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Home » Main Courses » Soups & Stews » Ginger Lemongrass Soup with Coconut Milk

Ginger Lemongrass Soup with Coconut Milk

Jan 10, 2022 · by Valentina · 31 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links.

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Ginger Lemongrass Soup with Coconut Milk is a vegan pot of soothing comfort that you won’t be able to get enough of. It will become one of your favorite lemongrass recipes!

large copper pot and ladle with ginger lemongrass soup

This vibrant soup is perfect for when it’s cold outside, if you're feeling under the weather, or simply for a delicious and healthy meal.

Packed with fresh vegetables and herbs, every spoonful of this ginger lemongrass soup bursts with aromatic zesty flavors that are subtly sweet, spicy and sour.

The Ingredients

several galss prep bowls with chopped carrots, peppers, lemongrass, onions, ginger

Look at the beautiful collection of fresh ingredients above.

  • lemongrass - You should be able to find lemongrass at most grocery stores, and definitely in Asian markets. Choose stalks that are aromatic, firm, and heavy for their size. They should be a creamy pale yellow color towards the bottom and light to bright green on top.
  • fresh ginger - Fresh ginger roots should be firm and feel heavy for their size.
  • vegetable stock - Low-sodium or sodium-free.
  • garlic - Look for firm heads of garlic without any soft spots or green shoots, which are an indication it's old and likely bitter.
  • coconut milk - Preferably not light coconut milk.
  • Mung bean sprouts - These will add a very subtle crunch. They're sold both loose and in in bags..
  • red bell pepper - I love the pop of color this adds to the soup. Look for peppers that are firm, deeply colored and shiny.
  • carrots - Choose firm, plump carrots, preferably without little roots on the bottom.
  • green onion (scallions) - Select onions with crisp green tops. Both the white and green portions are in lemongrass soup.
  • lime juice - I find that limes with smoother skin are the most juicy.
  • fresh cilantro - Choose bright green perky bunches.
  • fresh basil - Choose bright green perky bunches. (Bunches with smaller leaves will be more tender and a touch sweet.)
  • curry paste - The curry paste is to add a bit more of a kick if desired. Red or yellow curry pastes are best of this recipe.
  • salt
  • black pepper - Preferably freshly ground.
  • sugar - Just the tiniest bit.

(See recipe card below for quantities.)

What is lemongrass?

  • Lemongrass is native to the tropical and sub-tropical climates of Asia, Australia and Africa.
  • It has a tender creamy white core at the bottom of the stalk that's sometimes purple-ish inside, and it’s this portion that has a wonderful and distinct citrus flavor with notes of ginger, lime, and mint. While this bright flavor is subtle, it greatly enhances dishes that include it.
  • Lemongrass is primarily common in Thai, Indian, Indonesian, and Vietnamese cooking.

Fresh Lemongrass Substitutions

If you can't find lemongrass, here are some ingredients that are good replacements:

  • Lemon zest. Use the zest from 1 medium-large lemon to replace 2 stalks of Lemongrass (bottom white portion).
  • Lemon verbena. Use approximately 3 lemon verbena leaves to replace 1 stalk of lemongrass (bottom white portion).
  • Kaffiir lime leaves. Use approximately 2 leaves to replace 1 stalk of lemongrass (bottom white portion).
  • Lemongrass paste (also called Kroeung). Use approximately 1 tablespoon to replace 1 stalk of lemongrass (bottom white portion).

You might also find jarred lemongrass, which would typically be used in approximately equal amounts.

Other Substitutions and Variations

  • You can add all sorts of vegetables to this soup, or substitute some for others. Spinach, bok choy, mushrooms, and potatoes are great with the ginger lemongrass broth.
  • For a heartier meal, add tofu, noodles or rice.
  • This ginger lemongrass soup recipe is vegan, but if that's not important to you, you can certainly add chicken, meat or seafood if desired. (It’s delicious with shrimp.)

In addition to the pure deliciousness of this soup, ginger and lemongrass recipes offer a multitude of health benefits and medicinal qualities.

