Authentic Thai Tom Yum Goong
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.
Ingredients
- 200g shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 3 stalks lemon grass (juliened)
- 4 leaves kaffir lime leaves
- 1 tbsp galangal (grated)
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp chili paste (bird's eye)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.