Authentic Clear Broth Tom Yum Soup with Shrimp: A Flavorful Thai Classic Recipe

Dive into the vibrant and aromatic world of Thai cuisine with an authentic Clear Broth Tom Yum Soup, also known as Tom Yum Goong Nam Sai. This iconic dish is a celebration of bold flavors, masterfully balancing spicy, sour, salty, and umami notes in a truly unforgettable way. Imagine a fragrant broth infused with the quintessential Thai ingredients: zesty lemongrass, earthy galangal, aromatic kaffir lime leaves, and the fiery kick of Thai bird’s eye chilies. The secret to its remarkable depth lies in the addition of shrimp shells during the broth-making process, alongside savory fish sauce, a touch of soy sauce, and pungent garlic, creating a foundation that is both rich and incredibly clean.

While the thought of preparing an authentic Thai soup might seem daunting, this Tom Yum Soup recipe is surprisingly straightforward, especially once you have these essential ingredients on hand. It’s not just delicious and easy to make; it’s also a wonderfully light option, making it a perfect choice for those seeking satisfying meals without the guilt. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a beginner in the kitchen, this recipe promises a delightful culinary journey. Explore more delicious and healthy options on our site for a variety of low-point dinner recipes designed to keep you feeling satisfied and nourished.

Why You Need to Experience This Incredible Tom Yum Soup

1. An Essential Thai Culinary Experience: Tom Yum Soup isn’t just a meal; it’s a sensory experience that defines Thai cuisine. Revered globally, it consistently ranks among the world’s best soups. Each spoonful offers a harmonious blend of its aromatic broth and fresh, vibrant ingredients, showcasing why Thai flavors are so universally adored. This soup truly embodies the essence of Thai culinary artistry, offering a complex yet balanced profile of spicy, sour, and savory tastes.
2. Light, Healthy, and Bursting with Flavor: One of the most appealing aspects of this clear broth Tom Yum Soup is its remarkable lightness without sacrificing any intensity of flavor. When prepared without noodles, it’s a beautifully clear and nourishing broth, typically coming in at around just 150 calories per serving. For those following Weight Watchers, this makes it an incredibly appealing zero-point dish – an impressive feat for a soup that delivers such an explosive and satisfying taste sensation. It’s an ideal option for a healthy, yet incredibly fulfilling, meal.
3. Effortless to Prepare, Deeply Satisfying: Don’t let the exotic ingredient list fool you; the actual cooking process for Tom Yum Soup is remarkably simple. While finding authentic Thai ingredients might require a trip to an Asian market, the steps themselves are beginner-friendly. The magic largely happens in the slow simmering of the broth, allowing the ingredients to naturally infuse their complex flavors. This makes it a stress-free and rewarding meal to prepare, even for novice cooks eager to explore international flavors.
4. Infinitely Customizable to Your Liking: Tom Yum Soup is incredibly versatile, offering ample opportunities for personalization. Feel free to adapt the recipe to suit your dietary preferences or what you have available. You can easily bulk it up by adding various types of noodles, such as delicate rice vermicelli or hearty egg noodles, for a more substantial dish. Incorporate additional vegetables like crisp snow peas, earthy mushrooms, colorful bell peppers, or even tender broccoli to enhance its nutritional value and texture. For a different protein, juicy chicken or firm tofu make excellent substitutes for shrimp, ensuring this delightful soup can be enjoyed by everyone.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 90 minutes
Servings: 4
Serving Size: 1 bowl

0 WW Points Per Serving. This light and flavorful Tom Yum Soup is perfectly aligned with a healthy lifestyle. You can access the full recipe details on the WW Apphere. (A Weight Watchers login is required to view.)

Essential Ingredients for Authentic Tom Yum Soup

The heart of any great Tom Yum Soup lies in its aromatic broth. These ingredients are crucial for building the complex, layered flavors that make this soup so distinctive:

• 4 stalks of lemongrass, bruised and cut into 2-inch pieces (bruising helps release its citrusy aroma)
• 60 g (about 2 oz) galangal, sliced into thin rounds (a pungent, peppery root essential for authentic Thai flavor)
• 8 kaffir lime leaves, torn into pieces (their distinctive aroma is irreplaceable)
• 4 Thai bird’s eye chilies, crushed (adjust to your preferred level of heat)
• 4 cloves garlic, smashed (for a foundational savory note)
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce (the umami powerhouse of Thai cooking)
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce (adds depth and balancing saltiness)
• 150 g (about 5 oz) shrimp shells (the secret for an incredibly rich, seafood-infused broth)
• 6 cups (1.5 L) water (the base for our flavorful broth)

Once your flavorful broth is ready, these fresh ingredients are added to complete your vibrant Tom Yum Soup:

