Sour Shrimp Gaeng Som
Craving a punchy, tangy kick? This 30-minute stew hits every note.
When you're too tired to choose but want something that feels like a culinary hug, this Gaeng Som is your ultimate shortcut. It’s a Thai-style sour soup that relies on the perfect balance of tart and spicy flavors to wake up your palate without requiring hours over a hot stove. The shrimp cook in minutes, soaking up the fragrant turmeric and chili notes while the broth develops a deep, savory complexity. You'll love how the earthy aroma of lemongrass fills your kitchen, making it feel like you just stepped into a professional Thai kitchen. It’s comforting, bold, and incredibly satisfying—the perfect way to turn a 'what should I make?' night into a 'wow, that was easy' victory.
Ingredients
- 1 lb large shrimp — peeled and deveined
- 4 cup vegetable broth — or water
- 2 tbsp turmeric powder
- 3 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp tamarind paste — adjust to your preferred sourness
- 4 unit garlic — smashed
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger — thinly sliced
- 2 unit lemongrass — bruised and chopped
- 1 tsp dried red chili flakes
- 0.5 cup chopped tomatoes
- 1 tsp brown sugar
Method
- 1 In a large pot, combine the lemongrass, ginger, garlic, and chili flakes. Sauté over medium heat for 3 minutes until fragrant.
- 2 Add the turmeric powder and stir well to coat the aromatics.
- 3 Pour in the broth, fish sauce, tamarind paste, and brown sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- 4 Reduce heat and let simmer for 10 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- 5 Stir in the chopped tomatoes and cook for another 5 minutes.
- 6 Add the shrimp and simmer until they turn pink and opaque (about 3-5 minutes).
- 7 Taste and adjust seasoning with a pinch more fish sauce or a squeeze of lime if you want it extra tart.
Variations
- Vegetarian Swap — Replace the fish sauce with soy sauce and the shrimp with firm tofu cubes or chunks of zucchini.
- Extra Spicy — Add a teaspoon of Thai bird's eye chili paste (if available) for an extra kick of heat.
Notes
If you don't have tamarind paste, a substitute of 2 tbsp lime juice works beautifully for that signature tang.
Equipment that helps
- Large Pot — Allows enough room to simmer the broth and aromatics together comfortably.
- Chef's Knife — Essential for quickly prepping the ginger, garlic, and lemongrass.
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