Jump To Recipe // September 3, 2021 // 36 Comments »
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This Tom Kha is a classic Thai coconut soup made easy! It’s paleo-friendly, whole30, and can easily be made vegan and vegetarian.
What is Tom Kha Soup?
Tom Kha soup is a delicious Thai classic, that’s essentially a coconut soup. It’s made with broth, coconut milk, vegetables, seasonings like curry paste, and often a protein like chicken or shrimp. I love the chicken soup version of this soup, Tom Kha Gai, but you can easily make this soup with or without a protein!
This Tom Kha Soup is a vegetarian version of the classic, that can easily be modified to add protein if desired. It’s paleo, whole30, and vegetarian. Perfect for a nourishing meal or side dish on a cool day!
The Ingredients
- Broth & coconut milk. Canned coconut milk is best for this recipe. I like to use Native Forest “Simple” coconut milk.
- sh*take mushrooms. You can use other varieties of mushrooms, but shiitake mushrooms are best!
- Shredded carrots
- Onion, ginger, garlic, curry paste and lemongrass. To keep it nightshade-free, swap curry paste for turmeric, or leave it out altogether for a more coconut flavored soup.
- Cook the vegetables: Add the onion and saute for 3-5 minutes, or until translucent. Add the ginger and garlic and saute for another 2-3 minutes. Add the carrots and sh*take mushrooms and saute for 3-4 minutes or until slightly soft.
- Add the liquids and seasonings: Pour in the broth, coconut milk, fish sauce, coconut aminos, lime juice, and seasonings (reserving the cilantro) and mix well to combine. Bring to a low simmer and allow to simmer for 15-20 minutes. Remove the lemongrass.
- Serve: topped with cilantro and additional lime wedges to serve.
Is Tom Kha Soup Healthy?
“Healthy” is always subjective, but considering this recipe is packed with vegetables, we think it’s pretty healthy!
How to make this soup vegan and vegetarian
This recipe is a vegan/vegetarian soup, but to keep it that way, make sure to use a vegetable broth and omit the fish sauce! I like to use chicken broth, but veggie broth works just fine.
What proteins can you add to this recipe?
Chicken is the classic pairing to this recipe, but you can also use shrimp! All you have to do is precook the chicken until cooked through, and re-add it back to the soup as it simmers for flavor. To add shrimp, you can cook the shrimp while the soup simmers.
Can you make Tom Kha Soup nightshade-free & AIP?
Yes! I have a totally AIP version with chicken in my cookbook, but you can also make this version nightshade-free by omitting the curry paste. It will change the color of the soup, but it will still have lots of flavor!
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- Egg Roll Soup
- Easy Egg Roll in a Bowl
Easy Tom Kha Soup | Thai Coconut Soup (Paleo, Whole30, Vegan Option)
- Author: Michelle
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 2-3 servings 1x
Description
This Tom Kha is a classic Thai coconut soup made easy! It’s paleo-friendly, whole30, and can easily be made vegan and vegetarian.
Ingredients
UnitsScale
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 thumb ginger, grated
- 2 cups shiitake mushrooms, sliced
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth (sub veggie broth for vegetarian)
- 2 cups coconut milk
- Juice of one lime
- 2 tsp fish sauce (omit or sub coconut aminos for vegetarian)
- 1 tbsp coconut aminos
- 3/4 tsp curry paste (season to taste, sub 3/4 tsp turmeric for AIP)
- 1 small stalk lemongrass, thick outer layers removed
- 3/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper (omit for AIP)
- 1 tbsp fresh cilantro, to serve
- Lime wedges, to serve
Instructions
- Using a medium stock pot, melt the coconut oil over medium heat.
- Add the onion and saute for 3-5 minutes, or until translucent. Add the ginger and garlic and saute for another 2-3 minutes.
- Add the carrots and sh*take mushrooms and saute for 3-4 minutes or until lightly soft.
- Pour in the broth, coconut milk, fish sauce, coconut aminos, lime juice, and seasonings (reserving the cilantro) and mix well to combine.
- Bring to a low simmer and allow to simmer for 15-20 minutes.
- Serve topped with cilantro and additonal lime wedges to serve.
Notes
Add protein like cooked chicken or shrimp if desired.
All nutritional information are estimations and will vary. Estimations do not include optional ingredients.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 25
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: Thai
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 470
- Fat: 42.2g
- Carbohydrates: 23.1g
- Fiber: 4.1g
- Protein: 7.7g
Keywords: tom kha soup
This post was originally published in 2018 and was updated in 2021. Recipe by Michelle, Unbound Wellness. Photos by Eat Love Eats
Main Dishes One pan Soup Take out fake out
posted by Michelle on September 3, 2021
36 Comments / Leave a Comment »
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36 comments on “Easy Tom Kha Soup | Thai Coconut Soup (Paleo, Vegetarian)”
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Ellice — December 30, 2019 @ 4:21 pm Reply
This looks really yummy. Is there a good substitute for the fish sauce?
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Michelle — December 30, 2019 @ 4:21 pm Reply
You can do more coconut aminos 🙂
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Alysia — July 22, 2020 @ 5:49 am Reply
This soup was absolutely amazing!!!!! I just added bok choy, chicken, shrimp and Thai chili peppers to give it a kick! Honestly wayyyy better then getting it at a restaurant . This will definitely be a keep!!!
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Jc — October 5, 2020 @ 12:45 pm Reply
What kind of coconut milk do you use?
