This Low Calorie Tom Yum Soup recipe is just 174 calories and can be made in just 25 minutes!
In this article you will learn how to make the popular Thai hot and sour soup recipe quickly and easily. I supplied you with all you need to make Thai soup recipes in a flash, even on busy weeknights.
I did cut some corners, so calling it an authentic Tom Yum Soup recipe would not be accurate, but it is authentic tasting and it can make it in just 25 minutes, so I’ll take it!
Low Calorie Tom Yum Soup {Thai Hot and Sour Soup}
What You’ll Find in this Article:
Different Styles of Tom Yum Thai Soup
There are different styles of Tom Yum Thai soup… Here you will learn the differences between tom yum goong, Tom Yum kung, and Tom Yum gai soups.
- Tom Yum Kung: Tom Yum Kung is the most popular version of Tom Yum, and is made with prawns or shrimp as the main ingredient.
- Tom Yum Gai: The Tom Yum Gai soup is the chicken version of this Tom Yum Soup.
- Tom Yum Goong: Tom Yum Goong is the same as Tom Yum Kung, a spicy and sour Thai soup made with prawns or shrimp.
Now that you know the differenced in Tom Yum soups, let’s move onto our low calorie recipe for Thai soup.
Ingredients in Healthy Tom Yum Soup
This Tom Yum Soup with shrimp does cut a few corners to make it “authentic tasting” without all the work of boiling the shrimp heads. Plus you can often find headless shrimp on sale or for a better price.
There are many different ways to make Tom Yum soups, some call for coconut milk, others call for evaporated milk, and some call for no milk.
This quick Tom Yum Soup recipe is made with a small amount of coconut milk to give it a hint of creaminess, without weighing down the broth.
Shopping List for Healthy Tom Yum Soup:
- Low-sodium chicken broth
- Lemongrass
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Chili flakes
- Lime leaves
- Mushrooms (your favorite)
- Raw shrimp (peeled and cleaned)
- Cherry tomatoes
- Canned light coconut milk
- Fish sauce
- Lime juice
- Fresh cilantro
How to Make Healthy Tom Yum Soup
This Thai soup recipe Tom Yum is one of the most popular Thai dishes on most menus. I wanted to make a quick and healthy version that you can make at home, in less time (and less money) than ordering take out.
This easy Tom Yum Soup recipe is made quickly and easily by skipping one step: Boiling the shrimp heads.
Now if you do have time to spend on this soup, it really makes the soup taste amazing. But this recipe was created for those of you who want a fast meal with little effort.
How to Make Healthy Tom Yum Soup:
- In a large pot bring the chicken broth to a low boil over medium-high heat.
- Meanwhile, prepare thee lemongrass: Slice the bottom 1/3 of the lemongrass stalk off and set aside the top. Finely mince the bottom 1/2 of the stalk and keep the upper part whole. Add all to the pot of chicken broth as you work.
- Boil the chicken broth and lemon grass for 5 minutes, until fragrant.
- Reduce the heat to medium heat and add in the garlic, chili, lime leaves, and mushrooms to broth. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add in the shrimp, and cherry tomatoes. Simmer for 5 minutes, until the shrimp are pink.
- Lower the heat to low and add in the fish sauce.
- Serve in bowls with fresh cilantro sprinkled over the top.
Low Calorie Tom Yum Soup Recipe
This easy Tom Yum Soup recipe tastes authentic, however, it only takes 25 minutes to make (from start to finish!)
At just 174 calories, and 33.3g of protein, this healthy Thai soup recipe makes a great weeknight meal. You can have 1.5 cups for 174 calories, and you could double it to 3 cups for just 348 calories!
Low Calorie Tom Yum Soup
Equipment
- Large pot
Ingredients
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 stalk lemongrass
- 3 cloves garlic chopped or grated
- 2 tablespoons ginger minced or grated
- 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes
- 3 lime leaves
- 3/4 cup mushrooms your favorite, sliced
- 18 medium raw shrimp peeled and cleaned
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes halved
- 1/4 cup canned light coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro
Instructions
- In a large pot bring the chicken broth to a low boil over medium-high heat.
- Meanwhile, prepare thee lemongrass: Slice the bottom 1/3 of the lemongrass stalk off and set aside the top. Finely mince the bottom 1/2 of the stalk and keep the upper part whole. Add all to the pot of chicken broth as you work.
- Boil the chicken broth and lemon grass for 5 minutes, until fragrant.
- Reduce the heat to medium heat and add in the garlic, chili, lime leaves, and mushrooms to broth. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add in the shrimp, and cherry tomatoes. Simmer for 5 minutes, until the shrimp are pink.
- Lower the heat to low and add in the fish sauce.
- Serve in bowls with fresh cilantro sprinkled over the top.
Nutrition
Nutrition and Calories in Tom Yum Soup
Most Tom Yum soups are healthy already. I cut some extra calories, and also added extra veggies so you can have more of the yummy soup, for less calories.
You can have 1.5 cups (one and a half cups) of this hot and soup soup for just 174 calories.
Important Note: As a reminder, at Lose Weight By Eating it is my goal to make you healthier, all-natural versions of your favorite recipes… not all will be “diet worthy” depending on the diet you are on. But they will be healthier versions to help curb your cravings.
What to Read Next:
Lose Weight By Eating Cookbooks
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Article History:
- Originally written and published May 27, 2021 by Audrey Johns
- Updated on September 11, 2023 by Audrey Johns
