Thai Lemon Grass Soup
A fragrant Thai soup featuring lemongrass, lime, chilies, and chicken, delivering bold, fresh flavors perfect for those craving a spicy, citrusy starter or light meal.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat chicken broth in a pot.
- Cut lemongrass into 1-inch lengths.
- Add lime leaves, lemongrass, galangal, and diced chicken to the broth.
- Heat until chicken is cooked through.
- Add lime juice, fish sauce, chilies, and halved straw mushrooms.
- Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve.
Tips & Substitutions
For a more aromatic soup, bruise the lemongrass and galangal before adding them to the broth. If you can't find straw mushrooms, substitute with shiitake or button mushrooms. Adjust the chili quantity based on your heat preference, or use milder varieties for a less spicy soup. Fresh herbs are key; consider adding Thai basil for extra flavor.
Serving Suggestions
This Thai Lemon Grass Soup pairs beautifully with Chicken Consomme With Avocado for a light meal. Serve with steamed jasmine rice or rice noodles on the side to soak up the broth. Garnish with extra cilantro and lime wedges for a fresh finish, and enjoy a refreshing beverage like Thai iced tea.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm the soup on the stove over medium heat until heated through, adding a splash of water if it thickens. Avoid boiling to preserve the flavors and texture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Thai Lemon Grass Soup contains roughly 1480 calories, with 121g protein, 260g carbohydrates, and 28g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (1111% of the Daily Value), protein (241% of the Daily Value), and iron (222% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2580mg per serving (112% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this soup vegetarian?
Yes, you can substitute chicken with tofu or a variety of vegetables such as bell peppers and carrots. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and adjust the fish sauce with soy sauce or a vegan fish sauce alternative for a vegetarian-friendly version.
How can I make the soup spicier?
To increase the heat, add more hot chilies or include a dash of chili paste or sriracha. Alternatively, you can use fresh Thai bird's eye chilies, which pack a punch. Just be cautious and taste as you go to avoid overwhelming the other flavors.
Is it possible to freeze this soup?
Freezing is not recommended as the texture of the ingredients, especially mushrooms and herbs, may change upon thawing. However, if you must freeze it, do so without the fresh cilantro and lime juice. Thaw in the refrigerator and add fresh ingredients after reheating.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).