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. Here’s what you’ll need:
- basmati rice
- medium shrimp
- butter
- onion
- red bell pepper
- red curry paste (green curry paste can also be used here)
- garlic
- ginger
- unsweetened coconut milk
- vegetable stock
- lime juice
- cilantro
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.
TOOLS FOR THIS RECIPE
CAN I SUBSTITUTE THE SHRIMP FOR CHICKEN?
Yes! Chicken is a great swap for the shrimp, and you can sub chicken stock for the vegetable stock as well.
WHAT BRAND OF RED CURRY PASTE DO YOU RECOMMEND?
I personally love Mae Ploy (contains shrimp paste). Thai Kitchen is also great, and more readily available at most grocery stores.
- 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
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.