• 300 g (about 10 oz) shrimp, peeled and deveined (the star protein, absorbing all the broth’s flavors)
• 2 medium tomatoes, cut into wedges (adds a touch of sweetness and acidity, plus textural contrast)
• 1 medium onion, cut into wedges (provides a mild sweetness and savory base)
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil (for sautéing the fresh vegetables)
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce (to enhance the overall savory profile)
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce (another layer of umami and salt to finish)
• 1 tablespoon lime juice, freshly squeezed (the final touch of essential brightness and tang)

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Perfect Tom Yum Soup

Follow these detailed instructions to create a truly authentic and delicious Tom Yum Soup in your own kitchen:

1. Prepare the Flavor-Rich Broth:
   • Begin by crafting the heart of your Tom Yum Soup: the broth. In a large, sturdy pot, combine 6 cups (1.5 L) of fresh water and bring it to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
   • Carefully add the prepared aromatic ingredients: the bruised lemongrass stalks (bruising them helps release their essential oils and citrusy fragrance), thinly sliced galangal, torn kaffir lime leaves (tearing them unlocks their potent aroma), crushed Thai bird’s eye chilies (adjust the quantity to your heat preference), and smashed garlic cloves. These ingredients form the essential, aromatic foundation of your soup’s distinct flavor profile.
   • Next, introduce the shrimp shells, fish sauce, and soy sauce. The shrimp shells are a game-changer here, infusing the broth with an unparalleled deep, oceanic umami flavor that elevates the entire dish.
   • Reduce the heat to low, ensuring a very gentle simmer. Cover the pot and allow the broth to slow-cook for a full 90 minutes. This extended simmering time is crucial, as it allows all the complex flavors to thoroughly meld, infuse, and develop into a rich, fragrant liquid.



2. Strain and Clarify the Broth:
   • Once the 90 minutes of simmering are complete, carefully remove the pot from the heat. Using a fine-mesh strainer, meticulously strain the rich broth into a clean bowl or a second pot. Discard all the solids – the lemongrass, lime leaves, chilies, and especially the shrimp shells – as their work is now done. You will be left with a beautifully clear, intensely fragrant, and deeply flavored broth. Set this liquid gold aside, ready for the next steps.
3. Lightly Sauté the Vegetables:
   • In a separate, clean pot, heat 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the onion wedges and tomato wedges, sautéing them for approximately 2-3 minutes. The goal is for them to just begin to soften, retaining some of their texture and vibrant color. The larger chunks of tomatoes and onions are intentionally cut this way to provide a delightful textural contrast within the finished soup.



4. Combine Broth and Fresh Ingredients:
   • Pour your carefully strained and aromatic broth over the sautéed onions and tomatoes in the pot. Stir in an additional 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and 2 tablespoons of fish sauce. These additions will further enhance the savory depth and overall seasoning of the soup, bringing all the flavors together. Bring this mixture to a gentle boil, ensuring all ingredients are well combined and heated through.



5. Delicately Cook the Shrimp:
   • Once the broth is boiling and the vegetables have reached a tender-crisp consistency, reduce the heat to low. Add the peeled and deveined shrimp (300 g) to the simmering soup. Allow the shrimp to cook gently for just 2-3 minutes. They are perfectly cooked when they turn opaque, a vibrant pink color, and curl into appealing C-shapes. Be careful not to overcook them, as rubbery shrimp can detract from the soup’s delicate texture.



6. Add the Bright Finishing Touch:
   • Turn off the heat immediately after the shrimp are cooked. Now, stir in 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lime juice. This final touch is essential; the fresh lime adds a bright, tangy, and refreshing acidity that perfectly cuts through and balances the savory, spicy, and umami elements of the soup.
7. Serve and Enjoy:
   • Ladle the steaming hot Tom Yum Soup into individual serving bowls. Ensure each portion receives a generous amount of succulent shrimp, tender tomatoes, and savory onion. For an extra flourish and burst of freshness, you can garnish the soup with additional fresh herbs like chopped cilantro or a few extra slices of Thai chili if you desire more heat. Serve immediately and savor the incredible flavors!

