Lemongrass Soup: Easy Crock Pot Version with Coconut
Warm up with this easy lemongrass soup recipe! A Thai coconut chicken soup with lemongrass that delivers on tasty flavor, crockpot style,
Equipment
- 1 Pair garden clippers or pruners
- 1 3-4 quart crock pot
- 1 cutting board
- 1 Sharp knife
- 1 Soup ladle
- 1 Set of measuring spoons
Ingredients
- 2 stalks lemongrass trimmed and smashed (or 1½ tsp lemongrass paste)
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth 1 32-ounce carton of broth
- 1 13.5 ounce can coconut milk or 1 can coconut cream + 1/2 cup water
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger powder or more to taste
- 3 cloves garlic smashed (or 1/2 tsp minced garlic or 1 tsp garlic powder)
- 1 small onion sliced (optional, but adds depth)
- 1-2 Thai chilies or chili flakes, or a squirt of sriracha (optional heat)
- 2 cups mushrooms (fresh or canned), sliced
- 1-2 cups cooked chicken, shrimp, or tofu (add near the end)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp lime juice (fresh or bottled)
- 1 tsp sugar or honey to taste
- fresh cilantro or green onion (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Harvest 2 stalks of lemongrass. Trim the sharp leaves off and peel the outer tough layers. Smash (bruise) with the back of a knife. Cut each stalk (mine turned out to be about 1 foot long) into two pieces. You want to make sure the lemongrass is easy to remove before serving, so keep the pieces large.
- Add to crock pot: broth, lemongrass, ginger, garlic, onion, chilies, and mushrooms.
- Cook on LOW 6–7 hours or HIGH 3–4 hours. This allows the aromatics to infuse.
- About 30 minutes before serving, stir in coconut milk/cream, protein (chicken, shrimp, or tofu), soy sauce, lime juice, and sugar. (I usually do not add any extra sweetness.)
- Taste and adjust seasoning. Add more lime for brightness or soy sauce for saltiness.
- Remove lemongrass stalks before serving.
- Garnish with cilantro or green onion.
Notes
The calorie count is based on a one-cup serving of lemongrass soup and contains none of the optional ingredients. Chicken was used for the protein in the calorie count.