14 Broth-Based Pho Recipes for Noodle Soups

Growing up in a multicultural household, my first taste of pho came from my Vietnamese grandmother’s kitchen during bustling family gatherings. The aroma of simmering beef bones, star anise, and ginger would fill the air, drawing everyone to the table for steamy bowls piled high with rice noodles, fresh herbs, and tender slices of meat. Those Sunday rituals weren’t just meals—they were love in liquid form, comforting my soul on rainy days and teaching me the magic of slow-simmered broths.

Lately, I’ve been experimenting in my own kitchen, tweaking traditional pho recipes to fit modern lifestyles. With busy schedules, I’ve mastered quicker broth versions using pressure cookers without sacrificing flavor, and I’ve played with global twists like adding miso or coconut milk. In today’s world of quick eats and health trends, pho stands out as nourishing, gut-friendly soul food that’s endlessly customizable—perfect for flu season or vegan friends alike.

Classic Beef Pho (Pho Bo)

This timeless Vietnamese staple starts with a rich beef bone broth simmered for hours. Ingredients (serves 4): 8 cups beef broth, 1 lb thinly sliced beef sirloin, 8 oz rice noodles, 1 onion (charred), 2-inch ginger (charred), 4 star anise, cinnamon stick, 2 tbsp fish sauce, lime, basil, cilantro, bean sprouts, hoisin, and chili. Steps: 1. Simmer broth with charred onion/ginger and spices for 1-2 hours. 2. Cook noodles separately. 3. Assemble bowls with noodles, raw beef (cooks in hot broth), and toppings. Benefits include high protein, collagen for joints, and warming spices for digestion.

Chicken Pho (Pho Ga)

A lighter take using homemade chicken broth for everyday comfort. Ingredients: 8 cups chicken broth, 2 chicken breasts (shredded), 8 oz rice noodles, lemongrass stalk, ginger, onion, cilantro, Thai basil, lime, chili, and mung bean sprouts. Steps: 1. Boil broth with smashed lemongrass, ginger, and onion for 45 minutes; shred poached chicken. 2. Soak and drain noodles. 3. Layer in bowls, pour hot broth, garnish generously. It’s hydrating, boosts immunity with anti-inflammatory ginger, and is lower in calories than beef versions.

Vegetarian Mushroom Pho

Earthy mushroom broth mimics meaty depth without animal products. Ingredients: 8 cups veggie broth, 2 cups mixed mushrooms (shiitake, oyster), 8 oz rice noodles, ginger, star anise, cinnamon, soy sauce, bok choy, enoki mushrooms, cilantro, lime. Steps: 1. Sauté mushrooms, simmer in broth with spices 30 minutes. 2. Blanch bok choy and noodles. 3. Serve with fresh toppings. Packed with umami, antioxidants from mushrooms, and fiber for gut health—ideal for plant-based diets.

Spicy Sriracha Beef Pho

Kick up the classic with fiery sriracha-infused broth. Ingredients: 8 cups beef broth, 1 lb beef brisket, 8 oz rice noodles, ginger, star anise, 3 tbsp sriracha, fish sauce, jalapeños, basil, lime. Steps: 1. Simmer broth with spices and sriracha 1 hour; slice cooked brisket. 2. Cook noodles al dente. 3. Assemble and top with sliced chilis. Clears sinuses, metabolism boost from capsaicin, and endorphin rush for mood-lifting meals.

Seafood Pho with Shrimp and Squid

Briny ocean broth for a coastal twist. Ingredients: 8 cups fish/seafood broth, ½ lb shrimp, ½ lb squid rings, 8 oz rice noodles, lemongrass, ginger, lime leaves, cilantro, mung beans, lime. Steps: 1. Simmer broth with aromatics 20 minutes; poach seafood briefly. 2. Prepare noodles. 3. Divide into bowls with hot broth. Omega-3s for heart health, low-fat protein, and quick prep under 30 minutes.

Lemongrass Tofu Pho

Bright, zesty vegan broth with silky tofu. Ingredients: 8 cups veggie broth, 14 oz firm tofu (cubed), 8 oz rice noodles, 3 lemongrass stalks, ginger, chili, basil, lime, bean sprouts. Steps: 1. Bruise lemongrass, simmer in broth 30 minutes; fry tofu golden. 2. Cook noodles. 3. Combine and squeeze lime. Plant protein powerhouse, vitamin C from lemongrass for immunity, refreshing and light.

