Tom Yum Soup is a bright and zesty dish that brings excitement to your taste buds! With shrimp, mushrooms, and a blend of spicy herbs, it’s both warming and refreshing.
This soup is perfect when you need a pick-me-up or want to impress friends at dinner. I love slurping it up with some rice—so cozy! 🍜
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Lemongrass: This ingredient adds a citrusy flavor. If you don’t have lemongrass, you can try lemon zest as a substitute for a fresh aroma, but the flavor will be slightly different.
Kaffir Lime Leaves: They provide a unique fragrance and zest. If unavailable, use lime zest in a pinch, keeping in mind it won’t have the same depth of flavor.
Galangal: The best for authentic taste, but fresh ginger can work if you can’t find galangal. The flavor will shift slightly, but it still gives a nice touch.
Shrimp: Feel free to swap shrimp for chicken or tofu for a vegetarian version. Just adjust cooking times accordingly.
Mushrooms: Straw mushrooms are traditional, but button or shiitake mushrooms are great alternatives if you can’t find them.
How Can You Achieve a Flavorful Broth?
The broth is the backbone of your Tom Yum Soup, so making it flavorful is key! Here’s how:
- Start with high-quality broth: Chicken broth adds richness, while vegetable broth keeps it lighter.
- Simmer the aromatics: When you add lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and galangal, let them simmer for at least 10 minutes. This draws out their essential oils and flavors.
- Taste along the way: After adding fish sauce and lime juice, adjust to get the right balance of salty, sour, and spicy that suits your taste.
Remember, every ingredient plays a role in building the broth’s character, so enjoy the process!
How to Make Tom Yum Soup
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Soup:
- 4 cups water or chicken broth
- 1 stalk lemongrass, cut into 2-inch pieces and smashed
- 3-4 kaffir lime leaves, torn
- 3 slices galangal (or ginger if unavailable)
- 2-3 Thai red chilies, smashed
- 200g shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails on or off as preferred)
- 100g straw mushrooms or button mushrooms, halved or sliced
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon lime juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2-3 sprigs fresh cilantro or Thai basil (for garnish)
- Optional: 1 small tomato, quartered
- Optional: 1 shallot, sliced thinly
- 2 cloves garlic, smashed
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 15 minutes to prepare and about 20 minutes to cook. So, in total, you can enjoy a delicious bowl of Tom Yum Soup in just about 35 minutes!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Broth:
In a medium pot, bring the water or chicken broth to a boil over medium-high heat. The broth is the base of the flavors, so make sure it’s nice and hot!
2. Add Aromatics:
Once boiling, add in the smashed lemongrass, torn kaffir lime leaves, galangal slices, smashed chilies, garlic, and shallots. Lower the heat and let it simmer gently for about 10 minutes. This will help all those wonderful flavors blend together.
3. Add Vegetables:
Now, it’s time to add your mushrooms (and the tomato if you’re using it). Cook for another 3-5 minutes until the mushrooms are tender.
4. Cook the Shrimp:
Next, add the shrimp to the pot. Cook them just until they turn pink and opaque, which will take about 2-3 minutes. Be careful not to overcook them!
5. Season the Soup:
Stir in the fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar. Taste your soup and adjust the seasoning if needed. You want a lovely balance of salty, sour, and spicy flavors!
6. Final Touches:
Remove the soup from heat and discard the lemongrass stems and galangal slices—these are just for flavoring. They’re not meant to be eaten!
7. Serve It Up:
Ladle the hot soup into bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro or Thai basil leaves for that final touch of freshness.
8. Enjoy!
Serve the soup hot, and for a complete meal, pair it with steaming jasmine rice. Enjoy the vibrant and aromatic flavors of this delicious traditional Thai Tom Yum Soup!
Can I Use Frozen Shrimp for This Recipe?
Absolutely! Just be sure to thaw the shrimp completely before adding them to the soup. The best way to thaw shrimp is to place them in the refrigerator overnight or to run them under cold water in a sealed bag for a quick thaw.
What Can I Substitute for Galangal?
If you can’t find galangal, fresh ginger is a suitable alternative. While it won’t impart the exact same flavor, it will still give a nice warmth and depth to your soup.
How Do I Adjust the Spiciness?
If you prefer a milder soup, you can reduce the number of Thai red chilies or remove the seeds before smashing them. Alternatively, if you like it spicier, consider adding a pinch of chili flakes or fresh sliced chili at the end for an extra kick!
Can I Store Leftover Soup?
Yes! Store any leftover Tom Yum Soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, just warm it gently on the stove or in the microwave, being careful not to overcook the shrimp again.
