15 Best Vegetables To Use In Pho

If you’ve ever had the pleasure of eating a bowl of pho, you know how satisfying it can be.

The combination of rice noodles, herbs, and vegetables makes for a delicious and nutritious meal.

But what vegetables should you add to your pho?

The most common vegetables used in pho are onions, scallions, ginger, and garlic. Mushrooms can also be added for additional flavor. Bean sprouts and jalapeños are often served on the side as a garnish to add an extra kick of heat or crunch to the dish.

It turns out that there are many options to choose from!

In this article, I will discuss 15 different vegetables that go well in pho and provide tips on how to prepare them for maximum flavor.

By the end, you’ll have all the knowledge needed to make an amazing bowl of pho with any vegetable combination imaginable!

Read Also:

• What To Serve With Pho? 15 Best Side Dishes
• Pho Wine Pairing – The Best Wines for Pho

15 Best Vegetables To Use In Pho

Pho is a delicious Vietnamese dish that combines broth, noodles, and various vegetables.

If you’re looking to make the perfect pho, here are fifteen of the best vegetables to use:

1. Mung Bean Sprouts

Bright, crunchy, and delicious – mung bean sprouts are the perfect addition to your pho! They pair beautifully when simmered in a hot broth, so let them simmer away while you’re preparing the other vegetables. For a maximum flavor boost, give them a quick stir fry before adding them to your soup.

2. Bok Choy

This powerhouse vegetable brings unimaginable flavors to any soup or stew. To get the most out of its nutty and slightly bitter taste, add it near the end of cooking as it can easily become overloaded with flavors if cooked for too long.

3. Sugar Snap Peas

Add sweetness and subtle crunchiness with these little gems! Unlike their cousins (the snow pea), sugar snap peas require minimal preparation – just rinse under running water and they’ll be ready to go! Make sure you don’t overcook though; Sugar Snap Peas are best when lightly steamed or blanched in boiling water just until they turn bright green — two minutes max!

4. Napa Cabbage

Napa cabbage is the unsung hero of pho, adding crunchiness and a mild sweetness that elevates the dish’s flavor profile. For best results, blanch it in hot water for 1-2 minutes to bring out its natural taste. Trust me – your taste buds will thank you!

5. Shiitake Mushrooms

Often overlooked but easily worth writing home about, shiitakes offer robust earthy flavors that turn any bowl of pho into an umami overload. In order to get their fullest potential, fry them lightly in oil before tossing them in the soup – you’ll be pleasantly surprised with what comes out!

6. Carrots

Carrots provide texture and a hint of natural sweetness when cooked in pho broth, making it all come together like one big harmonic party in your mouth – they might even become part of your staple vegetable list after trying this! To maximize these benefits, grate them finely before cooking for maximum surface area contact with the broth – magic happens quickly this way!

7. Red Bell Pepper

This is a definite must-have for your classic style pho! Just make sure to slice the pepper into thin strips, so that it can release its vibrant flavor and beautiful aroma. Take your time cutting them – no one wants to bite into a huge piece of pepper in their soup bowl!

8. Broccoli

Adding broccoli to your dish might seem weird at first, but trust me: it’s definitely worth a try! Just go slow with the amount you use, as too much might outweigh the other flavors in your soup. To get maximum flavor out of this veggie all you have to do is cook it until it’s tender yet still slightly crisp and then add some freshly ground black pepper right before serving. Delicious!

9. Snow Peas

These are perfect for adding just a touch of sweetness while also providing an amazing crunchy texture to each bite of pho. All you have to do is blanch them lightly and then top off your soup with these tasty veggies when ready to serve – voila! It’s that easy and totally delicious too!

10. Baby Corn

Tiny and sweet, baby corn adds a special touch to your pho. For maximum flavor, cook it whole in the broth instead of cutting it into pieces – that way you get mini explosions of delicious sweetness in every bite.

11. Scallions

A tart and crunchy veggie that’s like an old friend for your pho, scallions are the perfect way to brighten up a bowl. Try not to overcook them since they need their crispness during slurping time!

12. Bean Sprouts

Bean sprouts bring freshness and texture to any bowl of pho, making them an absolute must-have topping when eating out or cooking at home. Make sure they’re as fresh as can be by storing them covered with damp paper towels if you don’t plan on using them right away.

13. Asparagus

A fresh and vibrant member of the veggie squad, asparagus adds a crunchy texture to your pho. To make sure most of the flavor stays in your soup, blanch the asparagus for about a minute before adding it to your broth. With this method, you get all the flavor without any bitterness!

14. Spinach

So mild-mannered and full of nutrition – that’s spinach for ya! A great way to add some greenery to your bowl of pho is to wilt it with garlic in hot oil before serving. This simple trick amps up the herbal aroma and brings plenty of umami satisfaction into each slurp.

15. Zucchini

This super squash keeps summertime flavors alive year-round when added to a soup like pho! To bring out its delicate sweetness while keeping things light, simply saute sliced zucchini with butter or olive oil until lightly browned and tender – divine!

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, Pho is a delicious soup that is full of flavor and nutrition. To make it even more flavorful and nutritious, you can add a variety of fresh vegetables.

The best vegetables to use in Pho are mung bean sprouts, bok choy, sugar snap peas, napa cabbage, shiitake mushrooms, carrots, red bell pepper, broccoli, snow peas, baby corn, scallions, bean sprouts, asparagus, spinach, and zucchini.

These vegetables are all full of flavor and nutrition and will help to make your Pho even more delicious and healthy. So, next time you make Pho, don’t forget to add some of these vegetables to your soup!