This Thai Green Curry Soup is creamy, a little spicy, full of flavor and just utterly SO slurp-worthy! We’ve got thin rice noodles swimming in a luxurious coconut milk veggie broth that’s amped up with ginger, turmeric, and Thai green curry paste (don’t forget the squeeze of lime at the end). It’s SO comforting and tasty.
This Thai green curry noodle soup is a flexible recipe that can be made as-is, or drop on some protein to add heft.
This comforting Thai green curry soup with coconut milk is seriously the BEST wintertime comfort food!
Table of Contents
The Story Behind the Recipe
I first happened across the inspiration recipe about a week ago when I settled into the kitchen to make one of my favorite lentil soups. But then I stopped and thought, you know what actually sounds good? Something brothy. With noodles. And an Asian vibe.
So I found this amazing recipe from Once Upon a Chef, and, having very few of the ingredients on hand, attempted my own version with what I had in the pantry – completely different ingredients. My version … well, it tanked. We could barely choke it down, to be honest.
But I was determined to make this soup happen. So a couple days later, I bought the groceries that the recipe actually called for, with a few variations to make it a vegan version. And then I nabbed a rotisserie chicken for my guy’s situation. And made it.
WE LOVED IT. Capital-letter-worthy.
I can tell this Thai Green Curry Noodle soup will land on our instant-classics list – it hits all the marks for an easy weeknight dinner. 1) Delicious, 2) Fast, 3) Easy, 4) Flexible for our mixed-diet house, and 5) Delicious. (The delicious part is worth saying twice).
How to Make Thai Green Curry Soup
This Thai Green Curry Noodle Soup is made a bit differently. First, you whip up the broth. While that cooks, prep the toppings/stir-ins: Shredded rotisserie chicken or diced tofu if you like (but not required), sliced scallions, cilantro. Set those aside and prep the noodles. You make those separately too – most rice noodles simply need a quick soak to soften up to the right consistency.
Note I have tried to just throw the uncooked noodles in with the broth for efficiency. It works alright, but it’s hard to control how much they cook when you make them that way (they can overcook and get mushy pretty easily). You’re better off prepping the noodles separately, rinsing in cold water to stop any cooking, and then separating them between bowls before adding broth, cilantro, scallions, sriracha, and protein of choice.
In our house it’s tofu for me …
… and chicken for my guy.
This tasty, easy soup is enough to add sunshine to any day. Okay, okay … not really. But it does make a gray day better.
Thai Green Curry Noodle Soup
Ingredients
Broth:
- 2 teaspoons canola oil or vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced shallots (from 1-2 medium shallots)
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger (from about 1 thumb-sized piece)
- 2 tablespoons Thai green curry paste (I use Thai Kitchen brand which is vegan)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric (optional; I just like it for color)
- 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
- 14 ounces coconut milk (1 can)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce or Tamari
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt + more to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (from approx. 1 medium lime)
- 4 ounces thin rice noodles (prepped according to package instructions*)
Toppings
- 1 bunch scallions (sliced)
- 1/4 cup cilantro
- Sriracha sauce (to taste)
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Set a medium pot over low heat. Add the oil. When hot, add the shallots and ginger. Cook, stirring frequently, until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the green curry paste and turmeric (if using). Cook, stirring constantly, for one minute.
- Add the vegetable broth, coconut milk, Tamari or soy sauce, brown sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt.
- Increase heat to medium and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, chop/shred your toppings and prepare the rice noodles according to package instructions.
- Right before serving, stir lime juice into broth. Taste and add more salt if you like.
- To serve, divide the noodles between four bowls. Add protein – chicken or tofu – to each bowl. Ladle the broth over the top. Scatter cilantro and scallions over the top and serve with additional lime wedges and sriracha.
I’m so glad you’re here! I’m a vegetarian home cook, certified plant-based pro, and mom. I’m married to an enthusiastic carnivore, and my mission is to achieve peace in the kitchen – one tasty recipe at a time. These days, with a name like mine, I also try not to ask to speak to the manager.
I’m a big fan of the Once Upon a Chef blog and have followed her for at least 8 years. This soup is a great recipe and I like your spin with the tofu.
The bowl of noodle soup looks utterly gorgeous and so so tempting! Glad to have stumbled across your blog 🙂
Thanks so much!
This looks awesome! How hot is green curry? I have some in the family that can’t do too much spice. I guess I could put it less of the green curry? Just not sure how much to add (or not add) to lower the spice level.
Hi Mary, good question! I suppose it depends on the brand or recipe you use for the green curry paste but I use Thai Kitchen brand and don’t find it spicy at all! The broth really relies on the curry paste for flavor so I wouldn’t skimp on it.
I’m about to cook this. It looks delicious 🙂
For future reference, do you think this could work with zucchini noodles?
Very solid recipe. I’ve made it vegan either with tofu or mock chicken. Easy and delicious 🙂
Had this tonight, added some mini-bellas and yellow peppers – but followed the directions otherwise and dam! Thank you.
Cheers