Savory Vegetarian Pho in the Slow Cooker
Experience the aromatic and comforting taste of traditional Vietnamese pho with this vegetarian twist. This Slow Cooker Vegetarian Pho features a rich and complex broth, flavored with portobello mushrooms and a blend of fragrant spices, making it reminiscent of classic beef pho. The dried porcini mushrooms add an earthy depth, while fresh lemongrass and Thai basil contribute vibrant herbal notes. Serve this delightful soup with perfectly cooked 1/4-inch-wide rice noodles, which maintain their texture and absorb the broth beautifully. Top with crunchy bean sprouts and a splash of lime for a refreshing finish. Perfect for a cozy dinner or meal prep throughout the week!
6
Servings
47
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
onion
1 (chopped fine)
garlic cloves
6 (minced)
dried porcini mushrooms
1/4 ounce (rinsed and minced)
canola oil
1 teaspoon
water
6 cups
vegetable broth
4 cups
portobello mushroom cap
1 lb (gills removed and caps halved and sliced thin)
lemongrass
3 stalks (trimmed to bottom 6 inches and bruised with back of knife)
low sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup
star anise pods
4
whole cloves
2
wide rice noodles
6 ounces (1/4 inch wide, no substitute)
sriracha sauce
1 teaspoon
salt and pepper
to taste
bean sprouts
2 ounces
fresh Thai basil
1/2 cup
lime wedge
1
Instructions
1
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the chopped onion, minced garlic, rinsed and minced dried porcini mushrooms, and canola oil. Microwave on high for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened.
2
Transfer the onion mixture to the slow cooker. Add the water, vegetable broth, sliced portobello mushrooms, bruised lemongrass, soy sauce, star anise pods, and whole cloves to the slow cooker. Stir everything to combine.
3
Cover and cook the mixture on low for 4 to 6 hours or on high for 3 to 5 hours, until the portobello mushrooms are tender. It is advisable to check after the minimum cooking time to avoid overcooking.
4
Once the broth is ready, stir in the wide rice noodles. Cover and cook on high until the noodles are tender, approximately 10 to 20 minutes. Do not overcook the noodles as they can become mushy.
5
After cooking, carefully discard the lemongrass, star anise, and cloves from the soup. Stir in the sriracha sauce and season with salt, pepper, additional soy sauce, and extra sriracha to taste.
6
To serve, ladle the soup into bowls and garnish each portion with fresh bean sprouts, Thai basil, and a wedge of lime for squeezing over the top.
Nutrition Information
1.33g
Fat
7g
Carbs
1.67g
Protein
0.67g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Vegetarian Pho in the Slow Cooker?
It is a vegetarian twist on traditional Vietnamese pho that uses a slow cooker to develop a rich, complex broth with portobello mushrooms and fragrant spices.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe yields 6 servings.
What are the cooking times for the slow cooker?
You can cook the broth on low for 4 to 6 hours or on high for 3 to 5 hours.
What ingredients are used for the aromatic broth base?
The broth is flavored with onion, garlic, dried porcini mushrooms, vegetable broth, lemongrass, soy sauce, star anise, and whole cloves.
How should the portobello mushrooms be prepared?
Remove the gills from the 1 lb of portobello mushroom caps, then halve and slice them thin.
Why are dried porcini mushrooms included?
Dried porcini mushrooms add an earthy depth and complexity to the vegetarian broth that mimics traditional beef pho.
How do I prepare the lemongrass for the soup?
Trim 3 stalks of lemongrass to the bottom 6 inches and bruise them with the back of a knife to release their flavor.
What type of noodles should I use for this pho?
Use 6 ounces of 1/4-inch-wide rice noodles; the recipe notes there is no substitute for this specific size.
When do I add the rice noodles to the slow cooker?
Stir the noodles into the broth after the main cooking cycle is complete and the mushrooms are tender.
How long do the rice noodles take to cook in the slow cooker?
They take approximately 10 to 20 minutes on the high setting until tender.
What is the microwave step for?
The microwave is used to soften the chopped onion, minced garlic, and minced porcini mushrooms in canola oil before adding them to the slow cooker.
Which spices need to be removed before serving?
Carefully discard the lemongrass stalks, star anise pods, and whole cloves from the soup after cooking.
How is the finished soup seasoned?
Stir in sriracha sauce and season with salt, pepper, and additional soy sauce or sriracha to taste.
What are the recommended garnishes?
Garnish each bowl with fresh bean sprouts, Thai basil, and a wedge of lime.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 47 calories.
How much protein is in a serving of this pho?
There is 1.67g of protein per serving.
What is the fat content per serving?
There is 1.33g of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
Each serving contains 7g of carbohydrates.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes, it is described as perfect for meal prep throughout the week.
How many garlic cloves are required?
The recipe calls for 6 minced garlic cloves.
How much vegetable broth and water are needed?
You will need 4 cups of vegetable broth and 6 cups of water.
What kind of soy sauce should I use?
The recipe specifies 1/4 cup of low sodium soy sauce.
How many star anise pods are used?
The recipe uses 4 star anise pods.
Can I overcook the noodles?
Yes, the instructions warn not to overcook them as they can become mushy; check them frequently after 10 minutes.
What provides the herbal notes in the soup?
Fresh lemongrass and Thai basil provide the vibrant herbal notes.
How much fiber is in each serving?
Each serving contains 0.67g of fiber.
How many whole cloves are used?
The recipe requires 2 whole cloves.
What type of oil is used for the aromatics?
1 teaspoon of canola oil is used for the onion and garlic mixture.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
While rice noodles are gluten-free, the soy sauce must be replaced with tamari to make the recipe fully gluten-free.
What is the quantity of bean sprouts used for garnish?
The recipe calls for 2 ounces of bean sprouts.