Thai Hot And Sour Shrimp Soup Made To Enjoy With Exotic Ingredients

by Julia
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July 14, 2023

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Embark on a culinary adventure to the vibrant streets of Thailand with our Thai Hot And Sour Shrimp Soup Recipe. This tantalizing dish features succulent shrimp, bathed in a spicy, tangy broth that’s bursting with the flavors of lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and galangal. The addition of plump mushrooms and fresh cilantro adds an earthy depth, while the chili peppers provide a fiery kick that will awaken your senses and leave you craving more. It’s a symphony of flavors that encapsulates the essence of Thai cuisine in every spoonful.

Immerse yourself in a vibrant culinary journey as we delve into the heart of Thailand’s cuisine with our Thai Hot and Sour Shrimp Soup recipe.

With succulent shrimp, zesty lime, fiery chilies, and an enchanting melody of aromatic herbs, this recipe transports you to the bustling street markets of Bangkok.

Perfect for those seeking an authentic experience, it caters to adventurous taste buds yearning for an irresistible, healthy dish. It’s not just a meal; it’s an invitation to explore an uncharted world of flavors. Prepare to be captivated by this soup’s magic – the essence of Thai cuisine in a bowl.

What Is A Thai Hot And Sour Shrimp Soup?

Thai hot and sour shrimp soup, also known as Tom Yum Goong, is a popular and flavorful dish in Thai cuisine. It typically consists of a spicy and tangy broth flavored with ingredients like lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, fish sauce, lime juice, and chili peppers.

The soup is then filled with plump shrimp, mushrooms, tomatoes, and sometimes other vegetables or herbs. The combination of spicy, sour, and aromatic flavors makes it a refreshing and comforting dish, often served as a starter or as part of a larger meal in Thai restaurants.

Can You Vary The Recipe With Other Ingredients?

Thai Hot and Sour Shrimp Soup recipes can be varied to suit various dietary needs:

Keto This soup is already low in carbs, making it suitable for a ketogenic diet. However, watch out for added sugars in pre-made broths or sauces and opt for homemade or sugar-free versions.
Paleo The original recipe is quite Paleo-friendly. Just ensure that the fish sauce and broth you use do not contain any non-Paleo additives or preservatives.
Gluten-Free Ensure your fish sauce is gluten-free; some brands may contain wheat. If in doubt, you can substitute with coconut aminos, which are naturally gluten-free.
Whole30 To make this soup Whole30 compliant, use a sugar-free broth and replace the traditional fish sauce with Red Boat fish sauce or coconut aminos.
Vegetarian And Vegan To make the soup vegetarian or vegan, replace the shrimp with tofu or vegetables like bell peppers, baby corn, and bok choy. Use vegetable broth instead of shrimp broth, and substitute fish sauce with soy sauce or tamari.

Recipe Directions

In a pot, bring the chicken or vegetable broth to a simmer over medium heat.
Add the lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves (if using), galangal or ginger, and Thai bird’s eye chilies. Let the broth simmer for about 10 minutes to infuse the flavors.
Add the shrimp and mushrooms to the broth. Cook until the shrimp turn pink and are cooked through, which usually takes 2-3 minutes.
Stir in the fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar. Taste and adjust the seasoning by adding more fish sauce for saltiness or lime juice for acidity.
Remove the lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and galangal or ginger from the soup before serving. Discard them.
Ladle the Thai Hot and Sour Shrimp Soup into bowls. Garnish with chopped cilantro leaves and sliced green onions.

Variations, Add-Ons And Toppings

Variations

Tom Yum Nam Khon: This is creamy and includes coconut or evaporated milk for a richer, smoother taste.
Chicken Or Tofu: Chicken (Tom Yum Gai) or tofu can be substituted for those who prefer not to eat shrimp.
Vegetable Tom Yum: A completely vegetable-based soup using a vegetable broth and an assortment of veggies like bell peppers, bok choy, and baby corn.

Add-Ons

Noodles: To make the soup a more substantial meal, you can add rice noodles.
Additional Vegetables: You can enhance the soup’s nutritional profile by adding more vegetables, such as bok choy, bell peppers, snap peas, or baby corn.
Spices: Increase the heat with extra chili, or add a unique flavor with ingredients like tamarind paste or Thai basil.

Toppings

Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle fresh cilantro, Thai basil, or green onions for added aroma and flavor.
Chili Oil: Drizzle some chili oil on top for an extra spicy kick.
Lime Wedges: Serve with lime wedges on the side, allowing each person to adjust the soup’s sourness to their liking.
Roasted Peanuts: Crushed for a bit of crunch and added depth of flavor.

Can I Make Soup In A Slow Cooker Or Instant Pot?

