Thai-Inspired Tom Yum Soup with Shrimp
A fiery and tangy broth infused with lemongrass, kaffir lime, and chili, served with succulent shrimp. This thai-inspired soups ready in about 45 minutes pairs shrimp, lemon grass, kaffir lime leaves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 12 pcs (medium) shrimp
- 2 stalks (tender white part, sliced) lemon grass
- 6 leaves (chopped) kaffir lime leaves
- 1-inch piece (grated) galangal
- 2 red (chopped, adjust to taste) chili
- 1 can (400 ml) coconut milk
- 2 small (juiced, 1/2 cup) lime
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 cups vegetable broth
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, sauté lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, and chili over medium heat for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 2: Add coconut milk, lime juice, fish sauce, brown sugar, and vegetable broth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
- Step 3: Add shrimp and cook for 3-4 minutes until pink and opaque. Remove from heat and adjust seasoning with salt if needed.
- Step 4: Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro and lime wedges.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Thai-Inspired Tom Yum Soup with Shrimp take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (20 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 Thai-Inspired Tom Yum Soup with Shrimp?
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 from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Thai-Inspired Tom Yum Soup with Shrimp?
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 Thai-Inspired Tom Yum Soup with Shrimp for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Thai-Inspired Tom Yum Soup with Shrimp?
Thai soups 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
- ★★★★★
Quick to prep and the results are amazing. A real keeper.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.







