Pad Thai Soup with Shrimps and Vegetables Recipe

If you’re craving something cozy yet packed with bold flavors, let me introduce you to my Pad Thai Soup with Shrimps and Vegetables Recipe. This is one of those dishes that instantly feels like a warm hug — but with a fantastic kick of freshness and spice that keeps you coming back for more. When I first tried turning classic Pad Thai into a soup, I was surprised at how much easier and comforting it was, especially on chilly nights. Plus, it’s loaded with shrimps and vibrant veggies to keep things light but satisfying. Stick around, and I’ll share all my tips to help you nail it the first time!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe uses simple, fresh ingredients that harmonize beautifully. The key is to get sodium-free chicken stock to control salt levels and fresh veggies for crunch. Grab good quality Pad Thai noodles to soak up the flavors without turning mushy.

• Chicken stock: Opt for sodium-free or low-sodium to balance the soup’s salty and sour flavors perfectly.
• Garlic cloves: Fresh cloves mashed with salt create a fragrant paste that deepens the broth’s umami.
• Shallots: Thinly sliced, they add a subtle sweetness that mellows with cooking.
• Carrots: Sliced finely so they cook quickly without losing their bite.
• Red curry paste: A spoonful gives the soup its signature spicy, aromatic punch.
• Bok choy: Sliced into chunky pieces for a delightful fresh crunch and vibrant green color.
• Mushrooms: Thinly sliced remove any earthiness while adding texture.
• Pad Thai noodles: Rice noodles that soften just right during quick cooking in broth.
• Shrimps: Peeled and deveined to keep them tender and easy to eat.
• Ginger: Both grated and sliced to infuse a warming, zesty layer.
• Sugar: Balances out the heat and acidity without being sweet overkill.
• Lemon juice: Added at the end for a fresh, bright tang that wakes up the soup.
• Scallions: A handful chopped to sprinkle on top for a mild oniony crunch.

Variations

I love making this Pad Thai Soup with Shrimps and Vegetables Recipe my own depending on what’s in season or what my family wants. Feel free to swap or add your favorite ingredients — it’s your kitchen after all!

• Protein Swap: If you don’t eat seafood, chicken or tofu cubes work beautifully, and keep cooking times similar.
• Vegetable Boost: Broccoli florets, snap peas, or bell peppers add extra crunch and color to this vibrant soup.
• Make it Vegan: Use vegetable stock and tofu instead of shrimp, and adjust the curry paste to a vegan-certified brand.
• Extra Heat: Toss in fresh sliced red chili or a dash of chili oil for that spicy heat I personally adore.

How to Make Pad Thai Soup with Shrimps and Vegetables Recipe

Step 1: Build the Flavorful Broth

Start by pouring the chicken stock into a large heavy-bottomed pan, then add your shallot slices, grated and sliced ginger, sugar, and carrot slices. Bring this to a simmering boil. This gentle simmer helps all those flavors mingle — the sweetness from the carrots and shallots, the warmth of ginger, and the balance of sugar — creating the perfect savory base you’ll love.

Step 2: Make the Garlic Paste and Add Depth

While the broth is heating, grab your garlic cloves and a pinch of sea salt. Use the flat side of your knife blade to mash them together into a chunky paste. This might sound fussy, but trust me, it releases so much more flavor than just chopping or mincing. Stir this garlicky goodness into your broth — it’s a game-changer!

Step 3: Layer in the Curry and Vegetables

Next, stir in the red curry paste and add your thinly sliced mushrooms. That punch of curry paste brings a rich, aromatic heat that warms you right through. Let it blend for a couple minutes before moving on.

Step 4: Cook Noodles, Shrimp & Bok Choy

Add the Pad Thai noodles directly into the simmering broth and cook for about 3 minutes — you’ll notice they soften perfectly without getting mushy. Then, gently add your peeled, deveined shrimps and thickly sliced bok choy. Cook just until the shrimps turn pink and opaque, and the bok choy is tender but still crisp — that usually takes a couple of minutes.

Step 5: Serve with Fresh Finishing Touches

Ladle the hot soup into bowls, garnish with scallions, fresh red chili slices if you like a bit extra heat, and a generous squeeze of lemon juice right before eating. This final squeeze brings a bright, fresh zing that wakes all the flavors up beautifully.

How to Serve Pad Thai Soup with Shrimps and Vegetables Recipe

Garnishes

I usually garnish my bowl with sliced scallions, fresh red chili slices, and a lime or lemon wedge. The scallions add a sharp, fresh crunch, while the chili brings a pretty pop of heat. The citrus brightens every spoonful — I never serve this soup without it anymore!

Side Dishes

This soup is a meal on its own, but if I want to round it out, I love pairing it with crunchy spring rolls or a light cucumber salad. Sometimes steamed jasmine rice on the side helps soak up extra broth for those who want a heartier meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I serve the soup in pretty Asian-inspired bowls and add edible flowers or fresh cilantro sprigs on top. You can also prepare small portions in espresso cups as a fun appetizer for dinner parties — it’s always a conversation starter!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Because the noodles soak up broth over time, I recommend storing broth and noodles separately if you plan ahead. This keeps the noodles from getting mushy and the soup tasting fresh.

Freezing

Freezing is possible but not ideal due to the noodles. If you freeze the soup, do it without the noodles and add fresh ones when reheating. That way, you get a soup that tastes almost freshly made without the gummy texture.

Reheating

To reheat, warm the broth separately on the stove until steaming, then add fresh noodles and shrimps if you have them on hand. This way, the texture stays perfect, and the soup maintains its vibrant flavor.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Pad Thai Soup with Shrimps and Vegetables Recipe holds a special spot in my weekly rotation — it’s comforting, flavorful, and surprisingly quick to pull together. I love how it delivers all the joy of traditional Pad Thai but as a soup that warms you from the inside out. I’m excited for you to try it and maybe even make it your own with my tips and tricks. Trust me, once you tuck into a steaming bowl of this, it just might become your new favorite comfort meal!

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