Authentic Thai Tom Yum Goong

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A spicy and sour coconut broth with shrimp, lemongrass, and kaffir lime leaves. This thai-inspired asian ready in about 40 minutes pairs shrimp (peeled and deveined), stalks lemon grass (juliened), leaves kaffir lime leaves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 300 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 2 Thai cuisine 300 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat a large pot over medium heat, add 1 tbsp vegetable oil, then add 1 tbsp minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add 3 stalks lemongrass and 4 kaffir lime leaves, cooking for 1 minute until softened.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 1 tbsp grated galangal and 1 tbsp chili paste, cooking for 1 minute until aromatic. Add 1 cup coconut milk and 2 tbsp lime juice, bringing to a gentle simmer.
  3. Step 3: Pour in 1 tbsp soy sauce and 200g shrimp, cooking for 3-4 minutes until shrimp turn pink. Garnish with kaffir lime leaves and serve hot with rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Authentic Thai Tom Yum Goong take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Authentic Thai Tom Yum Goong?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep shrimp (peeled and deveined) from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Authentic Thai Tom Yum Goong?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Authentic Thai Tom Yum Goong for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Authentic Thai Tom Yum Goong?

Thai asian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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