You can read about why these two special ingredients are so good for you here.

bottom of a pot with pieces of ginger, lemongrass and garlic

Recipe Tips

  • Working with lemongrass might be daunting if you’re new to it. Here's an introduction to this aromatic ingredient, and how to use it.
  • We only use the bottom white/lighter portion of lemongrass stalks. Unfortunately the rest doesn't impart much (if any) flavor, so I don't even save it for stocks or other uses.
  • The recipe instructs you to infuse the liquid with the ginger and lemongrass for at least 90 minutes (45 minutes simmering and 45 steeping). You can do it for a longer period of time to intensify the flavors.
  • Sometimes when cooking with coconut milk, it can appear curdled. Whisking it before adding it to the recipe can help prevent this. And throughout the cooking process, if it appears to be separating at all, just whisk again to bring it back together.
  • I add a small amount of Thai curry paste to this recipe for an extra kick — you can add more or less, depending on your taste. You can also add chili paste or red chili flakes for more heat. (Store bought or homemade curry paste is okay.)
Roughly choopped fresh ginger in a glass bowl

How to Make it

- Cut off the dark green portions of the lemongrass stalks and discard them (in the compost). It’s the bottom lighter, 3 or 4 inches you want to use. Use your fingers to gently split, and then pull away the outer stiff layer of the lemongrass.

- It should come off in one piece. (Sometimes it’s necessary to take off a second layer — to get to the softest portion of the lemongrass.) Use a meat mallet to firmly, but gently, smash the remaining lemongrass. (If you don’t have a meat mallet, you can use the bottom of a small sauté pan.)

Three small pieces of a lemon stalk.
Part of a lemon stalk with a meat mallet above it.
Crushed lemon stalk with a meat mallet above it.

*Click here for a more detailed photographic guide that shows you how to prep the lemongrass step-by-step.

- Add the lemongrass, ginger and garlic to a large pot (about 4 quart). Pour the coconut milk and stock on top and bring to a boil. Immediately reduce the heat to low, cover and gently simmer for 45 minutes. Then turn off the heat, keep the pot covered, and let the ingredients infuse for another 45 minutes.

- Strain the liquid over a large bowl, discard the lemongrass, ginger and garlic. Pour the broth back into the pot. Add all of the vegetables, cover and simmer until they’re tender, about 15 minutes.

- Add the lime juice, cilantro, basil and curry paste (if desired). Then season to taste with salt, pepper and sugar.

Serving Suggestions

Really, a generous portion of lemongrass soup alone is a fantastic one pot meal.

If you want to accompany it with other dishes however, below are a few delicious ideas:

  • Miso Fried Rice
  • Ginger Chicken Dumplings
  • Garlic Coconut Gai Lan
  • Baby Bok Choy with Crispy Garlic
  • Miso glazed Pork Chops and Broccolini
Several lemongrass stalks in a glass bowl

More Soothing Soup Recipes

  • Coconut Spiced Carrot Soup
  • Gai Lan Soup Recipe with Egg
  • Kimchi Ramen Recipe with Egg
  • Kotosoupa Avgolemono (Greek Chicken Lemon Soup)
Square white bowl with ginger lemongrass soup and fresh cilantro

Can you make it ahead?

This soup is equally as delicious the next day — if not more so. If it's refrigerated in a tightly sealed container, it should be good for at least four days.

It can be frozen for up to a month (in a tightly sealed container).

I hope you love every last spoonful!

large copper pot ginger lemongrass soup with coconut milk

Ginger Lemongrass Soup with Coconut Milk

Valentina K. Wein
Ginger Lemongrass Soup with Coconut Milk is a vegan pot of soothing comfort that you won’t be able to get enough of. It's perfect for when it’s cold outside, if you're feeling under the weather, or simply for a delicious and healthy meal.
5 from 6 votes
Print
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 1 hour hr
Steeping Time 45 minutes mins
Total Time 2 hours hrs 5 minutes mins
Course Soup
Cuisine Asain
Servings 6
Calories 213 kcal

Equipment

  • 4 quart pot
  • meat pounder

Ingredients
 
 

  • 4 stalks lemongrass
  • ½ cup roughly chopped fresh ginger, peeled
  • 8 cups vegetable stock
  • 2 tablespoons smashed garlic cloves (about 3)
  • 1½ cups coconut milk (preferably not light)
  • 2 cups Mung bean sprouts, washed and dried
  • 1½ cups sliced red bell pepper,
  • 1½ cups cups thinly sliced carrots, peeled (matchstick-sized)
  • ¾ cup thinly sliced scallions, washed and dried
  • juice of 1 lime
  • 1 cup loosely packed cilantro leaves,
  • ½ cup loosely packed small basil leaves
  • 1 tablespoon (or to taste) curry paste (red or yellow) if desired for a kick
  • salt, pepper and sugar to taste

