30-minute quick and easy vegan pho recipe - Rhubarbarians (2024)

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30-minute easy vegan pho recipe! This quick Vietnamese noodle soup has a flavorful broth and is the perfect vegetarian one-pot meal for busy weeknights.

30-minute quick and easy vegan pho recipe - Rhubarbarians (1)

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I received a copy of Weeknight One-Pot Vegan Cooking by Nicole Malik for review and am sharing this vegan pho recipe with permission. All opinions are my own.

Hey, Rhubarbarians! Another day, another easy yet fantastic vegetarian meal.

This recipe today is kind of a cheater vegan version of your favorite Vietnamese noodle soup. Pho! We've made it 3 times in the last month and it's definitely a go-to recipe for us now. So good. It comes from the pages of Nicole Malik's cookbook Weeknight One-Pot Vegan Cooking!

Bookmark our mega list of easy vegetarian dinner recipes here!

Jump to:
  • Quick and easy pho
  • Make the broth
  • The noodles
  • The toppings
  • Weeknight One-Pot Vegan Cooking cookbook review
  • FAQs
  • Recipe
  • Comments and reviews

Quick and easy pho

Sometimes, we just want a big bowl of pho without having to go out to a restaurant. And we also don't want to let a pot simmer on the stove all day.

Sometimes, we just want some EASY WEEKNIGHT PHO. Right? Yes.

Putting authenticity aside, you CAN make a super flavorful broth for this pho in a very short amount of time. This entire recipe only takes 30 minutes!

Have you tried our Thai curried butternut squash soup?

30-minute quick and easy vegan pho recipe - Rhubarbarians (2)

Make the broth

The broth is, in my opinion, is the most important part of a bowl of pho. Vegan or not, it needs to be rich with flavor. This broth gets tons of flavor from mushrooms, onions, and Chinese five-spice powder.

  • Heat some oil in a pot and saute all of your aromatics together. Everything will begin to soften and become very fragrant.
  • Add vegetable broth (I like Better Than Bouillon's seasoned vegetable base) and bring to a boil.
  • Move on to the next step to add the noodles!

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The noodles

You've just GOTTA have noodles in your pho. And they definitely have to be rice noodles. The noodles are cooked directly in the broth in this recipe, which gives them more flavor.

If you're looking for the noodles in restaurant pho, look for flat rice noodles!

The toppings

Aaaaah, the pho toppings. We all have our faves.

  • Bean sprouts
  • Red chile pepper
  • Jalapeno
  • Lime
  • Fresh cilantro
  • Fresh basil
  • Hoisin sauce
  • Sriracha or red chile sauce

Have you tried our easy vegan stir fry sauce?

30-minute quick and easy vegan pho recipe - Rhubarbarians (4)

Weeknight One-Pot Vegan Cooking cookbook review

"Plant-based cooking just got easier than ever! Cleanup is a snap when your dinner cooks in one dish, and getting more plants into your diet is downright delicious with approchable yet inspired recipes."

You guys. This cookbook is AWESOME. Imagine "75 effortless recipes with maximum flavor and minimal cleanup." That's what you'll find in this book.

Weeknight One-Pot Vegan Cooking is written by Nicole Malik of Delicious Everyday. Her website is full of delicious and inspired vegetarian/vegan recipes. In this cookbook, she has compiled her favorite weeknight dinner recipes that are all made in just one dish.

Chapters include: Eat your veggies, Eat with your hands, Crowd-pleasing comfort food, Incredible grains, Bowls of deliciousness, Rise and shine, and Simply sweet one-pot treats.

You can find Nicole's cookbook on Amazon and don't forget to check out her website!

30-minute quick and easy vegan pho recipe - Rhubarbarians (5)

FAQs

  1. Can I make this in the Instant Pot? Well, yes. But it's really not necessary. It really wouldn't save you any time and the noodles would turn to mush. So, maybe not.
  2. How can I store the leftovers? This recipe honestly doesn't make great leftovers. The noodles and the toppings are best when eaten right away. See below for meal prep options!
  3. Can I make this for meal prep? YEP! You'll want to cook the broth and keep the noodles and toppings separate. When you're ready to eat, heat the noodles with the broth and then add the toppings.

Got more questions? Let me know in the comments below!

30-minute quick and easy vegan pho recipe - Rhubarbarians (6)

Recipe

30-minute quick and easy vegan pho recipe - Rhubarbarians (7)

Quick and easy vegan pho recipe

Nicole Malik

30-minute easy vegan pho recipe! This quick Vietnamese noodle soup has a flavorful broth and is the perfect vegetarian one-pot meal for busy weeknights.

4.80 from 15 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course dinner, entree, Main Course, Soup

Cuisine American, Vietnamese

Servings 4 servings

Calories 242 kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion, thinly sliced
  • 5 oz sliced shiitake mushrooms
  • 2 medium scallions, sliced, greens and whites separated
  • 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon ginger paste
  • salt, to taste
  • black pepper, to taste
  • 6 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 5oz package rice noodles

For serving

  • ¼ cup bean sprouts (optional)
  • sliced red chili pepper (optional)
  • fresh cilantro (optional)
  • hot sauce, such as Sriracha (optional)

Instructions

  • Heat the olive oil in a large stockpot over medium heat. Add the onion, mushrooms, scallion whites, Chinese five-spice powder, red pepper flakes, ginger paste, salt and pepper. Cook for 4-5 minutes, until the mushrooms begin to soften.

