How to Make Vietnamese Vegan Pho for a Healthy Meal

If you’re looking for a healthy and flavorful meal, Vietnamese vegan pho is the perfect choice. This delightful noodle soup, traditionally loaded with aromatic herbs, spices, and vegetables, can easily be made vegan, allowing everyone to enjoy its rich flavors. Follow this guide to create your own delicious bowl of Vietnamese vegan pho at home.

Ingredients

To make an authentic-tasting vegan pho, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• 8 cups vegetable broth
• 1 large onion, halved
• 4 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1-inch piece of ginger, sliced
• 1 star anise
• 3 whole cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
• 200g rice noodles
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced (shiitake or any preferred variety)
• 1 cup baby spinach or bok choy
• Fresh herbs (cilantro, basil, mint)
• Bean sprouts
• Chili slices (optional)
• Lime wedges for serving

Instructions

Making the Broth

1. In a large pot, add the vegetable broth, halved onion, garlic, ginger, star anise, cloves, and cinnamon stick.

2. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for at least 30 minutes. This will allow the flavors to meld beautifully.

3. After 30 minutes, strain the broth to remove the solid ingredients, returning only the liquid to the pot.

Cooking the Noodles

4. While the broth simmers, cook the rice noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Combining the Ingredients

5. To the strained broth, stir in the soy sauce or tamari and add the sliced mushrooms. Let the mixture simmer for an additional 5-10 minutes until the mushrooms are tender.

6. Add the baby spinach or bok choy to the broth just a minute before serving, allowing them to wilt.

Assembling Your Vegan Pho

7. In serving bowls, place a portion of the cooked rice noodles at the bottom.

8. Ladle the hot broth and mushrooms over the noodles.

9. Garnish with fresh herbs, bean sprouts, and chili slices as desired.

10. Serve with lime wedges for an extra zesty kick!

Tips for the Best Vegan Pho

- Feel free to customize your pho by adding tofu or other vegetables like bell peppers and carrots for added nutrition.

- For a richer broth, you can roast the onion and ginger before adding them to the pot.

- Adjust the spice levels based on your personal preference by adding more or fewer chili slices.

Enjoy your homemade Vietnamese vegan pho, a healthy meal that packs a punch of flavor while being nourishing and satisfying! This dish is not only simple to make but also promotes wellness, making it an excellent addition to your recipe repertoire.