Instructions
 

  • Prep lemongrass. Cut off the dark green portions of the lemongrass stalks and discard them. It’s the bottom lighter, 3 or 4 inches you want to use. Use your fingers to gently split, and then pull away the outer stiff layer of the lemongrass. It should come off in one piece. (Sometimes it’s necessary to take off a second layer — to get to the softest portion of the lemongrass.) Use a meat mallet to firmly, but gently, smash the remaining lemongrass. (If you don’t have a meat mallet, you can use the bottom of a small sauté pan.) *Here's a photographic guide that shows you how to prep the lemongrass step-by-step .
  • Infuse. Add the lemongrass, ginger and garlic to a large pot (about 4 quart). Pour the coconut milk and stock on top and bring to a boil. Immediately reduce the heat to low, cover and gently simmer for 45 minutes. Then turn off the heat, keep the pot covered, and let the ingredients infuse for another 45 minutes.
  • Strain. Strain the liquid over a large bowl, discard the lemongrass, ginger and garlic. Pour the broth back into the pot.
  • Add and cook vegetables. Add all of the vegetables, cover and simmer until they’re tender, about 15 minutes.
  • Season and serve. Add the lime juice, cilantro, basil and curry paste (if desired). Then season to taste with salt, pepper and sugar. (Here's How to Season to Taste.) Serve!

NOTES

Nutritional information is only an estimate.

NUTRITION

Calories: 213kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1293mg | Potassium: 567mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 7600IU | Vitamin C: 62mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 3mg
Keywords fall and winter soups, vegan soups
Have you tried this recipe?I'd love to see it on Instagram! Tag me at @cookingontheweekends or leave a comment & rating below.

Cooking On The Weekends is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. angiesrecipes

    January 10, 2022 at 7:59 pm

    I would eat this soup even when it's HOT outside. Seriously, the flavour is amazing and the ingredients are so fresh. Just fantastic!

    Reply
    • valentina

      January 16, 2022 at 11:07 am

      Thank you, Angie. Any weather is soup weather sometimes. 😉 ~Valentina

      Reply
  2. Jeff the Chef @ Make It Like a Man!

    January 11, 2022 at 6:57 am

    This surely does sound comforting. I love the combination of ginger, garlic, and coconut milk!

    Reply
    • valentina

      January 16, 2022 at 11:07 am

      Thanks, Jeff! Enjoy. 🙂 ~Valentina

      Reply
  3. David

    January 11, 2022 at 3:06 pm

    What great combinations of flavors! I can imagine spooning this down as we’re sitting by the fire…By the way, made your tofu and broccoli last night with the sesame-honey-soy-sambal oelek (you use sriracha) glaze — so good!

    Reply
    • valentina

      January 16, 2022 at 11:08 am

      Hi David! Oh it makes me so happy you made the tofu-broccoli recipe. Coincidentally, I made it this past week too. Thank you for sharing. 🙂 ~Valentina

      Reply
  4. Christina

    January 11, 2022 at 4:11 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious! I love that it's vegan, as well! Thanks for this great recipe, Valentina!

    Reply
    • valentina

      January 16, 2022 at 11:09 am

      Thanks, Christina. Hope you try it and enjoy. 🙂 ~Valentina

      Reply
  5. Eha

    January 11, 2022 at 7:56 pm

    5 stars
    Love it ! Shall copy ! And in SE and S Asia such offerings are prepared at the hottest time of the year to make one cool !!! Like it that you do use meaningful amounts of ingredients like bean sprouts and coriander instead of the token bits many do . . . Have to laugh at myself - usually prepare all my own 'curry' spice mixtures bar those needed for Thai cooking - and yet I have attended Royal Thai cooking classes in Bangkok on more than one occasion . . . red definitely for me in this instance . . .

    Reply
    • valentina

      January 16, 2022 at 11:12 am

      Thank you, Eha. Wow, how fantastic that you took cooking classes in Thailand! That has always been a dream of mine -- on my bucket list for sure. 🙂 I think red curry past is my favorite, although I love them all. Thanks for visiting, as always. ~Valentina

      Reply
  6. Chef Mimi

    January 12, 2022 at 7:56 am

    Fabulous. Thai flavors are incredible. I need to grow lemongrass again, because I can’t find it. I don’t like too much of it, which is why I typically reach for the red Thai cherry paste and not the green. Wish I had a bowl now!

