pho recipe vegan

Pho Recipe

This pho recipe is a simple, comforting Vietnamese-inspired noodle soup made with fragrant broth, rice noodles, and your choice of protein. It is designed for home cooks who want great flavor without long simmering times. This version works well as an easy pho recipe, chicken pho recipe, beef pho recipe, or vegetarian pho recipe. Fresh herbs, lime, and chili toppings let everyone adjust the flavor to their liking.

pho recipe instant pot
pho recipe instant pot

Ingredients

  • 8 oz dried rice vermicelli noodles
  • 6 cups broth (chicken, beef, or vegetable, based on protein)
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 large yellow onion, quartered
  • 2 pieces fresh ginger (about 2 inches each), unpeeled and sliced lengthwise
  • ¼ teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 whole clove
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1½ tablespoons fish sauce (skip for vegan pho)
  • ¼ teaspoon hoisin sauce
  • ¼ teaspoon soy sauce
  • ¼ teaspoon red chili paste or sambal oelek
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • ½ lb protein of choice (thinly sliced beef, chicken breast, pork tenderloin, or raw shrimp)

Garnishes

  • 4 green onions, finely chopped
  • 1 cup fresh bean sprouts
  • 1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Thai basil leaves
  • 1–2 fresh jalapeños or red Thai chilies, thinly sliced
  • Lime wedges
  • Sriracha or extra chili paste (optional)

Directions

  • Place a large pot over medium heat and add the onion and ginger. Cook for about 4 minutes until lightly charred and aromatic.
  • Pour in the broth and water, then add coriander, clove, cinnamon stick, fish sauce, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, chili paste, salt, and black pepper.
  • Bring the broth to a gentle boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for about 30 minutes to build flavor.
  • While the broth cooks, prepare the rice noodles according to package instructions. Drain, rinse, and set aside.
  • Prepare all garnishes and keep them ready for serving.
  • In the final 2–5 minutes of simmering, add the thinly sliced protein directly to the hot broth and cook just until tender.
  • Remove and discard the onion, ginger, clove, and cinnamon stick from the pot.
  • Divide the cooked noodles into serving bowls and ladle the hot broth and protein over them.
  • Finish with herbs, bean sprouts, chilies, and a squeeze of lime before serving.
pho recipe vegetarian
pho recipe vegetarian

Preparation Details

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Servings: 6