Thai Lemongrass Soup Recipe (Tom Yum Without Coconut Milk)

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This Thai lemongrass soup recipe is quick and easy to make, packed with delicious spicy and sour flavors. It’s a version of tom yum without coconut milk, made with chicken and healthy vegetables, perfect for a comfort food at home that’s tastier than takeout!

Thai lemongrass soup with chicken, tomatoes, galangal, and kaffir lime leaves served in a pot.

Note: For this recipe, you’ll need to make my homemade tom yum paste. It stores for a long time in the fridge, and you can just add a spoonful to infuse delicious tom yum flavors into anything in a matter of seconds!

This Thai soup is made without coconut milk, so be warned: the end result is a spicy lemongrass soup. For a creamier, milder version, you can try my recipe for tom yum gai soup with evaporated milk. And if you love hot and sour soups, be sure to also try tom yum talay with seafood.

What is Thai lemongrass soup

Thai lemongrass soup, or tom yum, is a classic dish in Thai cuisine with a spicy and sour broth and zesty flavors of lemongrass and fresh herbs. The soup usually includes shrimp or chicken, making it a healthy and refreshing meal option for lunch or dinner.

Tom yum nam sai

Tom yum nam sai is the Thai name for the soup we’re making today. It’s a spicy clear Thai soup known for its hot and sour flavors. Unlike other variations of tom yum, this one is made without evaporated milk or coconut milk, resulting in a spicier and lighter broth.

Close-up of Thai lemongrass chicken soup.

Tom yum nam khon is the Thai name for a creamy tom yum soup with evaporated milk or coconut milk. For a taste of this creamier version, you can try my tom yum kung recipe.

As you probably know by now, this dish is perfect for those who love spicy Thai soups. If you’ve made the recipe and find the soup too spicy for your taste, you can simply add some coconut milk to make it creamier and milder. And if you’re cooking for kids, you might want to try tom kha gai!

Thai lemongrass chicken soup

This is a recipe for Thai lemongrass soup with chicken, but you can also use other meats, shrimp, or even a seafood mix.

It’s a warm, soothing soup with a spicy kick that’s easy to make at home. The broth is very aromatic, with many fresh herbs and spices. The key ingredient is, of course, lemongrass, and I recommend using fresh lemongrass to achieve the tastiest zesty and lemony flavors.

Hand-gathered lemongrass stalks held in front of a lemongrass bush.

Galangal and kaffir lime leaves are two more must-haves in this Thai soup with lemongrass. All these spices create a complex yet balanced flavor profile that’s hard to replicate.

And hey, you can totally make this soup as spicy as you want to. The heat mostly comes from my Thai chili paste, but you can add more dried chilies to taste. I suggest quickly frying and draining them before tossing them into the broth for more spice.

It’s the perfect recipe for when you want some authentic Thai food at home. Sure, Thai restaurants can be fun, but sometimes we just want to cozy up with our family and friends and something deliciously homemade, right?!

Ingredients

Ingredients can be sourced at Asian grocery stores and Asian markets.
The exact measurements are in the recipe card at the end of this post.

Chicken – You can use both bone-in cuts and bone-out chicken thighs and opt for skin-on or skin-off as per your preference. Thighs bring a rich, juicy texture and the bones can contribute to a deeply flavored bone broth. Chicken breasts can be used as a lean alternative and is ideal for a lighter, less fatty soup for a quick dinner.
Kaffir lime leaves – Kaffir lime leaves add a burst of zestiness with a citrusy aroma, elevating the soup’s complex flavor. You can find these fresh, dried, or frozen at Asian supermarkets.
Lemongrass – Lemongrass is a staple in Thai cooking, infusing the soup with a fresh, citrusy aroma.
Galangal – Galangal, a family of ginger, adds a spicy, earthy kick with a warm peppery note. In Thai cuisine, galangal is used on a regular basis, and many Thais have galangal growing in their yard.
Coriander – Adds a refreshing note to the soup. Feel free to garnish with more coriander before serving.
Rosdee seasoning powder – Rosdee is a popular Thai seasoning powder that enhances the overall flavors of this spicy lemongrass soup. A substitute for this Thai bouillon is a different chicken stock bouillon powder, like Knorr.
Tom yum paste – My tom yum paste recipe is the heart of this Thai lemongrass soup. Made with tamarind paste, palm sugar, fish sauce, shallots, makrut lime leaves, and chilies, it infuses anything it touches with the classic hot and sour tom yum flavors we all love.
Thai chili paste – My Thai chili paste recipe for nam prik pao infuses the chicken lemongrass broth with a unique spicy flavor thanks to the mix of shrimp paste, dry red spur chilies, garlic, and salt.
Large tomato – You can substitute this with small tomatoes like cherry tomatoes if that’s what you have on hand.
Onion
Salt
Water