    Reply
    • valentina

      January 16, 2022 at 11:13 am

      Hi Mimi, and thank you. Very cool to grow your own lemongrass. I must see if it would grow well where I am. That would be fantastic. 🙂 ~Valentina

      Reply
  7. John / Kitchen Riffs

    January 12, 2022 at 7:58 am

    This looks wonderful! Tons of flavor in this. TONS! 🙂

    Reply
    • valentina

      January 16, 2022 at 11:14 am

      Indeed -- a whole lotta flavor! I hope you try it, John. Thanks! 🙂 ~Valentina

      Reply
  8. Cathy

    January 12, 2022 at 2:12 pm

    That is my idea of the perfect comfort soup!

    Reply
    • valentina

      January 16, 2022 at 11:15 am

      Thank you, Cathy. (Me too!) 🙂 Valentina

      Reply
      • Colette

        May 04, 2023 at 1:05 pm

        DE-licious! I want a big bowl of this now!
        xo

        Reply
        • Valentina

          May 11, 2023 at 8:30 pm

          Hi Colette! Thanks for stopping by. Hope you try it. 🙂 ~Valentina

          Reply
  9. 2pots2cook

    January 13, 2022 at 1:21 am

    5 stars
    So beautiful to eat after all those holidays treats ! Thank you so much !

    Reply
    • valentina

      January 16, 2022 at 11:17 am

      Thank you, my friend! 🙂 Valentina

      Reply
  10. Ann Marie

    January 15, 2022 at 8:19 am

    If you can't find fresh lemongrass, would the jarred work? This is the ingredients -
    Lemongrass, Water, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid (Preservative).

    Reply
    • valentina

      January 15, 2022 at 10:21 am

      Hi Ann Marie. Thanks so much for writing in and asking this question -- I really appreciate it as it's a question many readers might have. I'm going to add a list of lemongrass substitutes to the post as a result. In the meantime . . . yes, I do think the jarred would work. While I haven't had experience with it, from what I've learned, it should be okay. Please let me know how it turns out. I hope you have a great weekend and thanks again. 🙂 ~Valentina

      Reply
      • Ann Marie

        January 15, 2022 at 12:53 pm

        Thank you so much for the quick reply! I can't wait to try this!! 🙂

        Reply
  11. Liz

    January 18, 2022 at 5:08 pm

    5 stars
    Oh, how I love flavorful soups like this! Hot, creamy and delicious!! A perfect winter treat!

    Reply
    • valentina

      January 25, 2022 at 6:11 pm

      Thanks so much, Liz! 🙂 ~Valentina

      Reply
  12. Emily B

    July 30, 2022 at 3:58 pm

    5 stars
    Wow. Made this for dinner tonight and the whole family devoured it. Kids age 2, 5, and 13, even! A really delicious recipe - thank you!

    Reply
    • valentina

      August 02, 2022 at 4:13 pm

      Hi Emily, Thanks so much for sharing this note. So happy you and your family loved it. Impressive palates on your kiddos! 🙂 ~Valentina

      Reply
  13. Spring has spring

    April 05, 2023 at 5:14 pm

    Did you know that in Latin America they harvest the leaves in tie in bundles to make the most lovely teas?? So good. So both parts of the plant can be used. I tie the leaves in bundles and store them in the freezer.

    Reply
    • Valentina

      April 13, 2023 at 3:00 pm

      Great info. Thanks so much for this. 🙂 ~Valentina

      Reply
  14. Katie Davis

    February 05, 2024 at 9:04 am

    5 stars
    I don't often leave comments but I REALLY wanted you to know how much my family loves this soup. My mom--formerly a big foodie--has dementia and doesn't eat enough of anything anymore. But she *gobbles* this soup.
    I now get regular cravings for it, and when I tell my husband I'm going to make it, expecting pushback because we so recently had it, he says, "GREAT!" So, thank you for printing it, and know you are nourishing people in more than just the physical way. 😎

    Reply
    • Valentina

      February 05, 2024 at 12:35 pm

      Hi Katie. You have totally made my day. I really appreciate you taking the time to write in. I especially love hearing about your mom and how he loves the soup. My father wasn't well for a while and I remember how good if felt (for both of us!) when he'd eat a nourishing and hearty meal. Here's to many more cravings for it. 🙂 Warmly, Valentina

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Valentina, certified chef, owner, recipe developer and photographer at Cooking on the Weekends. I'm also a mom of two boys and a Los Angeleno. I use seasonal whole foods to create unique and comforting recipes for casual entertaining.

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