Easy Thai Shrimp Soup
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Skip the take-out and try making this at home – it’s unbelievably easy and 10000x tastier and healthier!
I am such a sucker for Thai take-out, particularly for red curry and coconut soup. But ordering take-out has been getting a bit costly so this homemade coconut curry soup comes in very handy, especially during the cold, winter months. And the leftovers taste a million times better too.
Best of all, it’s so easy to make and it doesn’t require ingredients that are hard to find. And if you’re not a fan of shrimp, you can easily swap that out for chicken, pork or even tofu for a vegetarian option.
Either way, you’ll be sure to skip your usual Thai take-out and indulge in this budget-friendly version instead.
Easy Thai Shrimp Soup: Frequently Asked Questions
You can thaw frozen shrimp overnight, transferring it from the freezer to the fridge the day before. For a quick thaw, you can run them under cold water until completely thawed, about 5-10 minutes. Pat them dry as thoroughly as possible to remove any excess moisture.
Yes! Chicken is a great swap for the shrimp, and you can sub chicken stock for the vegetable stock as well.
I personally love Mae Ploy (contains shrimp paste). Thai Kitchen is also great, and more readily available at most grocery stores.
Easy Thai Shrimp Soup
Ingredients
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 2 tablespoons red curry paste
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
- 1 (12-ounce) can unsweetened coconut milk
- 3 cups vegetable stock
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves
Instructions
- In a large saucepan of 1 1 /2 cups water, cook rice according to package instructions; set aside.
- Season shrimp with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Melt butter in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium high heat. Add shrimp, and cook, stirring occasionally, until pink, about 2-3 minutes; set aside.
- Add onion and bell pepper to the Dutch oven. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 3-4 minutes.
- Stir in red curry paste, garlic and ginger until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
- Stir in coconut milk and vegetable stock; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until slightly thickened, about 8-10 minutes.
- Stir in rice, shrimp, lime juice and cilantro.
- Serve immediately.
Did you make this recipe?
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Could this be made substituting curry powder instead of red curry paste? I have all of the other ingredients but this one. We’re stuck at home due to snow and ice. I can’t get to a store, but would love to have this for dinner tomorrow!
Nell, unfortunately this will not turn out the same using curry powder. It is best to use red curry paste.
Thanks! Looks like I’m making your spinach and white bean soup tomorrow instead and saving this one for when I can pick up red curry paste.
I can’t wait to make this! Does the basmati rice just cook in the broth?
Melanie, the rice should be cooked separately as indicated in the first step of the instructions:
In a large saucepan of 1 1 /2 cups water, cook rice according to package instructions; set aside.
Is the 1 1/2 cup of water in addition to the cooking instructions of the rice? Does the extra water go into the soup?
Extra water does not go into the soup. The 1 1/2 cups of water is for the rice only.
I am making this soup tonight for dinner. I have tried several of meals and they are excellent. I really like your cooking website and I look at it nearly everyday. Keep up the good work and thank you for doing such a great job!
Best. Soup. Ever! We just finished supper and had this soup for a starter. Everyone had 2 bowls. For our main course, we devoured your Honey Walnut Shrimp. Outstanding recipes, thank you so much for sharing.
Discovered your blog two nights ago and made garlic shrimp penne for myself. Tonight it’ll be Thai. I love how simple and easy to follow the recipes are. Love your blog ! Count me as a fan <3!
I made this last night. LOVE IT!
This was so good, and so satisfying.
Because of the high calorie and fat content, it’s not something I can have everyday, but for this cold, dreary, rainy week, it was sunshine and comfort in a bowl. One bowl made a very filling and delicious dinner.
I made this with jasmine rice because that’s what I had on hand, and I had to search my local groceries for red curry paste. How have I lived so long without this ingredient in my cupboard?
I will make this again. Thanks for this damn delicious soup!
Its delicious! What bread would you serve with it ? Something plain and crusty or none at all?
That’s really up to you – we just served this as is but if you like bread with your meals, either would work!
Does the recipe call for sweetened or unsweetened coconut milk? I bought unsweetened but now I’m wondering if I should have gotten sweetened to balance out the heat.
It is best to use unsweetened coconut milk.
This soup looks amazingly delicious… as do all your recipes and photos! Definitely pinning this and making it asap! Thanks for sharing♡
I made this tonight and it’s great! I had to make a couple of substitutions because of what I had on hand (green instead of red peppers, dried cilantro instead of fresh, and I left out lime juice because I didn’t have any), but it still tasted great and I know it would taste just as good as written.
Also, for those looking to lighten this up, a tablespoon of olive oil and light coconut milk hold up very well against butter and regular coconut milk.
Just made this and it’s fantastic! Thanks for the new different recipe…I love all the soups I’ve tried from your blog. Ramen,Tortellini,and this one. All fabulous! I make the Ramen one at least once a week.
I love Thai food and order it often but never make something on my own. This soup looks really easy to prepare and think to try it.
Do you recommend a particular brand of curry paste?
I personally prefer the Mae Ploy brand.
Thank you! I’m making it tonight with Mae Ploy.
I made this tonight and it was so good! I can’t eat rice due to allergies, but I added chunks of sweet potatoes to it instead. It was delicious! Great recipe! Thank you!
Delicious recipe. I did use dried ginger (1/8+ teaspoon) and it worked well. My soup never really “thickened” much, but I think it’s supposed to be a very brothy soup like many Asian soups. I added firm tofu and cut shrimp each shrimp in two so each spoonful had a little of everything. I made it after work and had it for dinner. It was the best. Thank you.
Mine didn’t thicken at all either so I’m glad to know I didn’t mess up!
made this tonight- it was just amazing! Absolutely perfect. Thank you thank you thank you from New Zealand!
Made this tonight for dinner – it was soo good!! used basmati rice. LOVE your website and recipes. Wish more people would leave reviews of the actual food vs the pictures – its sooo worth it! Have made a ton of your recipes and am never disappointed. Keep up the fabulous work!
Hi! I made this soup and it’s delicious. I love yours recipes, are easy and yummi. The ingredients are easy found. Regards from Panama.
Any particular kind of rice? Want to make this tonight!
I prefer basmati but it’s really up to you!
Such a beautiful looking soup. I love the flavor combinations!