Thai Coconut Milk Cabbage soup packed with flavor and nourishment! A Thai Coconut Paleo soup recipe made with real ingredients; coconut milk, cabbage, lemongrass, broth, curry, and Thai Chili peppers. It is quick to make, plus it keeps you warm during winter! Vegan and whole 30 friendly.
Just letting you know this Thai Coconut cabbage soup recipe was originally published in December 2014. I retested and improved the recipe, rephotographed, updated content. Now I am republishing it for you today! I hope you enjoy. Thank you for following Cotter Crunch Y’all!.
This week, the love of flavor packed recipes continues, in the form of soup that is! But let me explain what makes this Thai coconut soup the perfect soothing dish for body and soul as well. Hang with me, I’ll get to it soon!
You see, when the body (or at least my body) is under a certain amount of stress, digestion needs a little more support. This is why it’s so important to focus on getting nutrient dense foods in the system, as well as taking a chill pill. Am I right?
But what nutrient foods work for me, might not work for you. So can be tricky. The body responds differently to certain foods for EACH person depending on the environment they are in or their current health condition. Hence why I posted the “healing foods” meal plan last week.
For us Crazy Cotters, immunity boosting smoothies, Turmeric teas, and anti- inflammatory rich soups give us more bang for you buck, per se. Easy to digest, but still full of nourishment. Nourishment in the form of soothing herbs, vegetables, and spices! Adding in herbs and spices are also a great way to significantly increase the nutritional value of your meals, plus many herbs and spices serve as digestive aids.
Hence my love affair with paleo thai coconut soup! It’s full of good for your health medicinal herbs like lemongrass, anti-inflammatory rich spices (like curry), antioxidant rich peppers, and healthy fats (like coconut milk), etc. Not to mention good for your digestion vegetables, like cabbage!
Adding cabbage brings extra nourishment and texture to this Thai Coconut Milk Soup!
Yep! Instead of grains (like rice), we are using shredded cabbage. Whoa I just said LIKE a lot. But you get my point. I LIKE what’s in this soup.
You can use red or green cabbage for this Thai soup. Both red and green cabbage are rich in minerals calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Three essential minerals that are crucial for protection of bones. As if that wasn’t enough, some studies have shown that cabbage may help improve the health of the stomach and digestive tract as a whole. You can thank the anti-inflammatory rich glucosinolates found in cabbage for that (source). Oh and fiber, cabbage has tons of fiber, obviously.
Is that enough nerdy nutrition talk for ya? Ha! But gosh darn I love it when food can play a KEY part in healing and health.
Alright, now you know why I love this soothing soup and why I am sharing it AGAIN today, 3 years later. The recipe is retested and improved. HOORAY!
PrintThai Coconut Milk Soup (Paleo)
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This nourishing Thai soup is quick to make with simple ingredients. Low Carb, Paleo, Whole30, and Vegan friendly.
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon oil, divided. (Avocado oil or sesame oil work great)
- 2 to 3 cups shredded cabbage (red or green) – see notes.
- 1 to 2 Tablespoon lime juice (divided)
- fresh ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 Tablespoon red chili paste (the more, the spicier. Adjust to preference)
- 2 stalks fresh lemongrass, cut in 1-in. pieces or 1.5 Tablespoons lemongrass paste. (see notes)
- ½ teaspoon ground curry
- 1-inch piece peeled fresh ginger or 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 ¾ cups regular or light coconut milk (15-ounce can)
- 5 cups organic broth or vegetable stock
- fine sea salt to taste
- Fresh torn cilantro to garnish
- Sliced lime
- 2 Thai birds eyes red peppers, seeds in or removed, sliced for garnishing
- Optional add ins: Cooked shrimp, chicken, tofu, sriracha, mushrooms, etc.
- optional chopped scallions (green portion)
Instructions
- In a large pot, sauté your shredded cabbage in oil, 1 tablespoon lime juice, 1 teaspoon minced garlic, and dash of pepper. Cook about 2 minutes on medium to medium high. Be sure not to cook all the way. Remove cabbage from pot and set aside.
- In the same pot, bring to boil your broth, lemon grass, and the rest of your spices/chili paste. Let is simmer about 10 minutes on medium low, stirring occasionally.
- After 10 minutes, add in your sautéed cabbage, splash of fish sauce (optional), ½ tablespoon or so lime juice, and coconut milk. Mix together simmer another 5 to 10 minutes. (See notes for protein options)
- When soup is done simmering, you can either add your sliced Thai Red peppers into the pot before serving, or use them to garnish.
- Spoon into bowls. Garnish with fresh lime slices, spicy pepper slices (i.e jalapeños or additional Thai red peppers), drizzle of chili sauce, and pinch of pepper. Optional chopped scallions to top.