You can prepare the Thai Hot and Sour Shrimp Soup (Tom Yum Goong) in a slow cooker or Instant Pot. Here’s a brief guideline for each:

Slow Cooker

Add all the ingredients except the shrimp and lime juice to your slow cooker.
Cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
Add the shrimp during the last 30 minutes of cooking to avoid overcooking them.
Stir in the lime juice just before serving for a fresh, sour kick.

Instant Pot

Select the “Sauté” function and allow the Instant Pot to heat up. Add the stock, sambal oelek, mushrooms, lime zest, and fish sauce.
Seal the Instant Pot and cook on high pressure for 5 minutes.
Quick-release the pressure, open the pot, and add the shrimp. The residual heat should be enough to cook the shrimp in a few minutes.
Stir in the lime juice just before serving.

Can I Use Store Broth, Or Should I Make My Own?

You can conveniently use store-bought broth when making Thai Hot and Sour Shrimp Soup.

Whether it’s chicken or vegetable broth, many high-quality options are available. Look for low-sodium versions, as this allows you to control the saltiness of the soup more precisely with your seasonings.

However, if you have the time and ingredients, homemade broth can add more flavor to your soup. Homemade broth allows for customization and often has a fresher, richer flavor than store-bought versions.

How To Serve ?

Thai Hot and Sour Shrimp Soup (Tom Yum Goong) is versatile and can be served in several ways:

As A Starter: You can serve it as an appetizer before the main course. It’s a great way to warm the palate with its vibrant flavors.
As A Main Dish: Paired with steamed jasmine rice or rice noodles, the soup can be a satisfying main dish.
In A Soup Bowl: Serve the soup in a deep bowl to maintain its warmth, and ensure you get a bit of shrimp, mushroom, and broth in each spoonful.
Garnishing: Just before serving, garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and a wedge of lime. The guests can squeeze in extra lime juice to their liking.
Accompaniments: If you like extra heat, serve it with different slices of red chili or chili flakes on the side.
Serving Temperature: The soup is best served hot to enjoy its aromatic flavors.

Perfect Side Dishes To Complement Soup Recipe

Thai Hot and Sour Shrimp Soup is a flavor-packed dish, and it pairs well with several side dishes that can complement its vibrant taste:

Steamed Jasmine Rice: This is a classic accompaniment to many Thai dishes, including soup. The mild, fragrant jasmine rice can help balance the soup’s robust flavors.
Spring Rolls: Crispy vegetable or shrimp spring rolls would provide a nice texture contrast to the soup.
Thai Green Salad: A fresh salad with greens, cucumber, and a light, tangy dressing can offer a refreshing counterpoint to the hot and sour soup.
Grilled Or Steamed Vegetables: Simply seasoned and cooked vegetables can be a nice side that doesn’t compete with the soup’s strong flavors.
Thai Sticky Rice With Mango: This classic Thai dessert would be a great choice for a sweet ending to your meal.
Satay Skewers: Chicken or tofu satay skewers with peanut sauce could add a rich, nutty flavor that pairs well with the soup.

Storage And Make Ahead

Storage: After preparing Thai hot and sour shrimp soup, let it cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to maintain freshness and flavor.
Freezing: If you want to store the soup for longer, freeze it in a freezer-safe container or freezer bags for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Make Ahead: This soup is perfect for making ahead. Prepare the soup up to 2 days in advance, excluding delicate ingredients like shrimp and herbs. Add these just before serving for the best taste and texture.

What Can We Do With Leftovers?

Noodle Soup Base: Use the leftover broth as a flavorful base for noodle soup. Add cooked noodles, fresh vegetables, and protein like chicken or tofu for a quick and satisfying meal.
Rice Flavoring: Heat up the broth and pour it over cooked rice for an instant Thai-inspired rice dish. You can also mix in leftover shrimp and vegetables for added texture and flavor.
Stir-Fry Sauce: Reduce the leftover broth to concentrate its flavors and use it as a sauce for stir-fried vegetables, shrimp, or chicken. Serve over rice or noodles for a complete meal.
Marinade: The tangy and spicy flavors of the soup make for an excellent marinade for grilled or baked seafood like shrimp or fish. Simply coat the protein in the leftover soup and let it marinate for a few hours before cooking.
Dipping Sauce: Strain out any solids from the leftover soup to create a flavorful dipping sauce for spring rolls, dumplings, or grilled meats.

TIPS

Enhance the broth by using a combination of fresh lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and galangal for authentic Thai flavors.
For an extra kick, add thinly sliced Thai bird’s eye chilies, adjusting the amount according to your spice tolerance.
Balance the sourness with tamarind paste or lime juice, adding gradually until reaching the desired tangy flavor.
Incorporate fresh shrimp, but don’t overcook them to maintain their tender texture.
To elevate the soup’s complexity, include mushrooms such as straw mushrooms or shiitake for earthy undertones.
Add a spoonful of fish sauce for depth of flavor and saltiness, adjusting to taste.