Expand Your Culinary Horizons: Tom Yum Variations and Substitutions

While the clear broth Tom Yum Goong Nam Sai is arguably the most beloved and popular version, the beauty of this Thai classic lies in its adaptability. Don’t hesitate to explore these delightful variations and substitutions to tailor the soup to your personal taste, dietary needs, or what ingredients you have on hand:

1. Discover Tom Kha Soup for a Creamy Indulgence: If you’re seeking a richer, creamier experience, Tom Kha Soup is a fantastic variation to try. While still boasting the signature aromatic flavors of lemongrass, galangal, and kaffir lime, Tom Kha introduces a luscious base of coconut milk or evaporated milk. This swap transforms the soup into a more indulgent, velvety dish with a deeper, more luxurious flavor profile that beautifully mellows the spiciness. However, it’s important to remember that this creamy version will be higher in calories and fat than its clear broth counterpart, so bear that in mind if you’re monitoring your caloric intake.
2. Enhance Heartiness with Noodles: Traditionally, authentic Tom Yum Soup is served as a light, brothy dish without noodles. However, many enjoy adding a variety of noodles to make it a more substantial and filling meal, reminiscent of a noodle soup. This is purely a matter of personal preference. I often find that incorporating delicate rice noodles, thin glass noodles, or even thicker rice vermicelli adds a satisfying texture and makes the soup feel more complete, especially when serving it as a main course. If you’re accustomed to Western-style soups, the addition of noodles can make this exotic dish feel more familiar and comforting.
3. Boost Nutrition and Texture with Extra Vegetables: Tom Yum Soup is incredibly receptive to additional vegetables, allowing you to easily increase its nutritional value and introduce more diverse textures. Feel free to experiment with a variety of vibrant options. Crisp snow peas add a sweet crunch, earthy sliced mushrooms (like shiitake or oyster mushrooms) deepen the umami, colorful bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange) provide a sweet counterpoint to the spice, and tender broccoli florets offer a welcome green element. Add them during the last few minutes of cooking to ensure they remain perfectly crisp-tender.
4. Protein Swaps for Dietary Needs: While shrimp (Goong) is the classic protein for Tom Yum, you can easily substitute it with other options. Sliced chicken breast or tender chicken thighs (Tom Yum Gai) are popular alternatives, offering a leaner choice. For a vegetarian or vegan version, firm tofu or a mix of exotic mushrooms can absorb the rich broth beautifully, ensuring everyone can enjoy the incredible flavors of Tom Yum.

Mastering Tom Yum: Expert Tips and Tricks for Success

Achieving a truly outstanding Tom Yum Soup is simple with a few key techniques. Here are some expert tips and tricks to elevate your homemade Thai masterpiece:

1. Harness the Power of Shrimp Shells for a Superior Broth: This is perhaps the most impactful trick for an intensely flavorful Tom Yum. Instead of discarding them, simmer shrimp shells in your broth. They impart an incredible depth of seafood umami that you simply cannot achieve with shrimp meat alone. This might seem like an extra step, but the rich, complex essence they leave behind is absolutely worth it. Rest assured, once the broth is strained, the shells are completely removed, leaving only their magnificent flavor.
2. Opt for Wedges, Not Diced, Tomatoes: The textural contrast within Tom Yum Soup is a key element of its appeal. Cutting your tomatoes into generous wedges rather than small dice allows them to hold their shape better during cooking and provides delightful, juicy bursts of tangy-sweet flavor with every spoonful. These larger pieces also add a satisfying visual appeal to the finished dish.
3. Prevent Overcooked Shrimp with Residual Heat: Nobody likes rubbery shrimp. To ensure your shrimp are perfectly tender and succulent, add them to the hot, simmering broth and let them cook for only two to three minutes until they just turn pink and curl. Immediately after, turn off the heat. The residual heat of the soup will continue to gently cook them through without risking overcooking, preserving their delicate texture.
4. Always Prioritize Fresh Lemongrass: The difference between fresh lemongrass and its dried or powdered counterparts is monumental in Tom Yum. Fresh stalks possess a vibrant, citrusy, and subtly floral aroma that is crucial for the soup’s authentic taste. If possible, always seek out fresh lemongrass; its potent, irreplaceable flavor truly defines the dish. Be sure to bruise it well before adding to the broth to maximize flavor release.
5. Prepare the Broth in Advance for Convenience: To streamline your meal preparation, consider making the flavorful broth ahead of time. The beauty of this broth is that its flavors only deepen and develop further with time. You can prepare the broth and store it safely in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days, or even freeze it for several weeks. This way, when you crave a quick and delicious Tom Yum, half the work is already done, allowing you to enjoy a gourmet meal with minimal fuss.
6. Taste and Adjust Seasoning Like a Pro: Thai cooking is all about balance. Before serving, always taste your Tom Yum Soup and adjust the seasoning as needed. You might want to add a little more fish sauce for umami and saltiness, a squeeze of extra lime juice for more tang, or another crushed chili for an added kick. Don’t be afraid to tweak it until you achieve your perfect balance of spicy, sour, and savory.

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Tom Yum Soup

Servings: 4

Prep: 20 minutes mins

Cook: 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Total: 1 hour hr 50 minutes mins

A light, intensely flavorful, and authentic Thai soup featuring aromatic herbs, tender shrimp, and fresh vegetables.

