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.

Easy Thai Coconut Soup Recipe | Cotter Crunch (2)

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.
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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

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Easy Thai Coconut Soup Recipe | Cotter Crunch (2024)

FAQs

Can I replace coconut milk with milk? ›

If you prefer to go the coconut-free route (or if you don't have coconut shreds, cream, oil, water, or butter on hand), you can use plain old milk — whichever kind you prefer. Whatever you're making won't have the same flavor as it would with coconut, which may make things like curries taste a little flat.

How to thicken coconut 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.

Can you use coconut cream instead of coconut milk in curry? ›

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.

Can I use sour cream instead of coconut milk? ›

4. Sour cream. Sour cream is yet another dairy product that works well as a thickener in curries and soups! Sour cream has a sweeter, more distinctive flavor than Greek yogurt; it's a better match to the fat content found in coconut milk.

What is a substitute for coconut milk in soup? ›

The Best Coconut Milk Substitutes
  1. Coconut Cream. I often dilute coconut cream with water to make my own coconut milk. ...
  2. Whipping Cream. If you're OK with dairy, regular whipping cream is an easy coconut milk substitute. ...
  3. Nut Butter or Tahini. ...
  4. Greek Yoghurt. ...
  5. Canned tomatoes or passata. ...
  6. Home Made Coconut Milk.

Can I use evaporated milk instead of coconut milk? ›

Evaporated milk is an excellent substitute for coconut milk in soups or creamy dishes and can be used at a 1:1 ratio. It's made by heating cow's milk to remove up to 60% of its water content. Still, this thick, slightly caramelized product isn't suitable for people who don't consume dairy (11).

How do you add coconut milk to soup without curdling? ›

Add a teaspoon of cornstarch to a dish to prevent curdling of coconut milk. Adding cornstarch will also thicken the sauce, so don't use it if you're making a dish that requires a thin sauce.

How to make Thai soup thicker? ›

There are plenty of ways to thicken the sauce if you do it right. You can use mashed potatoes or flour. Corn flour can be used as well and you can use cream mixed with coconut milk. You can also use gram flour.

How long to boil coconut milk? ›

Pour the coconut milk into a small saucepan, and heat over medium-high heat until boiling, about 5 minutes. Watch this pot closely! Once the coconut milk starts to boil, it can bubble over quickly. Whisk regularly to prevent burning.

Does Thai curry use coconut cream or milk? ›

Both coconut cream and milk are staples in Thai cuisine, often used as a base for soups and curries. Choosing the right coconut milk can make all the difference to your dish.

What is healthier, coconut milk or heavy cream? ›

Heavy cream has signficantly more Vitamin D than coconut cream. Coconut cream is a great source of dietary fiber and iron, and it is an excellent source of potassium. Both coconut cream and heavy cream are high in calories and saturated fat. Coconut cream has signficantly less cholesterol than heavy cream.

Which is better, coconut cream or coconut milk? ›

Coconut Cream vs Coconut Milk

Compared to normal coconut milk, coconut cream has a much higher fat content, containing around 19-22% fat. Coconut cream still retains the delicious coconut flavor that coconut milk has, but is much thicker as it is essentially coconut milk with less water.

What is a substitute for coconut milk in Thai curry? ›

Our answer. If you don't like the taste of coconut milk (or some people also avoid coconut milk as it has a high fat content) then you could use either soy milk or almond milk as alternatives. However make sure that you use an unsweetened, unflavoured version of these milks.

Why does my coconut cream taste sour? ›

You will know when it goes bad because it will taste sour as the sugars ferment. Even then, as long as it's not contaminated, it's not really dangerous because it just turns into what it tastes like - vinegar. Coconuts stored even longer turns alcoholic.

What is better than coconut milk? ›

Compared to coconut milk, almond milk has fewer calories, fat, and carbohydrates. 4 There are also more varieties of almond milk than coconut milk, such as original, vanilla, chocolate, sweetened, and unsweetened making almond milk more versatile.

Is coconut milk the same as normal milk? ›

However, coconut milk is not nutritionally comparable to cow's milk, with a lower protein and a much higher saturated fat level. If you do choose it as your product of choice you should be aware that only the fortified coconut 'drink' products will supply comparable amounts of nutrients, like calcium.

How does coconut milk compare to milk? ›

Coconut milk is slightly lower in calories than other milk alternatives and also contains nearly no protein. It does, however, have slightly more total fat than 2% reduced-fat cow's milk and more saturated fat than other plant-based milk alternatives due to the high-fat content of coconuts.

Can you put milk in a curry? ›

Coconut milk is a vegan option for all curries. You can also try adding a splash of milk, if that's all you have to hand. Milk contains a protein called casein which actually breaks down capsaicin and makes it less spicy – both full-fat and skimmed do the trick nicely.

Can you drink coconut milk like regular milk? ›

Coconut milk is one of the most preferred non-dairy milk substitutes. Thick coconut milk retains more fat than thin coconut milk. Drinking coconut milk in moderation can be good for you. It is however high in fat content.

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