How to make Thai lemongrass soup

Cooking process of Thai lemongrass in a soup with a spicy clear broth.

Step 1: Place a pot over medium heat and add water, kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass, galangal, seasoning powder, salt, tom yum paste, Thai chili paste, and sliced onion. Bring to a boil.

Final stage of Thai lemongrass soup cooking process.

Step 2: Once boiling, add sliced tomatoes and chicken. Let the soup simmer over medium heat until the chicken is cooked. Remove from heat and garnish with coriander. Serve immediately and enjoy.

Kitchenware

Cutting board and sharp knife
Measuring spoons and cups
Large pot or Dutch oven
Strainer (if you want to remove larger herbs and spices before serving)
Ladle

Tips for making spicy Thai chicken soup

Balance the flavors: Thai cuisine is all about balancing spicy, sour, salty, and sweet. Taste-test before serving and adjust the seasonings to your taste if needed.
Vegetable options: Feel free to add other soup vegetables, like bok choy, shiitake mushrooms, and sugar snap peas.
Fresh ingredients: For the most authentic and fresh flavors, use fresh lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, and chicken.
Don’t overcook: Avoid overcooking the chicken, this will make it tough rather than tender and juicy.
Spice it up: This soup is a healthy choice and perfect for spice-lovers. Add more Thai chili paste or add dried chilies to make it spicier. Alternatively, you can sprinkle with red pepper flakes.

How to serve Thai soup with lemongrass

Serve Thai chicken lemongrass soup in deep bowls, balancing chicken and vegetables in each serving. Garnish with cilantro, Thai basil, or green onions, adding a lime wedge and red chili slices or red pepper flakes for flavor. Pair with steamed jasmine rice or Thai sticky rice for a more filling meal.

How to store Thai chicken lemongrass soup

Storing: Allow your Thai lemongrass soup leftovers to cool to room temperature and store it in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Freezing: You can freeze leftovers for later – simply store it in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.

Reheating: Warm the soup over medium heat on the stove until hot. For a quicker option, you can reheat the soup in the microwave.

Frequently asked questions

Where to buy lemongrass?

Lemongrass can be purchased at Asian markets, specialty food stores, and many supermarkets. It’s often found in the fresh produce section.

How can I transform this into a vegetarian soup?

You can substitute chicken with tofu or mushrooms and other vegetables for a plant based soup. Be aware that the tom yum paste and chili paste used in this recipe call for fish sauce and shrimp paste.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, the ingredients used in this recipe are gluten-free, as long as you ensure that your pastes and other condiments are gluten-free.

My soup is too spicy!

If your soup is too spicy, you can add a bit of coconut milk or evaporated milk to make it creamy and balance out the spiciness. Serving it with rice can help too.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes, this soup is suited for meal-prep. Just prep ahead and reheat when you’re ready.

Is Thai lemongrass soup healthy?

Thai lemongrass soup is considered healthy due to its use of fresh ingredients like lemongrass, herbs, and lean proteins such as chicken or shrimp. It’s low in calories, rich in vitamins, and offers anti-inflammatory benefits from the herbs and spices used, making it a nutritious choice.

Can I make this in an instant pot?

Yes, this Thai lemongrass soup can be made in your instant pot.

Authentic Thai soup recipes

Thai chicken glass noodle soup
Thai bamboo soup
Tom jued soup (healthy vegetable soup)
Boat noodles
Tom yum pla (Thai fish soup)
Khao tom (Thai rice soup)

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