Notes
Substitutions – Â Thai basil may be substituted for cilantro. 2 fresh lemongrass stalk, cut in 1-in. pieces will equal around 1- 2 tablespoon lemon grass paste.
Add -ons – Protein is optional, but you can add in a cooked protein of choice (i.e shrimp, tofu, chicken, etc.) at step 6. When you mix in and simmer the coconut milk and cabbage.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: side dish, soup
- Method: stove
- Cuisine: Thai
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 244
- Sugar: 7.5g
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 1.3g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Now let’s get get cooking! Your body and tastebuds will thank you.
What are your favorite type of vegetables to use in thai coconut soup?
MORE SOUP & IMMUNITY BOOSTING RECIPES HERE!
This recipe is part of Our Best Healthy Soup Recipes for Fall and 10 Best Immunity Boosting Recipes collections. Check it out!
CPHunt
Really liked this! I added shrimp and I upped this heat with extra ginger root and chili sauce. Would probably be excellent on rice or cauli- rice next time. Thanks for the recipe.
Lindsay Cotter
nice! love the extra ginger
Lindsay Cotter
I’m sorry to hear that. What type of peppers did you use? The newer version of this (with chicken) is here. I highly recommend it! If you still have lemongrass https://www.cottercrunch.com/thai-soup/
Nicole
If I forgot the ginger at the store, is the recipe not going to taste good?
Lindsay Cotter
Do you have any ground ginger?
Christi
What are your thoughts on freezing this soup? Looks amazing but I would be the only one in the house eating it and I love to freeze soups for ready made meals!
starjack io
Absolutely delicious!
Lindsay Cotter
Yaaayyy!So glad to hear that!
Sha
I love this! Added mushrooms and chicken and was amazing
Lindsay Cotter
You added mushrooms?? You genius. Well played. Glad it turned out well! 🙂
Rebecca Weekes
Can I use savoy cabbage?
Lindsay Cotter
you mean purple cabbage?
Empanadilla
Delicious and so simple!
Lindsay Cotter
Agreed? and thank you!
Anne
I’ve just made this with the addition of broccoli, mushrooms and spring onions. Input an extra teaspoon of chilli paste in, and used lemon grass chilli paste. I must say the flavours are amazing. I’m hoping hubby likes it.m
Lindsay Cotter
Mmm I love those additions. I bet it hit the spot! And I hope your hubby liked it too:)
Anne
He thought it was delicious, and plenty left over for tea tonight.
Lindsay Cotter
Love it! So glad Anne!
CatieFranc
I plan to make this right now, it looks like a good healthy soup on a chilly day. I have some extra kaffir lime leaves – do you think I could add these in too? Thank you for the recipe!
Lindsay Cotter
sent you an email! hope it worked. Love the lime leaves!
Devyb
This looks amazing. My belly has been off since the em holidays. Can’t wait to dig into this.
Lindsay Cotter
Thank you! The holidays are always a little bit hard on my system as well-hope this helps. Enjoy! 🙂
David
Thank you for this, as I love this soup, made it numerous times now. Love having it for Brekky! David (UK)
Lindsay Cotter
Wonderful!! THanks for letting me know David.
slither io
Vegetable soup looks delicious and attractive, thank you for sharing the recipe
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I really loved reading your blog. I also found your posts very interesting. In fact after reading, I had to go show it to my friend and he enjoyed it as well!
Thanks for sharing.
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Gaby Dalkin
That color though!!!
Lindsay Cotter
right? 😉 I do like yellow
Katie
Very good. But the soup turned purple when I added the cabbage. Not as appetaling as your photo but yummy. Added some shrimp for extra protein katie
Lindsay Cotter
Oh really? Did you use purple cabbage? I used green but purple or red totally work! Glad you liked it though.
Daisy
I love soup so much! YOur coconut milk recipe looks very tasty! I will try at home!
David Thomson
This has become my breakfast wake-me-up soup!! Love it, great flavours.
p.s. Love the site too, though I don’t think my printer does!
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I was very impressed by this post, this site has always been pleasant news. Thank you very much for such an interesting post
Jennifer Farley
That is one beautiful soup!
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
Retest or not, I want to skinny dip in the bowl of amazingness.
Did I mention I’m freezing right now too? The first time since I was pregnant with Ave; maybe this means my hormones are finally regulating. Fingers crossed; now pass me a spoon please.
Cotter Crunch
I’ll warm ya up! wink wink. 😉
Natasha Minocha
This soup looks so comforting and cozy! Love coconut milk, makes everything so creamy and delish!
Cotter Crunch
Doesn’t it? So good that coconut milk!
Natasha @ Salt & Lavender
Love cabbage soup and Thai flavors… so I am like 99.9% sure I’d love this soup!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom
Seriously looks SO amazing!
