Thai Coconut Curry Seafood Soup

Your palate will be singing when you make this easy, comforting Thai Coconut Curry Seafood Soup. This version features the addition of light coconut milk for a creamy coconut broth, making it so healthy too!

If you're feeling the love for Thai food on a cold winter's day, this mildly spicy Thai seafood curry with coconut milk soup will surely bring on the body heat! This comforting bowl of yum will fulfill your soup and seafood cravings with its abundance of seafood, and fragrant herbs and aromatic flavors in the broth. Skip the take-out and make this easy Thai dish at home!

I like to see what's calling my name at the seafood market for this dish. Really, you can add any fresh shellfish and fish that you like.

Types of seafood you can use in this dish

I chose a firm white fish (cod), mussels, shrimp, and sea scallops for my seafood soup. But fresh calamari, clams, oysters, lobster, and crab would also be fabulous in this dish!

TIP: When using fish, make sure it's a firm fish (like cod, mahi mahi, or halibut) so it doesn't fall apart when cooked.

Ingredients you'll need for the broth

Most of these are basic pantry items that can be found in the Asian section at your local grocery store, or click the links below. It's so easy it is to make this beautiful seafood soup!

• shallots
• garlic cloves
• fresh ginger
• red curry paste
• light coconut milk
• chicken broth
• sambal oelek
• fish sauce
• low-sodium soy sauce
• fresh lime juice

[*See recipe card for exact quantities.]

Substitutions

• Make it gluten-free. Use these products instead: gluten-free soy sauce (or coconut aminos) and gluten-free fish sauce.
• Make it low-carb. Use cauliflower rice or rice noodles.
• Don't like seafood? Swap out the seafood for chicken or pork. These proteins work great in this recipe as well!

The abundance of seafood in this Thai curry soup makes this dish insanely delicious! Not to mention that broth with its spicy and sour notes and fragrant spices and herbs, plus the creaminess from the coconut milk. Wow!

You might want to try this awesome and easy, Asian-inspired Steamed Mussels with Smoky Bacon recipe too. It's on the dinner table in just 20 minutes!

Is coconut curry soup good for you?

The answer is YES! Not only is this soup low in fat, with just 252 calories per serving (without the rice), but it contains healthy nutrients in the seafood and the broth with essential vitamins and minerals. You'll feel good about going for that second bowl!

How to make coconut curry seafood soup

You'll be surprised at how easy it is to prepare this delicious Thai soup! Probably the most time-consuming part here is prepping the seafood.

Make the broth:

1. Heat the canola oil over medium-high heat in a large stock pot or Dutch oven.
2. Sauté the shallots, garlic, and ginger for 3 to 5 minutes until fragrant. Add in the red curry paste and stir to coat.
3. Stir in coconut milk, chicken broth, sambal oelek, fish sauce, soy sauce, and lime juice. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 15 minutes on low heat.

Cook the seafood:

1. Add in the sliced mushrooms, scallops, and cod fish and cook for 2 minutes.
2. Add in the shrimp and mussels. Cover the pot and cook for about 5 to 6 minutes until all of the mussels have opened. (Discard any unopened mussels.)
3. Remove from heat. Toss in the basil and cilantro.
4. Serve over the rice and garnish with extra herbs.

*[See recipe card for more detailed instructions.]

Tips and tricks

• Don't like seafood? Swap out the seafood for chicken or pork. These proteins work great in this recipe as well!
• The flavors of this Thai Coconut Curry Seafood Soup only improve overnight, so it makes fantastic leftovers. 
• This soup should be stored in an airtight container in your refrigerator for 2-3 days. It also freezes well in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
• When ready to eat, let soup defrost in the refrigerator overnight.

Want more recipes like this?

If you liked this Thai Coconut Curry Seafood Soup, you're going to want these recipes too!

• Thai Clear Soup with Chicken and Tofu
• Coconut Curry Tofu and Shrimp
• Steamed Mussels with Smoky Bacon
• Thai Curry Chicken with Rice
• Mini Thai Crab Cakes with Spicy Aioli

Update Notes: This post was originally published on February 14, 2016, but was republished with slight text changes and additions, like new images, step-by-step instructions, and tips in January 2022.

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