  • Add the vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Add the rice noodles and simmer for 5 minutes.

  • Top with the sprouts, red chili pepper and cilantro (if using). Garnish with the reserved scallion greens and serve with hot sauce.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bowlCalories: 242kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 1gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 1416mgPotassium: 168mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 826IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 16mgIron: 1mg

Keyword vegan, vegetarian

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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30-minute quick and easy vegan pho recipe - Rhubarbarians (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret ingredient in pho broth? ›

Sa sung—dried peanut worms—have been described as the secret ingredient of great pho.

What is vegan pho broth made of? ›

The broth is made from charred vegetables and toasted spices to create that complex flavor. It's then served with rice noodles along with a variety of herbs and fresh mung bean sprouts.

What's the difference between beef broth and pho broth? ›

One of the key differences is the spices used in the broth. Pho broth typically contains a combination of cinnamon, star anise, cloves, coriander, fennel seeds, and ginger, which give it a warm, aromatic flavor that is unique to this type of broth.

What makes pho so delicious? ›

Pho delights the palate with a savory broth infused with aromatic spices and a medley of fresh toppings. The result is a harmonious and flavorful culinary experience that captures the essence of Vietnamese cuisine.

What gives pho its distinct flavor? ›

Spices: There are 5 important spices in pho broth — star anise, whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, and coriander seeds. I really recommend using the whole (not ground) spices if possible, which we will briefly toast to bring out extra flavor.

What are the sea worms in pho? ›

What is Sá Sùng? The secret flavor bomb in that bowl of Phở They're marine (sea) worms that were first described in 1827 by a French zoologist. There are over 140 different kinds of these delicious flavor bombs, and some are teeny tiny (2 millimeters long) while others can be as long as 28 inches.

Is pho broth anti inflammatory? ›

Pho is very nutritious. From its ingredients, it's been shown to reduce inflammation and improve joint health. If you suffer from something like chronic pain or arthritis, you may want to entertain the idea of enjoying more pho. The broth particularly can be very anti-inflammation.

Is Ramen broth the same as pho broth? ›

If you compare the two soups side by side, the noodles in pho are soft and translucent, and the noodles in ramen are firm and chewy. Pho broth is thin and clear, and ramen broth is usually dark and cloudy.

Which noodles to use for pho? ›

Noodles: I use an 8 oz. package of dried rice vermicelli noodles, but you can use any kind of THIN rice noodles. Meat– chicken, pork, steak or raw shrimp. It's important to slice the meat as thinly as possible, against the grain.

Is pho broth good for your gut? ›

I would argue, absolutely. Not only are the benefits of bone broth numerous, including digestive repair, skin and joint health, but adding in healing spices and herbs boosts the benefits even more.

Is drinking pho broth good for you? ›

"Made with rice noodles and a rich beef bone stock, it's a perfect vehicle for bean sprouts and nutrient-rich herbs." The soup itself, a rich bone broth, is filled with health benefits for your body, including your immune and digestive system, and your bones and joints.

Are you supposed to drink all the broth in pho? ›

When it comes to proper etiquette when eating pho, one of the most important aspects is slurping. Slurping noodles and broth helps cool down hot food and enhances the dish's flavor.

What makes pho unhealthy? ›

"One single bowl of pho may be near the daily limit of sodium." To make your pho healthier, Geiger suggests that you look closely at the portion size or reduce the amount of sodium by cutting back on broth or making a bowl at home.

What is the brown stuff in pho? ›

What is the brown sauce in Vietnamese restaurants? Hoisin sauce! It's a sweet kind of "plum" sauce ish texture that's often used for dipping meat in. Many people use it to put into their pho to amp up the flavour as well.

What are the crunchy things in pho? ›

Finished with a flurry of fresh herbs, like cilantro and basil, as well as crunchy bean sprouts, hot chiles, and tart lime, pho makes a restorative meal any time of day.

What makes pho broth different? ›

Pho Broth Spices and Other ingredients

The spices are toasted to bring out the flavour before adding into the pot. And the ginger and onion are charred to add a subtle smokey flavour into the broth – a secret little step that adds that extra something-something to make this pho recipe authentic and traditional!

How do you make pho broth taste better? ›

For the most interesting flavor, use a variety.
  1. Onion and fresh ginger: I love the onion and ginger in this broth. ...
  2. Pho spices: Our broth simmers with cinnamon sticks, whole coriander seeds, fennel seeds, star anise, cloves, and a black cardamom pod. ...
  3. Rock sugar: Sugar balances the savoriness of our beef broth.

Why is pho broth so good? ›

The broth is the soul of pho, easily the most important component. Though chicken variants exist, pho broth is typically made from beef, onions/shallots, ginger, yellow rock sugar, fish sauce, and spices. The broth is where the flavor is and It's what makes pho, pho.

How is pho broth so clear? ›

Hi korean recipes soak meat in cold water a half hour to remove blood and impurities before cooking to get a clear broth.

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