Thai Soup

Our Thai Soup recipe uses fresh ingredients commonly used in Thai dishes which makes for a spicy, tangy soup. It includes toasted sesame oil, fresh ginger, soy sauce, carrots, cilantro, hot cherry peppers, tofu, and lime juice in a flavorful vegetable broth. It may not be an authentic Thai soup, but it tastes pretty close to what you would find in your favorite vegetarian Thai Restaurant.

How to Make Thai Soup

Making homemade soup is not difficult. Most soups are made in a similar way, adding the ingredients to a soup pan in oil a few at a time to build the flavor profile. Add broth and simmer your ingredients for a while and you have soup. The reward is a hot, delicious, life-giving meal.

Ingredients in Thai Soup

• Toasted Sesame Oil: This oil is strongly flavored and gives this soup a delicious nutty flavor.
• Garlic Cloves: Real garlic makes a huge difference in the flavor and depth of this homemade soup.
• Fresh Ginger: Peel the skin off your ginger and grate it directly into your pan.
• Tomato Paste: The paste version adds an intensified version of tomato flavor and you do not need much.
• Cremini or white mushrooms: Cremini mushrooms have more flavor but any mushroom will work in this dish.
• Vegetable Broth: or vegetarian non-chicken broth will work.
• Medium Carrots: Use regular carrots as they will have more flavor than baby carrots.
• Shredded Cabbage: You can also use coleslaw mix which is a huge timesaver.
• Lemongrass Stalks: See our note for instructions on how to use this traditional ingredient.
• Vegan Worcestershire Sauce: This ingredient is optional but it does add richness and flavor.
• Hot Cherry Peppers: Because it wouldn't be Thai Soup without a little bit of spice. You can also use Sambal Olek instead.
• Extra-firm Tofu: Cubed. You don't have to include the tofu, but it adds protein for a more complete one-dish meal.
• Fresh Chopped Cilantro and Sliced Scallions: added to the soup at the end to finish it off perfectly.
• Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice: This adds a little bit of freshness and acidity to counter the richness of this soup. You can also use lemon juice.

Step-By-Step Instructions for the Thai Soup Recipe

Start with a large soup pot so you have plenty of room for all of the ingredients, making this a one-dish meal. Heat the sesame oil and add garlic, ginger, and tomato paste.

Cook on medium heat until the tomato paste darkens in color. Then add the mushrooms. Once the mushrooms are cooked, they will shrink in size and darken in color as they cook.

Add the vegetable broth, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, carrots, cabbage, lemongrass, diced hot cherry peppers or Sambal Olek, and tofu.  Bring to a boil, turn the heat down and simmer your Thai soup for 30 minutes.

Remove the soup from the heat and add cilantro, scallions, and lime or lemon juice to finish off the soup. Cover the soup pot and let it sit until you are ready to eat.

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The Story Behind This Recipe

I love soup. It's funny because growing up, we didn't eat it that much. My mom used to make a couple of different kinds that we of course loved, but that didn't happen too often.

I started to really enjoy it after I moved to the US and got hit with my first snowstorm. I realized then, that cold was going to be my new reality. Freezing cold winters (at least compared to our winters in Barcelona!) and lots of snow. And nothing helped me cope with that better than a hot, steamy bowl of soup.

So I started to get creative and play with different ingredients. The possibilities? Endless!

I totally made up this recipe for Thai Soup, so it might not be the real thing... but let me tell you, I like it so much that it has become my new "chicken soup". Soothing, comforting, and the best remedy for (almost) everything.

And since the temperature just dropped about 25 degrees from yesterday, I'd say it's the perfect time for it.

FAQ

What is lemongrass?

Lemongrass is a tropical grass from South East Asia with aromatic stalks which is used as a flavoring in cooking many Asian dishes.

Where can I find lemongrass?

You should be able to find lemongrass at your local Asian market or specialty supermarket.

How to cook with lemongrass?

Take the lemongrass stalk and cut off ½ " from the bottom. where the hard bulb is and about 2" from the top.  Peel 2 layers of the leaves. With a wooden spoon hit the lemongrass until it releases some of its fragrant smell. 

What are popular Thai soups?

• Tom Kha soup. This is a  creamy coconut soup and is ever so slightly sour. It almost always have mushrooms and cilantro. 
• Tom Yum Soup. This soup is usually made with a clear broth base and shrimp. It is a sweet and sour soup with plenty of spice.

What is the difference between Tom Yum and Tom Kha?

Tom Kha soup has a coconut milk base and Tom Yum has a clear broth base. These soups have a completely different flavor profile.

Making Thai Soup Vegan

To make this soup vegan, you just need to make sure you grab a vegan version of Worcestershire sauce or leave that ingredient out. That's it! The Thai Soup recipe is pretty much Vegan without an adaptation.

What To Serve With Thai Soup

Our lovely Thai Soup Recipe can be served as the first course for any more formal Thai-themed meal, or as the main course for your casual lunch or dinner any time. Enjoy the soup with any of the following Thai-Inspired Recipes.

Other Thai Recipes

• Vegan Pad Thai Noodle Salad
• Vegan Thai Lettuce Cups with Peanut Sauce
• Thai Green Papaya Salad
• Thai Coconut Soup

If you enjoyed this recipe, it would help us tremendously if you left us a star rating in the comments below or on the recipe card. Do you have any questions about the recipe or do you need a swap for any of the ingredients? We are here to help, just leave us a question in the comments below.

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