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.

Chicken pho generally has the least fat and is a good source of lean protein. If you're just here for the beef, round cuts are the leanest, followed by brisket and flank.

Directions. Place vegetable stock, onion, soy sauce, garlic, cinnamon sticks, ground ginger, star anise, and bay leaves in a large pot; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until flavors combine, 30 to 45 minutes.

Simmering beef or chicken bones make traditional phở broth for several hours. The slow cooking process releases the bones' flavours and nutrients, resulting in a deep and complex broth. A combination of spices and aromatics such as star anise, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and onion is added to enhance the flavor profile.

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.

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.

Pho can be high in sodium and calories depending on the ingredients used. Make bone broth from scratch or use a low-sodium variety, and focus on leaner protein sources and high-fiber noodles.

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.

Experts also suggest that if pho is used for breakfast, then you should avoid salt for the rest of the day. To avoid imbalanced nutrition, you should not eat pho too often, and you should switch up diet with other food products. Any food, no matter how good it is, won't be good for your body if consumed too much.

This easy vegan pho recipe is made with the most delicious rich broth and your choice of veggies (plus tofu, if you'd like). My vegetarian husband absolutely loves a big bowl of steaming hot pho just as much as I do.

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.

Culantro (Ngò gai)

Culantro esembles cilantro in appearance but packs a more intense flavour punch. It's the secret ingredient that amplifies the depth and richness of pho's broth. With its robust taste, this herb introduces a wonderful depth that lingers in every savoury spoonful of the soup.

Crunchy flank is also called ve don in Vietnam. If you see that on a menu when ordering pho, you will instantly know it is crunchy flank. When the crunchy flank is cooked properly, it will have a crispy and slightly chewy texture. Of course, the taste will always be amazing and quite flavorful.

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.

Traditionally made pho naturally contains anti-inflammatory, nutrient-dense ingredients that promote the detoxification of toxins, fight viral and bacterial infections, aid in digestion and supply the body with beneficial enzymes.

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.

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.

Add spices.

Lightly crushed peppercorns can enhance chicken broth destined for chicken and dumplings, or you can add cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves, and coriander to beef broth for a quick interpretation of pho.