Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Vegetable Soup with Star Anise and Ginger

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

A fragrant, clear broth vegetable soup inspired by pho, featuring star anise, fresh ginger, and a medley of crisp vegetables. This vietnamese-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 50 minutes pairs vegetable broth, inch piece, sliced thin fresh ginger, whole star anise pods 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: 10 min Cook: 40 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 180 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large pot, combine 6 cups vegetable broth, 3-inch sliced fresh ginger, 3 whole star anise pods, and 1 cinnamon stick. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer gently for 30 minutes to infuse the broth with spices.
  2. Step 2: Strain the broth to remove ginger, star anise, and cinnamon. Return the clear broth to the pot and bring to a gentle boil.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 large julienned carrot and 1 cup sliced shiitake mushrooms to the broth. Simmer for 5 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp.
  4. Step 4: Meanwhile, prepare 4 oz rice noodles according to package instructions, usually soaking in hot water for 5-6 minutes until soft, then drain.
  5. Step 5: Divide the cooked noodles into bowls, ladle the hot broth and vegetables over the noodles, and garnish each bowl with 3 chopped green onions, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, and 1/4 cup fresh Thai basil leaves.
  6. Step 6: Serve with lime wedges and small dishes of 2 tbsp soy sauce and 2 tbsp hoisin sauce for individual seasoning.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 50 minutes (10 min prep + 40 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 Ginger?

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 vegetable broth from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Vegetable Soup with Star Anise and Ginger?

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 Ginger 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 Ginger 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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