Vegan Pho With Carrots, Noodles and Edamame Recipe (2024)

By Martha Rose Shulman

Vegan Pho With Carrots, Noodles and Edamame Recipe (1)

Total Time
About 20 minutes
Rating
4(261)
Notes
Read community notes

When I was testing my vegan pho broth for a Recipes for Health series last spring I froze a few containers of the broth; I had forgotten how good it is. I didn’t have some of the traditional ingredients for pho – bean sprouts, cilantro, scallions, green chiles – so I used what I had and it was definitely pho. I used cayenne for heat and a chiffonade of romaine lettuce was a good stand-in for the bean sprouts, crunchy and fresh. Lots of chives stood in for scallions. I did without cilantro or Thai basil but had plenty of Italian basil and mint from my garden.

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Ingredients

Yield:6 servings

  • 1recipe phô broth (about 2½ quarts)
  • ¾pound rice noodles, preferably wide ones
  • 2medium or 1 large carrot (about 5 ounces) peeled and cut in 1½-inch julienne
  • 2cups edamame (can use frozen, thawed)
  • 6ounces tofu, cut in matchsticks
  • ½cup Asian or purple basil leaves, or Italian basil, slivered
  • 4scallions, chopped, or ¼ cup chopped chives
  • 1cup chopped cilantro (optional)
  • Several sprigs fresh mint

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)

290 calories; 4 grams fat; 0 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 1 gram monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 54 grams carbohydrates; 5 grams dietary fiber; 3 grams sugars; 11 grams protein; 189 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Vegan Pho With Carrots, Noodles and Edamame Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Step

    1

    Have the broth at a simmer in a soup pot. Season to taste with cayenne if you are not using fresh chiles.

  2. Step

    2

    Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add the noodles. Cook until just al dente, firm to the bite, following the timing instructions on the package (my wide noodles take about 5 minutes). Drain and divide among 6 large soup bowls.

  3. Step

    3

    Add the carrots and edamame to the simmering broth and simmer until just tender, about 3 to 4 minutes. Ladle a generous amount of hot broth with the carrots and edamame into the bowls. Divide the tofu among the bowls. Sprinkle on half the cilantro, half the basil leaves and the scallions or chives. Pass the bean sprouts or lettuce, chopped chiles if using, the remaining basil and cilantro (if using), mint sprigs, and the lime wedges. Serve with chopsticks for the noodles and soupspoons for the broth.

Tip

  • Advance preparation: The broth will keep for a few days in the refrigerator and can be frozen. The noodles can be cooked several hours ahead. Rinse them after draining and keep in a bowl. They will stick together after they cool but will loosen up when yo

Ratings

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out of 5

261

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

XP

Normally it is made with meat as a standard - however, if you go to the Buddhist temples -- you may find a version of it without meat.

The flavor used often comes from mushroom powder that gives the broth a velvety, almost meaty taste.

Kevin

This is titled as Vegan, but the recipe for the Pho Broth contains fish sauce....making it neither vegan or vegetarian.

Rosa

The fish sauce is optional

Maggie

This recipe was a lifesaver the day after my gallbladder surgery, when my husband was searching for something simple, low-fat, and meatless that didn't involve a shopping trip. We had a carton of Pho broth, tofu, rice noodles, fresh basil and mint, carrots, and scallions, subbed asparagus and bok choy for edamame, and added mushrooms for some extra umami. Easy and delicious, and just what I needed. Thanks for the inspiration!

lucy

I don’t see anywhere in the complete recipe or the pho broth about adding chiles. Am I missing something?

maeve

I think that if one doesn't add beef, then it would make sense to strengthen the broth with dried mushrooms (or mushroom powder as someone suggested below.

mel

Benefits a lot from some soy sauce and hot sauce.

Anne KW

Add mushrooms, shredded bok choy; garnish with basil, bean sprouts, sliced jalapeno, chopped peanuts and lime.

Kevin

This is titled as Vegan, but the recipe for the Pho Broth contains fish sauce....making it neither vegan or vegetarian.

Sharon Flynn

So it's pescetarian. I can't see the recipe for Pho Broth unless I subscribe, but have no problem substituting a hearty veggie broth.

Rosa

The fish sauce is optional

Marie

Is it firm tofu that is used?

Karen M

I enjoyed the combination of ingredients in this recipe and will experiment with different combinations of vegetables the next time. The disappointment was in the pho broth, which was rather bland. I may use cayenne plus chile peppers to spice it up even more.

Linda Criss

Does such a soup exist?? I'd love the pho spicy beef recipe from Hue. Divine.

XP

This is not an inventive recipe and I look forward to trying.

