boil until thickened.

Is coconut cream or milk better for soup? ›

It is thicker, has a higher fat content and is scoop-able throughout. Coconut milk and cream are mostly interchangeable in recipes such as curries and soups. If you prefer a richer flavour and texture, try coconut cream or vice versa. However, be careful when substituting coconut milk and cream in baked goods.

What is the best coconut milk brand? ›

Plant Milk FAQs

Per our taste test, the best all-around brand in the carton is Vita Coco Coconut Milk Original Organic. The best in full-fat is Thai Kitchen 2 Simple Ingredients Coconut Milk Unsweetened, and the best in light is Thrive Market Organic Coconut Milk Lite.

What is the national soup of Thailand? ›

Tom Yum is often considered the national dish of Thailand. It is eaten everywhere by everyone. It is a staple meal in Thai culture, and is a firm favourite with tourists as well.

What is the most popular Thai dish? ›

1. Pad Thai: Stir-fried noodles. An iconic Thai dish, Pad Thai is usually made with flat rice noodles, combined with seafood (or chicken or pork), egg, sauces and vegetables such as bean sprouts and shallots, served with a sprinkle of fresh herbs, chilli and roasted peanuts (optional).

What is the most popular Thai noodle dish? ›

Pad Thai. As one of the most popular noodle dishes in Thailand, pad thai is a household name when it comes to authentic cuisine. Made with thin rice stick noodles, chefs stir fry egg, scallions, bean sprouts, and crushed peanuts with shrimp to deliver an unforgettable blend of flavors!

Are tom yum and Tom Yam the same? ›

Tom yum or tom yam is a type of hot and sour Thai soup, usually cooked with shrimp (prawn). Tom yum has its origin in Thailand. In recent years,tom yam has been popularised around the world. The words “tom yam” are derived from two Thai words.

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