Paleo
VeganThai 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!
Thai Coconut Milk Soup (Paleo)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
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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 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp red chili paste (the more, the spicier. Adjust to preference)
- 2 stalks fresh lemongrass, cut in 1-in. pieces or 1.5 tbsp lemongrass paste. (see notes)
- 1/2 tsp ground curry
- 1-inch piece peeled fresh ginger or 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 3/4 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 tbsp lime juice, 1 tsp 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), 1/2 tbsp 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
- You can use Thai basil if you don’t like cilantro.
- 2 stalk fresh lemongrass, cut in 1-in. pieces will equal around 1- 2 tbsp lemon grass paste.
- 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.
Estimated Nutrition Using Light Coconut Milk
- Category: side dish, soup
- 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
Keywords: coconut soup, paleo, low carb, Whole30, vegetarian
Now let’s get get cooking! Your body and tastebuds will thank you.
[clickToTweet tweet=”Stay healthy with this Nourishing Thai coconut milk soup! Easy to make, delicious. #paleo #vegan” quote=”Stay healthy with this Nourishing Thai coconut milk soup!”]
What are your favorite type of vegetables to use in thai coconut soup?
Hi, I’m Lindsay! Gluten Free Nutrition Specialist, food photographer and author of 
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This looks like the prettiest soup I’ve ever seen in your photos! Really creative and delicious looking recipe too, yum!
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!
Yum! I love the combination of flavors here. I totally agree that soups are a great way to pack in a ton of nutrition.
P.S. I just took the plunge and ordered some gelatin. Thanks for the recommendation.
yay! which kind?
The kind that you linked to. Great Lakes? In the red tin.
i love me some thai curry…. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE
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!)
I love Thai foods and haven’t tried making my own yet. Sriracha is never optional.
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!
Gahhh I love coconut milk and I love soup–match made in heaven!
Coconut tastes so good savory and sweet- I need to try more recipes like this with it savory!!
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. 🙂
OMG this looks so good! I’m making ramen this week. Close-ish? Come over and do an Asian soup swap with me.
Jason was just talking about making a soup like this when we were at the grocery store yesterday.
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
i don’t know how you do it. I would freeze! LOL!
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.
a few of them are. and a few have chicken stock in them. SOOOOOO GOOD! you must try!
yum . . . love me some of that soup!
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?
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!
You’re killing me. You must be a mind reader– I’ve been craving an Asian inspired soup! This is making my mouth water!
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.
Love me some Thai and the Caveman is a cabbage fiend! Need to make!
your caveman and my kiwi would get along! haha
Yum! I actually don’t make soup often but this looks great! Love the flavor combo!
I LOVE soup – especially this time of year. Sounds fabulous, as always!
This looks soooo good!! I absolutely LOVE coconut milk. I love to make it in a soup with lemongrass! Like Tom Ka Gai.
My husband would love this soup!
it’s husband approved here too!
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!!
check whole foods! i found several there too!
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)
i know, shocking. I love cilantro! haha
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
I have never tried Nona Lim products, sounds like I should though! The soup looks delightful, thanks for sharing ;o)
Oh I want it NOW! Excuse my directness but it looks so good, it is cold and rainy out, and my tummy is hungry! 😉
Oh, wow. Thai coconut soups are my favorite. I’ve made several versions but I’ll have to try this one! Yummy!!
let me know if you do!
I love anything thai. This looks light and refreshing!
me too! spicy and refreshing
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….
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!
that sounds amazing! i need to try that next. thanks! how are you by the way?
thai thai thai! yummy yummy yummy!!!!! i love all thai things especially coconut. need this in my belly this winter!
I don’t know how you do it but this looks amazing.
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?!
You know I am making this- Although adding shrimp AND chicken is non negotiable..and fresh chilli 😉
Yum! Veggie broth and it’s vegan. It looks absolutely beautiful.
And my list of cotter creations to make grows longer! Seriously though tis the season for soup and a bowl of this sounds incredible.
Oh yum this looks delicious… wish you were my neighbor & I could pay you to be my personal chef 😉
So much great gut info AND a delish recipe!! You are all over the cooking lately & doing a great job!!!!!
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 😉
Oh yum, this soup is calling my name! Bonus that its not hard to make 😉
for sure! let me know if you try it Katie!
WOw we loooove thai food!I want to try that out!!
let me know if you do!
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.
I LOVE coconut and curry flavors lately. Awesome.
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 😉
Girrrrl! Your photography has improved SO much!!! This sounds amazing and it looks GORGEOUS!
you are kind. Thank you! I’m really working on it for healthy bites, sizzlefish, etc.
Nice recipe ! I will surely try this at home.
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!!
Great! thanks for the link Ksenia!
YUM. This looks divine. I think I am going to make it today. 🙂
keep me posted! it;s my fav!
Does this recipe double well, or freeze well? Looking for something different for a soup swap! Looks so good, I will try it soon!
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?
This was absolutely delicious! So much flavor!
Find your recipe here! 🙂
thanks!
I bet this packs a punch of flavor! Looks delish Lindsay!
I can’t wait to try this. It looks delicious!
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!
Such a pretty soup! I have so many old recipes that need updating. I feel like I’ll never get there. LOL
Love the spicy kick in this!
You had me at Thai coconut milk 🙂
Seriously looks SO amazing!
Thanks friend!
Love cabbage soup and Thai flavors… so I am like 99.9% sure I’d love this soup!
This soup looks so comforting and cozy! Love coconut milk, makes everything so creamy and delish!
Doesn’t it? So good that coconut milk!
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.
I’ll warm ya up! wink wink. 😉
That is one beautiful soup!
I was very impressed by this post, this site has always been pleasant news. Thank you very much for such an interesting post
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!
I love soup so much! YOur coconut milk recipe looks very tasty! I will try at home!
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
Oh really? Did you use purple cabbage? I used green but purple or red totally work! Glad you liked it though.
That color though!!!
right? 😉 I do like yellow
I like its sharing. Thanks you for very interesting information.
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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!
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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.
★★★★
Vegetable soup looks delicious and attractive, thank you for sharing the recipe
Thank you for this, as I love this soup, made it numerous times now. Love having it for Brekky! David (UK)
Wonderful!! THanks for letting me know David.
This looks amazing. My belly has been off since the em holidays. Can’t wait to dig into this.
Thank you! The holidays are always a little bit hard on my system as well-hope this helps. Enjoy! 🙂
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!
sent you an email! hope it worked. Love the lime leaves!
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
Mmm I love those additions. I bet it hit the spot! And I hope your hubby liked it too:)
He thought it was delicious, and plenty left over for tea tonight.
Love it! So glad Anne!
Delicious and so simple!
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Agreed? and thank you!
Can I use savoy cabbage?
you mean purple cabbage?
I love this! Added mushrooms and chicken and was amazing
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You added mushrooms?? You genius. Well played. Glad it turned out well! 🙂
Absolutely delicious!
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Yaaayyy!So glad to hear that!