Cotter Crunch
Thanks friend!
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
You had me at Thai coconut milk 🙂
Matt Robinson
Love the spicy kick in this!
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious
Such a pretty soup! I have so many old recipes that need updating. I feel like I’ll never get there. LOL
Cassie Autumn Tran
Oh my, this Thai coconut soup looks wonderful! I love how packed with nutritious herbs and spices it is, plus you can customize it any way you wish!
Lea
I can’t wait to try this. It looks delicious!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
I bet this packs a punch of flavor! Looks delish Lindsay!
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Find your recipe here! 🙂
Cotter Crunch
thanks!
Joann
This was absolutely delicious! So much flavor!
Stephanie
Does this recipe double well, or freeze well? Looking for something different for a soup swap! Looks so good, I will try it soon!
Cotter Crunch
I think it freeze quite well. Just have to mix the coconut milk up again once thawed. Easy! Doubling works as well but I would adjust the lemon grass and other spices to your liking once double. Just taste it and continue to add bit by bit. Does that make sense?
Two City vegans
YUM. This looks divine. I think I am going to make it today. 🙂
Cotter Crunch
keep me posted! it;s my fav!
Ksenia @ At the Immigrant's Table
This is a great recipe. I love everything about it – it’s affordable but clearly flavourful, it feels authentic, and it’s bright… Great work. I featured it in my round-up of vegetarian paleo dishes this week (http://immigrantstable.com/2015/01/09/best-vegetarian-paleo-recipes), so thanks for sharing!!
LCCotter
Great! thanks for the link Ksenia!
paleobrownies
Nice recipe ! I will surely try this at home.
Ari @ Ari's Menu
Girrrrl! Your photography has improved SO much!!! This sounds amazing and it looks GORGEOUS!
LCCotter
you are kind. Thank you! I’m really working on it for healthy bites, sizzlefish, etc.
Brandi
I love soup! There’s just something about it. I love that you added cabbage…..I love that stuff. Growing up my mom made cabbage soup :). Great memories 😉
Abby @ BackAtSquareZero
I LOVE coconut and curry flavors lately. Awesome.
jobo
I LOVE SOUP!!! and coconut flavor is my latest obsession for everything! this sounds delish. I love adding basil to soup…simple but so tasty.
Kirtley @ The Gist of Fit
WOw we loooove thai food!I want to try that out!!
LCCotter
let me know if you do!
Katie @ Daily Cup of Kate
Oh yum, this soup is calling my name! Bonus that its not hard to make 😉
LCCotter
for sure! let me know if you try it Katie!
Sarah Jane @ TheFitCookie
I had never been a huge soup person, but I do love Thai coconut soups! This one looks sooo good. I love your photography too! I am working on mine – it’s taking some time for me to get it down but I think I’m getting the hang of it 😉
Jody - Fit at 56
So much great gut info AND a delish recipe!! You are all over the cooking lately & doing a great job!!!!!
Katie
Oh yum this looks delicious… wish you were my neighbor & I could pay you to be my personal chef 😉
Sarah Pie
And my list of cotter creations to make grows longer! Seriously though tis the season for soup and a bowl of this sounds incredible.
Debbie @ Live from La Quinta
Yum! Veggie broth and it’s vegan. It looks absolutely beautiful.
Arman @ thebigmansworld
You know I am making this- Although adding shrimp AND chicken is non negotiable..and fresh chilli 😉
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
I’m a souper star. Thought you’d appreciate that.
I adore the flavors in here and also happen to have a cabbage or two in my fridge right now. I could pretty much live off soup this time of year. True story: I’m actually reheating some of Saturday night’s Minestrone Soup for dinner tonight, along with a butternut squash drop biscuit. Mmm, can we somehow make those good for gut health too?!
katie
I don’t know how you do it but this looks amazing.
Kim K.
thai thai thai! yummy yummy yummy!!!!! i love all thai things especially coconut. need this in my belly this winter!
Katie
I love all these flavors!
When I’m feeling bad (GI bad, that is) I make this soup that I learned about when things were REALLY bad for me. I steam equal parts spinach, green beans, zucchini, and parsley and then puree with the steaming water. You only need a pinch of salt and it is truly delicious!
LCCotter
that sounds amazing! i need to try that next. thanks! how are you by the way?
She Rocks Fitness
HAHAH all about soups and smoothies these days…Although I’ve backed off on the soup a little bit, cause it’s so darn warm here in Houston…Got the AC on today! Sheesh….
Mattie
I love anything thai. This looks light and refreshing!
LCCotter
me too! spicy and refreshing
Bailey K.
Oh, wow. Thai coconut soups are my favorite. I’ve made several versions but I’ll have to try this one! Yummy!!