Traditionally, we don't use edamame or carrots.

Linda Criss

I've never made a vegan pho nor have I ever heard of one of the several times we have been to Vietnam. Just such a super exist? It seems to be a lot of work cannot have chicken or beef within it.

XP

Normally it is made with meat as a standard - however, if you go to the Buddhist temples -- you may find a version of it without meat.

The flavor used often comes from mushroom powder that gives the broth a velvety, almost meaty taste.

Private notes are only visible to you.

Vegan Pho With Carrots, Noodles and Edamame Recipe (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 made of? ›

Pour broth over pho noodles, garnishing the tofu, sliced mushrooms (from the broth), vegan Vietnamese sausage, culantro leaves, Thai basil, bean sprouts, cilantro, green onion and a squeeze of lime. Add hoisin sauce and sriracha to taste!

How many calories are in vegan pho? ›

At the typical Vietnamese restaurant, a medium bowl of vegetable pho with tofu may contain between 400 and 510 calories. If you're making your own pho, one-sixth of a recipe that uses 1/2 pound of noodles and the same weight of tofu, along with broth and an assortment of vegetables, contains about 290 calories.

What makes pho broth bitter? ›

Here goes the peeled Daikon radish! For the last remaining hour, add in the exotic spices. Although these spices are unique to the Pho flavor adding them too early will make the broth too potent and bitter.

What makes pho broth taste so good? ›

Broth - the soul of Pho. Beef bones play a crucial role in influencing the quality of the broth. Combined with spices such as ginger, charred onions, star anise, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and coriander seeds, the broth gains a distinct aroma.

What noodles are best for pho? ›

Thin rice noodles: Pho is traditionally made with thin rice noodles, such as these. In order to prevent the noodles from overcooking in the broth, it's traditional to cook pho noodles separately on their own.

What to add to pho? ›

Add toppings: The hot steaming bowl of pho is traditionally accompanied by a plate of fresh toppings such as Thai basil, cilantro, mint, bean sprouts, chili slices, and lime. You'll want to add a generous amount of each, then continue to add more as needed throughout eating.

Why does pho have MSG? ›

A key component of pho found in Vietnamese kitchens and restaurants, MSG gives a vibrant, savory lift to the flavor.

What sauce do you put in pho? ›

Cook onion and ginger in a hot skillet, then add to slow cooker with broth, coriander, cloves, fish sauce, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, chili garlic paste, cinnamon stick and a pinch of fresh cracked salt and pepper.

Do you mix hoisin sauce in pho? ›

Adding sriracha and hoisin sauce can enhance the flavor of your pho. The spicy kick from the sriracha and the sweet and salty flavors add hoisin add an extra layer of complexity to your meal. The key is to add in moderation so that you don't overpower the delicate flavors of the broth and noodles.

What is the green stuff in pho? ›

In most Vietnamese servings, cilantro and green onions will have been pre-chopped together ready for garnishing. These are generally the first greens to be added after the ladle of pho broth.

Is pho healthy for weight loss? ›

The more protein you have, the fewer carbs you're going to consume. Pho is a great weight loss dish with the only real concern being sodium. This doesn't make it unhealthy. A single bowl of pho can be an important part of a balanced diet.

Is veggie pho healthy? ›

"Fresh vegetables added to pho are a nutritious addition," says Syn. "Vegetables are low in calories and high in vitamins, minerals and filling fiber." The one thing to be extra conscientious with pho is that it's very high in sodium, which can cause increased blood pressure and contribute to cardiovascular issues.

Does pho raise blood sugar? ›

Pho and Ramen

Noodles (even rice noodles) are a processed food made with refined grains that tends to spike many people. How to Make it Healthier: Look for dishes without noodles, or if you're cooking at home, swap in alternative pastas made with konjac root or vegetables.

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 is traditional pho broth made of? ›

Vietnamese pho is all about the broth! In this authentic recipe, beef bones, fish sauce, star anise, and ginger simmer for at least 6 hours, creating a complex, aromatic broth that may not be quick, but it's certainly delicious.

What gives pho its smell? ›

Black cardamom, a seedpod about the size of an olive pit, gives pho its savory depth. The spice smells of menthol and smoke, and it imparts a surprisingly earthy aroma. Another pho signature spice, star anise, is a brown eight-pointed pod that lends a hint of licorice to the broth.

What makes pho broth clear? ›

The first thing I always do when making pho at home is parboil my beef bones. It's easy and helps achieve a crystal-clear broth. Toss the bones in your stockpot, add water, and boil for a few minutes. As the bones simmer, they release impurities, making the water scumy and foamy.

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