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Michelle — October 6, 2020 @ 7:57 pm Reply
I like native forest “simple” coconut milk in a can 🙂
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Joanna — November 11, 2020 @ 1:24 pm Reply
This soup is sooo good! And pretty easy to make especially when you already have some broth left. I love all of your recipes but this one is one of my favourite
★★★★★
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Emily — November 15, 2020 @ 6:14 pm Reply
What are we supposed to do with the lemongrass?? It doesn’t mention it at all in the instructions.
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Sarah Wolfe — October 16, 2021 @ 8:03 pm Reply
The lemongrass is one of the “seasonings” mentioned in step 4. I usually substitute lemongrass paste.
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danielle — October 26, 2021 @ 3:11 pm Reply
Wondering the same thing!
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Unbound Wellness — November 29, 2021 @ 4:25 pm Reply
It should be included in the seasonings in step 4!
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Annie — July 30, 2021 @ 1:46 am Reply
I loved this recipe! I made some easy subs like adding chopped bok choy, adding more fish sauce, using ground ginger (realized I was out of fresh once I started cooking), and using baby portobellos. It was SO good! It was good because I didn’t feel like I was missing out on anything even though I made it AIP. Thank you for this!
★★★★★
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Unbound Wellness — August 31, 2021 @ 9:00 pm Reply
So glad you enjoyed!
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Josianne — February 11, 2022 @ 4:50 pm Reply
It looks amazing. I love tom kha soup but it is often way to spicy for me. This sounds like it would be heavenly!
When did you add the bok choy, shrimp and chicken? Do you sauté them with the carrots and mushrooms?
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Unbound Wellness — February 24, 2022 @ 8:49 pm Reply
All you have to do is precook the chicken until cooked through, and re-add it back to the soup as it simmers for flavor. To add shrimp, you can cook the shrimp while the soup simmers.
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Laurie — October 6, 2021 @ 6:25 pm Reply
This is sooooo good and easy!! The only thing I would do is double or triple!
★★★★★
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Unbound Wellness — October 11, 2021 @ 4:43 pm Reply
So glad you enjoyed!!
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Linda — October 21, 2021 @ 3:41 am Reply
This was delicious. Thank you so much for sharing. It will feature as a regular on my menu rotation.
★★★★★
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Unbound Wellness — October 26, 2021 @ 3:22 pm Reply
So glad you enjoyed!!
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Jennifer — December 9, 2021 @ 12:45 pm Reply
Easy and delicious! This is one of my favorite soups to get at Thai-now I can make it myself!!
★★★★★
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Barb — February 4, 2022 @ 11:36 pm Reply
Sorry, I’m super confused. You said this recipe is vegetarian/vegan, but are using fish sauce. Is it a vegan substitute? I really want to try this recipe true to how it’s written, but need clarification since one of the people I’d be making it for is vegan.
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Unbound Wellness — March 17, 2022 @ 8:33 pm Reply
You can omit the fish sauce or use coconut aminos instead!
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S. — February 23, 2022 @ 11:47 pm Reply
Super fast and easy recipe but very delicious! I put extra lime in mine 🙂 I usually use paleorunningmomma recipes, but I think I have converted! These recipes are easier, accurate, and more delish!
★★★★★
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Unbound Wellness — February 24, 2022 @ 8:35 pm Reply
YAY! So glad you are enjoying my recipes!!
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Alecia — March 2, 2022 @ 8:50 pm Reply
What type of curry paste is used here? Do you recommend a particular brand?
TIA
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Alecia — February 26, 2022 @ 9:18 pm Reply
What type of curry paste is being used here? Is it Thai curry paste? If so what kind? Red or yellow?
TIA!-
Unbound Wellness — March 15, 2022 @ 6:39 pm Reply
I use red curry paste!
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Beth — May 11, 2022 @ 11:43 pm Reply
This recipe is on repeat in our house, so delish! Quick tip to save time: I use my mini chopper to dice the carrots, onions, garlic and ginger. Boom! 🙂 I love using scissors to cut the cilantro over the top of bowls too. Also zucchini or other mild veggies also are a great addition.
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Unbound Wellness — May 31, 2022 @ 4:27 pm Reply
Thank you!!
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Brynne — May 27, 2022 @ 1:32 pm Reply
I’m planning to make this tonight for a guest, but can you tell me if this is gluten free? I’m not experienced with that particular dietary restriction, but my guest is gluten free!
Literally can’t wait….I love tom kha soup!-
Unbound Wellness — May 31, 2022 @ 4:25 pm Reply
All the recipes on Unbound Wellness are gluten-free, so this soup definitely is! Enjoy!!
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Lea H. — August 19, 2022 @ 11:19 pm Reply
Absolutely tasty and easy to prepare – I wouldn’t change a thing! Do not hesitate to try this!!
★★★★★
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Unbound Wellness — August 22, 2022 @ 3:48 pm Reply
thank you!!
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Tammy — February 27, 2023 @ 4:33 am Reply
Thank you so much for this recipe! I make one batch of it yesterday and then a double batch of it today because it was so delicious!
Tammy B-
Unbound Wellness — March 10, 2023 @ 3:42 pm Reply
Thank you!!
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Cathy Meade — January 27, 2024 @ 12:29 am Reply
Really enjoyed this soup! Added chicken and doubled the curry paste. Can’t wait to make it with shrimp!
★★★★★
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Unbound Wellness — February 7, 2024 @ 2:58 pm Reply
Thank you!!
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