Ingredients 

• ▢ For the Broth:
• ▢ 4 stalks of lemongrass, bruised and cut into 2-inch pieces
• ▢ 60 g (about 2 oz) galangal, sliced into thin rounds
• ▢ 8 kaffir lime leaves, torn into pieces
• ▢ 4 Thai bird’s eye chilies, crushed (adjust to taste)
• ▢ 4 cloves garlic, smashed
• ▢ 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• ▢ 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• ▢ 150 g (about 5 oz) shrimp shells
• ▢ 6 cups (1.5 L) water
• ▢ For the Soup:
• ▢ 300 g (about 10 oz) shrimp, peeled and deveined
• ▢ 2 medium tomatoes, cut into wedges
• ▢ 1 medium onion, cut into wedges
• ▢ 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• ▢ 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• ▢ 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• ▢ 1 tablespoon lime juice, freshly squeezed

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions 

• Prepare the Flavor-Rich Broth
• Begin by crafting the heart of your Tom Yum Soup: the broth. In a large, sturdy pot, combine 6 cups (1.5 L) of fresh water and bring it to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
• Carefully add the prepared aromatic ingredients: the bruised lemongrass stalks (bruising them helps release their essential oils and citrusy fragrance), thinly sliced galangal, torn kaffir lime leaves (tearing them unlocks their potent aroma), crushed Thai bird’s eye chilies (adjust the quantity to your heat preference), and smashed garlic cloves. These ingredients form the essential, aromatic foundation of your soup’s distinct flavor profile.
• Next, introduce the shrimp shells, fish sauce, and soy sauce. The shrimp shells are a game-changer here, infusing the broth with an unparalleled deep, oceanic umami flavor that elevates the entire dish.
• Reduce the heat to low, ensuring a very gentle simmer. Cover the pot and allow the broth to slow-cook for a full 90 minutes. This extended simmering time is crucial, as it allows all the complex flavors to thoroughly meld, infuse, and develop into a rich, fragrant liquid.
• Strain and Clarify the Broth
• Once the 90 minutes of simmering are complete, carefully remove the pot from the heat. Using a fine-mesh strainer, meticulously strain the rich broth into a clean bowl or a second pot. Discard all the solids – the lemongrass, lime leaves, chilies, and especially the shrimp shells – as their work is now done. You will be left with a beautifully clear, intensely fragrant, and deeply flavored broth. Set this liquid gold aside, ready for the next steps.
• Lightly Sauté the Vegetables
• In a separate, clean pot, heat 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the onion wedges and tomato wedges, sautéing them for approximately 2-3 minutes. The goal is for them to just begin to soften, retaining some of their texture and vibrant color. The larger chunks of tomatoes and onions are intentionally cut this way to provide a delightful textural contrast within the finished soup.
• Combine Broth and Fresh Ingredients
• Pour your carefully strained and aromatic broth over the sautéed onions and tomatoes in the pot. Stir in an additional 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and 2 tablespoons of fish sauce. These additions will further enhance the savory depth and overall seasoning of the soup, bringing all the flavors together. Bring this mixture to a gentle boil, ensuring all ingredients are well combined and heated through.
• Delicately Cook the Shrimp
• Once the broth is boiling and the vegetables have reached a tender-crisp consistency, reduce the heat to low. Add the peeled and deveined shrimp (300 g) to the simmering soup. Allow the shrimp to cook gently for just 2-3 minutes. They are perfectly cooked when they turn opaque, a vibrant pink color, and curl into appealing C-shapes. Be careful not to overcook them, as rubbery shrimp can detract from the soup’s delicate texture.
• Add the Bright Finishing Touch
• Turn off the heat immediately after the shrimp are cooked. Now, stir in 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lime juice. This final touch is essential; the fresh lime adds a bright, tangy, and refreshing acidity that perfectly cuts through and balances the savory, spicy, and umami elements of the soup.
• Serve and Enjoy
• Ladle the steaming hot Tom Yum Soup into individual serving bowls. Ensure each portion receives a generous amount of succulent shrimp, tender tomatoes, and savory onion. For an extra flourish and burst of freshness, you can garnish the soup with additional fresh herbs like chopped cilantro or a few extra slices of Thai chili if you desire more heat. Serve immediately and savor the incredible flavors!

Notes

This recipe yields ZERO WW points per serving, making it an excellent choice for a health-conscious meal.

 

Nutrition

Serving: 251gCalories: 147kcalCarbohydrates: 8.4gProtein: 22gFat: 2.3gSaturated Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 178mgSodium: 2235mgPotassium: 230mgFiber: 1.3gSugar: 4gCalcium: 93mgIron: 0.4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Soup

Cuisine: Thai

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