Coconut Chicken Pho

Creamy, Thai-inspired broth blending worlds. Ingredients: 6 cups chicken broth + 2 cups coconut milk, 2 chicken thighs (shredded), 8 oz rice noodles, galangal, kaffir lime, fish sauce, cilantro, lime. Steps: 1. Simmer broth with aromatics, stir in coconut milk last 10 minutes. 2. Poach and shred chicken. 3. Assemble with herbs. Healthy fats from coconut for sustained energy, anti-nausea properties, exotic flavor upgrade.

Pork Bone Pho (Pho Heo)

Hearty pork broth slow-cooked for depth. Ingredients: 8 cups pork bone broth, 1 lb pork shoulder (sliced), 8 oz rice noodles, onion, ginger, star anise, fish sauce, sawtooth herb, lime. Steps: 1. Simmer bones/spices 2 hours; cook pork slices in broth. 2. Boil noodles. 3. Garnish traditionally. Collagen-rich for skin/hair, comforting winter warmer, budget-friendly protein.

Short Rib Pho

Rich, gelatinous broth from braised short ribs. Ingredients: 8 cups beef broth, 2 lbs short ribs, 8 oz rice noodles, charred onion/ginger, spices, hoisin, scallions. Steps: 1. Braise ribs in spiced broth 2-3 hours until fall-apart. 2. Shred meat, cook noodles. 3. Serve with condiments. Luxurious texture, iron boost, melt-in-mouth satisfaction for special occasions.

Oxtail Pho

Deeply flavorful, sticky broth from oxtail. Ingredients: 8 cups beef broth, 2 lbs oxtail, 8 oz rice noodles, star anise, cinnamon, ginger, cilantro, lime. Steps: 1. Simmer oxtail in spiced broth 3 hours; pick meat off bones. 2. Prepare noodles. 3. Ladle and top. Bone marrow nutrients for joints, intense umami, worth the simmer time.

Duck Pho

Gamey, aromatic broth with confit-style duck. Ingredients: 8 cups duck or chicken broth, 2 duck legs, 8 oz rice noodles, five-spice, ginger, orange peel, star anise, herbs. Steps: 1. Slow-cook duck in spiced broth 1.5 hours. 2. Shred duck, cook noodles. 3. Assemble festively. Leaner than beef, vitamin-rich orange notes, indulgent yet healthy.

Miso Beef Pho Fusion

Umami-packed with Japanese miso twist. Ingredients: 8 cups beef broth, 1 lb beef slices, 8 oz rice noodles, 3 tbsp white miso, ginger, scallions, nori, sesame. Steps: 1. Simmer broth/spices, whisk in miso off-heat. 2. Blanch noodles and beef. 3. Top with fusion garnishes. Probiotic miso for gut health, bold flavors, East-meets-West innovation.

Vegan Jackfruit Pho

Meaty jackfruit shreds in veggie broth. Ingredients: 8 cups veggie broth, 2 cans young jackfruit (shredded), 8 oz rice noodles, spices, tamari, bok choy, lime. Steps: 1. Sauté jackfruit, simmer in broth 25 minutes. 2. Add greens and noodles. 3. Freshen with lime. Fiber-filled jackfruit mimics pulled pork, zero cholesterol, sustainable choice.

Turmeric Chicken Pho

Golden, anti-inflammatory golden broth. Ingredients: 8 cups chicken broth, 2 chicken breasts, 8 oz rice noodles, 2 tbsp turmeric, ginger, garlic, yogurt swirl, cilantro. Steps: 1. Simmer broth with turmeric paste 40 minutes; shred chicken. 2. Cook noodles. 3. Swirl yogurt for creaminess. Curcumin fights inflammation, immune booster, vibrant color pop.

These 14 broth-based pho recipes offer endless variety to suit any palate or dietary need—dive in, simmer a pot, and let the aromas transport you. Grab your chopsticks and try one this weekend; your taste buds (and body) will thank you!