Easy Pho Recipe Vegetarian Style for Flavorful Meals

Nothing beats a warm, comforting bowl of pho, especially when it’s loaded with fresh vegetables and aromatic herbs. This easy vegetarian pho recipe brings the soulful flavors of traditional Vietnamese noodle soup to your kitchen without the need for any meat or animal products.

Whether you’re a seasoned plant-based cook or simply looking to enjoy a wholesome, meat-free meal, this recipe is perfect for you.

The broth is simmered with fragrant spices and vegetables, creating a rich and flavorful base that is both light and satisfying. Paired with tender rice noodles, crisp veggies, and fresh herbs, this pho is a delightful blend of textures and tastes.

Plus, it’s incredibly customizable, making it a great option for any season or occasion.

Ready to dive into a bowl of comforting, nutritious, and utterly delicious vegetarian pho? Let’s get cooking!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This vegetarian pho recipe is a game-changer for anyone craving traditional Vietnamese flavors without the meat. The broth is made from scratch using simple pantry staples and fresh produce, simmered slowly to extract maximum flavor.

It’s pure comfort food that’s light on calories but big on taste.

What makes this recipe stand out is its simplicity and flexibility. You don’t need exotic ingredients or complicated techniques—just a handful of spices, fresh vegetables, and a bit of patience.

It’s perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekend cooking sessions.

Moreover, this dish is packed with nutrients, making it a healthy option for vegans, vegetarians, or anyone looking to eat cleaner. It’s also gluten-free if you use rice noodles, and can be made oil-free for an even lighter meal.

Ingredients

Equipment

• Large stockpot or soup pot
• Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth for spices
• Cutting board and sharp knife
• Vegetable peeler
• Large mixing bowl (for soaking noodles)
• Soup bowls for serving
• Chopsticks or forks
• Ladle

Instructions

1. Prepare the broth base: Start by charring the onion halves and ginger slices in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 5 minutes, turning occasionally until they develop a nice brown color. This step adds a smoky depth to your broth.
2. Toast the spices: In the same skillet, toast the star anise, cinnamon stick, cloves, and cardamom pods for 2-3 minutes until fragrant. Be careful not to burn them.
3. Simmer the broth: In your stockpot, combine the vegetable broth, charred onion, ginger, toasted spices, sliced carrots, and shiitake mushrooms. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer gently for at least 45 minutes to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
4. Strain the broth: Remove the solids by pouring the broth through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth-lined sieve into a clean pot. Discard the solids and return the broth to the stove.
5. Season the broth: Stir in soy sauce (or tamari), brown sugar, salt, and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Keep the broth warm on low heat.
6. Prepare the noodles: Soak the rice noodles in warm water according to package instructions until tender but still slightly firm. Drain and set aside.
7. Cook the tofu: Pat the firm tofu dry and cube it. You can either pan-fry it lightly until golden or enjoy it fresh for a softer texture.
8. Assemble the pho bowls: Divide the soaked noodles into serving bowls. Top with cubed tofu, bean sprouts, fresh basil, cilantro, green onions, and optional chili slices.
9. Ladle the hot broth: Pour the steaming broth over the noodles and toppings. Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side for squeezing.

Tips & Variations

“For an extra depth of flavor, try roasting the onion and ginger under the broiler until slightly charred instead of pan-searing.”

If you want to make this dish more protein-packed, add some cooked edamame or your favorite plant-based meat alternatives. For a creamier texture, a splash of coconut milk can be stirred into the broth just before serving.

Feel free to swap out shiitake mushrooms for cremini or oyster mushrooms depending on what you have available. Adding thinly sliced bok choy or baby spinach just before serving can boost the greens in your pho.

For a gluten-free version, make sure your soy sauce is tamari or use coconut aminos. If you want to try a quick cold pho version, chill the broth and serve over ice with fresh vegetables and herbs.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Suggestions

Pho is traditionally served with a plate of fresh herbs and condiments on the side. Try a combination of Thai basil, cilantro, lime wedges, bean sprouts, and sliced fresh chilies for an authentic experience.

You can also add hoisin sauce or sriracha for extra flavor and heat.

This vegetarian pho pairs beautifully with light appetizers like fresh spring rolls or crispy tofu bites. For a heartier meal, consider serving alongside a Veggie Quesadilla Recipe Indian Style Easy & Delicious or a fresh salad.

Leftover broth can be used as a base for other soups or stews, or as a flavorful cooking liquid for grains and vegetables. If you enjoy slow cooker meals, check out the Vegan Slow Cooker Recipe for Easy, Delicious Meals for more plant-based inspiration.

Conclusion

This easy vegetarian pho recipe is a wonderful introduction to the world of Vietnamese cooking and a comforting meal for any day. It’s full of rich, aromatic flavors, vibrant veggies, and fresh herbs that come together in a nourishing bowl of goodness.

With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can recreate the magic of pho at home without needing meat or hours of preparation. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, your family, or friends, this pho is sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection.

For more delicious plant-based recipes with global flair, don’t miss the Vegan Cuban Recipes: Delicious Plant-Based Island Flavor, and be sure to explore other nourishing ideas on this site to keep your culinary adventures exciting and wholesome.

{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Easy Pho Recipe Vegetarian”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A simple and flavorful vegetarian pho with aromatic spices and fresh vegetables. Perfect for a comforting meal in under an hour.”, “prepTime”: “PT15M”, “cookTime”: “PT40M”, “totalTime”: “PT55M”, “recipeYield”: “4 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“8 cups vegetable broth”, “1 large onion, halved”, “3-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced”, “3 star anise pods”, “4 whole cloves”, “1 cinnamon stick”, “200g rice noodles”, “200g firm tofu, cubed”, “1 cup sliced mushrooms”, “2 cups bean sprouts”, “1 bunch fresh cilantro”, “2 limes, cut into wedges”, “2 green onions, sliced”, “2 tablespoons soy sauce”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Toast onion, ginger, star anise, cloves, and cinnamon in a dry pan until fragrant.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add toasted spices to vegetable broth and simmer for 30 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Cook rice noodles according to package instructions and drain.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add tofu and mushrooms to broth and simmer for 5 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Divide noodles into bowls and ladle hot broth with tofu and mushrooms over them.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Garnish with bean sprouts, cilantro, green onions, and lime wedges.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Serve with soy sauce on the side.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “280 kcal”, “proteinContent”: “15 g”, “fatContent”: “6 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “40 g”}}