How to Make the Perfect Tom Yum
Thai · Easy · 25 min · 4 servings
Tom Yum is Thailand most famous soup, a fiery and sour broth loaded with lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, and plump shrimp that delivers an invigorating punch of heat and brightness. It is a quintessential Thai dish that showcases the bold and aromatic character of Thai cooking in a single bowl.
Why this recipe works
This Tom Yum recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 25 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 210 calories with 22g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 300 g large shrimp peeled and deveined
- 3 stalks lemongrass bruised and sliced
- 5 slices fresh galangal
- 3 tbsp fish sauce
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 200 g straw mushrooms or button mushrooms halved
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Build the Broth
Bring 4 cups of water or light chicken stock to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the lemongrass, galangal, and 4 kaffir lime leaves and simmer for 5 minutes to infuse the broth with aromatics.
Step 2: Add Chilies and Mushrooms
Add 3 to 5 Thai bird chilies crushed to your desired heat level, along with the mushrooms. Simmer for 3 minutes until the mushrooms are tender.
Step 3: Cook the Shrimp
Add the shrimp to the broth and cook for 2 to 3 minutes just until they turn pink and curl. Do not overcook the shrimp as they will become rubbery.
Step 4: Season and Serve
Remove from heat and stir in the fish sauce and lime juice. Taste and adjust the balance of sour, salty, and spicy to your preference. Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro leaves.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- straw mushrooms → oyster or cremini mushrooms
- fresh galangal → fresh ginger though the flavor will be noticeably different
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Overcooking the shrimp which makes them tough and rubbery
- Adding lime juice while the soup is still boiling which destroys the fresh citrus flavor
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 210 calories, 22g protein, 8g carbs, 8g fat, 1g fiber.
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