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Thai Tom Saap Pork Ribs Soup Recipe [Paleo, AIP, Keto]

One of the things I’ve discovered traveling through Southeast Asia is that many of the delicious traditional recipes are often Paleo and AIP (often without intending to be) or can be made so very easily.

One of my favorite recipes in Thailand is the Tom Saap Pork Ribs Soup, which I discovered on a street food tour in Chiang Mai.

Typically, this soup is made with plenty of chilis, but I’ve made friends with the woman (PJ) who runs that street cart, and so she always prepares it extra mild for me.

Recently, I tried my hand at making the soup as it’s pretty straightforward if you can find the ingredients. I’ve offered suggestions for substitutions for some of the harder to find items.

Thai Tom Saap Pork Ribs Soup Recipe Infographic – Please Pin

Thai Tom Saap Pork Ribs Soup Recipe

STEP 1: Chop up your shallots and lemongrass into large chunks. Slice the galangal into thick slices.

STEP 2: Place the pork spare ribs into a large pot of water and boil for 10 minutes. Pour out the liquid with the froth.

STEP 3: Pour approx. 8 cups of new water into the pot with the ribs, and add in the shallots, lemongrass, galangal, and salt.

STEP 4: Simmer on low heat with the lid on (so you don’t lose all the great soup) for 1 hour. Check the ribs are tender, then add in the kaffir lime leaves, (chilis if you want it spicy and if you’re not on AIP), fish sauce, the juice from 1 lime, and salt to taste.

Here’s a Slideshare of Thai Tom Saap Pork Ribs Soup

Thai Tom Saap Pork Ribs Soup Recipe [Paleo, AIP, Keto]

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• Author: Louise Hendon
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
• Category: Entree
• Cuisine: Thai

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Ingredients

• 1 lb pork spare ribs (get small ones if possible cut into 2-inch chunks) (you can use other meats if you prefer)
• 2 small red shallots, chopped into large chunks (or use 1 large yellow onion)
• 3–4 small lemongrass stalks, chopped
• 10 thick slices of galangal (or use ginger)
• 8 cups water
• 10 kaffir lime leaves (or use cilantro), tear them up
• Juice from 1 lime
• 2 Tablespoons fish sauce
• Salt to taste
• Optional: chilis, green onions for garnish

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Instructions

1. Place the pork spare ribs into a large pot of water and boil for 10 minutes. Pour out the liquid with the froth.
2. Pour approx. 8 cups of new water into the pot with the ribs, and add in the shallots, lemongrass, galangal, and salt to the pot.
3. Simmer on low heat with the lid on (so you don’t lose all the great soup) for 1 hour.
4. Check the ribs are tender, then add in the kaffir lime leaves, (chilis if you want it spicy and if you’re not on AIP), fish sauce, the juice from 1 lime, and salt to taste.