LCCotter
let me know if you do!
Sarah
Oh I want it NOW! Excuse my directness but it looks so good, it is cold and rainy out, and my tummy is hungry! 😉
Yaitza
I have never tried Nona Lim products, sounds like I should though! The soup looks delightful, thanks for sharing ;o)
Alysia @ Slim Sanity
I don’t think I’ve ever had cabbage in a soup! I’d probably also add chicken to this. I add chicken to everything haha
Kim
This looks tasty – I’m all about soup these days!! (people don’t like cilantro???? just kidding – I know it is a love or hate type thing)
LCCotter
i know, shocking. I love cilantro! haha
Heather Blackmon
I need to find that bone broth, been wanting to see how that helps my tummy but no way am I going to make it myself. 🙂 This soup sounds delicious too!! This is soup time for me, I crave it!!
LCCotter
check whole foods! i found several there too!
AmyC
My husband would love this soup!
LCCotter
it’s husband approved here too!
Lucie@FitSwissChick
This looks soooo good!! I absolutely LOVE coconut milk. I love to make it in a soup with lemongrass! Like Tom Ka Gai.
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast
I LOVE soup – especially this time of year. Sounds fabulous, as always!
Ruthie@She'sWickedHealthy
Yum! I actually don’t make soup often but this looks great! Love the flavor combo!
Marcia
Love me some Thai and the Caveman is a cabbage fiend! Need to make!
LCCotter
your caveman and my kiwi would get along! haha
misszippy
Sounds fabulous! And thanks for the tip on the broth–I’d never heard of it. We have a couple of great Asian markets nearby so I might see if I can find it there.
Lisa @ RunWiki
You’re killing me. You must be a mind reader– I’ve been craving an Asian inspired soup! This is making my mouth water!
Renee @ Bendiful Blog
Yummm that even looks good to me and I don’t like coconut. I feel like I need to get over my distaste for it though so many paleo recipes have it. What’s a girl to do?
LCCotter
you can sub out the coconut milk for vegetable broth or even a little cream! I would use 1/2 cup cream and then the rest broth to make up for the coconut. NO prob!
Jennifer FIsher
yum . . . love me some of that soup!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner
Yum! That looks great. Already pinned. I’ve never seen those broths before-are they vegetarian?? Thanks for linking up with us this week. We plan to do soups and stews in January so hope to see more of your recipes.
LCCotter
a few of them are. and a few have chicken stock in them. SOOOOOO GOOD! you must try!
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
I really need to start eating more soups. I’ve been drinking up smoothies like a madwoman lately because of how easy they are on my stomach, but sometimes they make me a little chilly 😛 Soup would be the perfect solution… and coconut milk is basically liquid gold <3
LCCotter
i don’t know how you do it. I would freeze! LOL!
Heather (Where's the Beach)
Jason was just talking about making a soup like this when we were at the grocery store yesterday.
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table
OMG this looks so good! I’m making ramen this week. Close-ish? Come over and do an Asian soup swap with me.
Linda @ TheFitty
Always love me some good homemade paleo soup. Thanks for sharing this recipe. im always a little daunted to use coconut milk in soups because I’m not sure how it will turn out. 🙂
Dietitian Jess
Coconut tastes so good savory and sweet- I need to try more recipes like this with it savory!!
Erin @ The Almond Eater
Gahhh I love coconut milk and I love soup–match made in heaven!
SuzLyfe (@suzlyfe)
This reminds me of Tom Kha Gai, which I usually can’t order in restaurants because I don’t know exactly what they are using, but which I think is just a delicious soup. And as someone with a digestive illness, I can tell you–stress plays a HUGE role in gut health, and gut health plays a HUGE role in stress!
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious
I love Thai foods and haven’t tried making my own yet. Sriracha is never optional.
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat
Girl, you had me at Thai! Sounds absolutely divine. Might even add a little fish to this soup (and you know it would be Sizzlefish if I lived in the US!)
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables
i love me some thai curry…. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE
Maryea {happy healthy mama}
P.S. I just took the plunge and ordered some gelatin. Thanks for the recommendation.
LCCotter
yay! which kind?
Maryea {happy healthy mama}
The kind that you linked to. Great Lakes? In the red tin.
Maryea {happy healthy mama}
Yum! I love the combination of flavors here. I totally agree that soups are a great way to pack in a ton of nutrition.
Tina Muir
I made a thai soup the other day too! It was delicious, and this sounds like it would be great. Love the addition of cabbage, I would never have thought of combining those, but yes, great for your gut!
Michele @ paleorunningmomma
This looks like the prettiest soup I’ve ever seen in your photos! Really creative and delicious looking recipe too, yum!