Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Vegetable Soup with Star Anise and Fresh Herbs

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A fragrant and clear vegetable broth simmered with star anise and cloves, served with fresh herbs and rice noodles for a comforting vegetarian pho. This vietnamese-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 65 minutes pairs water, medium onion, halved, inch piece ginger, sliced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 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: 50 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 180 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large pot, combine 8 cups water, 1 halved medium onion, 3-inch sliced ginger, 2 chopped carrots, 2 chopped celery stalks, 3 star anise pods, and 4 whole cloves. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 45 minutes to infuse the broth.
  2. Step 2: Strain the broth through a fine mesh sieve into a clean pot, discarding solids. Stir in 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and 1 tsp salt. Keep broth warm over low heat.
  3. Step 3: Meanwhile, cook 8 oz rice noodles according to package instructions until tender, drain and rinse with cold water.
  4. Step 4: To serve, divide noodles among 4 bowls. Ladle hot broth over noodles, then top with 1 cup bean sprouts, 1/2 cup Thai basil leaves, 1/2 cup cilantro leaves, sliced jalapeño to taste, and lime wedges on the side for squeezing.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Vegetable Soup with Star Anise and Fresh Herbs take to make?

Total time is about 65 minutes (15 min prep + 50 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 Soup with Star Anise 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 Soup with Star Anise 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 Soup with Star Anise 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 Soup with Star Anise 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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