Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Vegetable Broth with Rice Noodles and Fresh Herbs

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A fragrant, clear vegetable broth infused with star anise and cinnamon, served with rice noodles and crisp fresh herbs for a comforting vegetarian pho. This vietnamese-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 75 minutes pairs water, medium onion, halved, ginger, sliced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 210 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 60 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 210 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large pot, combine 8 cups water, 1 halved medium onion, 3 slices of ginger, 1 chopped medium carrot, and 2 chopped celery stalks. Add 2 whole star anise, 1 cinnamon stick, and 3 whole cloves. Bring to a boil over high heat.
  2. Step 2: Reduce heat to low and simmer the broth gently, uncovered, for 45 minutes to 1 hour to extract aromatic flavors, skimming any foam off the surface.
  3. Step 3: Strain the broth through a fine mesh sieve into a clean pot. Stir in 2 tbsp soy sauce and keep warm over low heat.
  4. Step 4: Meanwhile, prepare 8 oz rice noodles according to package instructions, typically soaking in hot water for 5-7 minutes until tender, then drain.
  5. Step 5: To serve, divide noodles among bowls, ladle hot broth over them, and top with 1 cup bean sprouts, 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves, sliced jalapeño to taste, and lime wedges on the side.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Vegetable Broth with Rice Noodles and Fresh Herbs take to make?

Total time is about 75 minutes (15 min prep + 60 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Vegetable Broth with Rice Noodles and Fresh Herbs?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep water from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Vegetable Broth with Rice Noodles and Fresh Herbs?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Vegetable Broth with Rice Noodles and Fresh Herbs for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Vegetable Broth with Rice Noodles and Fresh Herbs vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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