Delicious Vegan Pho Recipe: A Plant-Based Twist on a Classic
This vegan pho recipe is a delicious vegetarian spin on the Vietnamese noodle soup! It has a rich, spiced broth filled with tender veggies and herbs.
What is Pho?
Pho is a Vietnamese noodle soup made with a rich, aromatic broth and rice noodles. Traditional pho (pronounced “fuh”) is typically made with beef broth, seasoned with fish sauce, charred onions, ginger, and warming spices like cinnamon, star anise, and cloves. It’s also filled with beef, noodles, and fresh garnishes like herbs, bean sprouts, and chiles.
Vegan Pho Ingredients
For this vegetarian recipe, you won’t find any beef or fish sauce. Instead, the broth is flavored with traditional charred aromatics and a blend of spices:
| Ingredient | Details |
|---|---|
| White onion and ginger | Charred under the broiler for smoky flavor. |
| Spices | Star anise, whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, coriander seeds, fennel seeds. |
| Shiitake mushrooms | Use the stems for the broth and sauté the caps. |
| Kombu seaweed and tamari | Add savory depth to the broth. |
| Rice noodles, bok choy, and baked tofu | Make the soup fresh and satisfying. |
| Rice vinegar | Used for sautéing veggies. |
| Mung bean sprouts, fresh herbs, and jalapeños | For garnishing. |
| Lime wedges and sriracha | Added to taste. |
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
How to Make Vegan Pho
Here’s a quick overview of the process:
-
Preparing the Pho Broth
Char the onions and ginger under the broiler to develop a smoky flavor and simmer with spices for a rich broth.
-
Preparing the Noodles and Vegetables
Sauté sliced mushrooms and bok choy, then prepare the rice noodles as directed on the package.
-
Serving
Divide the noodles and veggies into bowls, ladle in the hot broth, and top with fresh ingredients.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
The pho broth can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week or frozen for up to 3 months. If you have leftovers, store the noodles and veggies separately from the broth.
More Vegan Soup Recipes
If you love this vegan pho, try one of these delicious vegan soup recipes next:
Vegan Pho Recipe
This vegan pho recipe features a richly spiced broth filled with noodles, tender veggies, tofu, and fresh herbs. It’s a delicious vegetarian version of the classic Vietnamese soup!
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 40 mins
Total Time: 1 hr
Servings: 4
Ingredients for Broth
- 1 white onion, quartered
- 1 (3-inch) piece fresh ginger, halved lengthwise
- 4 star anise
- 4 whole cloves
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
- ½ teaspoon fennel seeds
- 8 cups water
- Stems from 8 ounces shiitake mushrooms
- 1 (4-inch) piece kombu
- ¼ cup tamari, plus more for serving
Ingredients for Soup
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 8 ounces shiitake mushrooms, stemmed and sliced
- Sea salt to taste
- 2 baby bok choy, quartered lengthwise
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
- 8 ounces rice noodles
- Baked tofu
- Mung bean sprouts (optional)
- 2 jalapeño peppers, stemmed and thinly sliced
- Fresh basil or Thai basil leaves
- Fresh cilantro
- Lime wedges, for serving
- Sriracha or chili oil, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven broiler to high and line a baking sheet with foil.
- Make the broth: Char the onion and ginger, then brew them with the spices in water for 30 minutes.
- Strain the broth into a bowl.
- In a skillet, sauté mushrooms and bok choy in avocado oil, adding rice vinegar towards the end.
- Prepare rice noodles as per package instructions.
- Divide noodles among four bowls and pour in the broth, then top with fresh herbs and lime.