Turkey Pho Recipe – NeighborFood

If there’s any dish that could be described as vibrant comfort food, it’s this Turkey Pho! Repurpose leftover turkey into this soothing, zingy 30 minute pho recipe. It’ll warm up all your senses!

This recipe was developed in partnership with the Ohio Poultry Association. As always, all opinions are my own.

Easy Leftover Turkey Pho

I’m a big fan of Thanksgiving leftovers, and I know I’m not alone in this. What could be more fun than taking a bunch of leftovers and mashing them together in a Cranberry Turkey Waffle Sandwich or transforming them into a rich and creamy Turkey Soup?

But there is, in fact, a limit to the amount of Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes and Baked Stove Top Stuffing I can eat, and after 2 (or 3 or 4) days of indulging in all my favorite beige comfort foods, I am more than ready for something fresh and colorful.

This Leftover Turkey Pho is like a shock of crisp, fresh air after a few days of stretchy pants and wondering what time or day it is.

It’s refreshing and flavorful, nourishing without being heavy, and a welcome transition back into some sense of routine (before we gear up for the next holiday, of course).

Here’s Why You’ll Love this Recipe

• Quick and easy– I don’t think any of us are quite ready to spend hours in the kitchen after the marathon that is Thanksgiving. This is a shortcut recipe for pho that comes together in less than 30 minutes.
• Versatile– Each bowl can be customized to everyone’s liking. You control the heat, the sweetness, the herbs, all of it. Will loves a LOT of lime and Sriracha. I lean into all the fresh herbs.
• Comforting but not too heavy– Pho is the perfect meal when you’re craving something healthful and vibrant in the colder months. I don’t know of any other dish that can so perfectly scratch the itch for warm comfort food and fresh, herby food at the same time.

Key Ingredients + Substitutions

• Better than Bouillon Low Sodium Chicken Base– This is my preferred broth for most soup recipes, because it’s so easy to keep on hand and allows you to easily amp up the flavor with a an extra teaspoon or two. That said, you can absolutely substitute the water and Better than Bouillon with your favorite chicken broth (or even leftover turkey broth!)
• Fish sauce– This sauce is found in the Asian section of most grocery stores. It has a pungent smell, but the taste isn’t really fishy. Instead, it lends a rich, complex saltiness with a hint of sweetness.
• Hoisin– Hoisin is a thick, bottled sauce made from fermented soybean paste. It has an intense umami flavor with a hint of sweetness. Look for it in the Asian foods section of the grocery store.
• Sugar– Just a small amount of sugar rounds out the rich savory flavors of this broth.
• Green onions and ginger adds warmth and a little bite.
• Cooked turkey– We used leftover turkey for this recipe, but you can use rotisserie chicken or baked chicken instead, if you prefer.
• Rice noodles– Rice noodles are the traditional noodle used for pho. You might also see them labeled as rice stick or Thai rice noodles. You can use thin vermicelli rice noodles or a medium flat rice noodle, like you see here.

Toppings for Pho

When it comes to pho, the toppings aren’t just an option, they’re essential! The toppings add freshness, acid, crunch, and heat to the soup. I like to serve the toppings on a big plate and let everyone prepare their own perfect bowl. Here are some of the best toppings for pho.

• Cilantro
• Thai basil
• Mint
• Bean sprouts
• Thinly sliced onions
• Sliced jalapenos
• Lime wedges
• Sriracha

How to Make Turkey Pho

Step 1: Make the broth. Bring the water to a boil, then stir in the Better Than Bouillon, fish sauce, green onions, ginger, hoisin, and sugar. Simmer for 15 minutes.

Step 2: Strain and add turkey. Strain the soup into another deep pot, discarding the solids. Place the broth back into the original pot, stir in the turkey, and heat on low until the turkey is warmed through, at least 165 degrees.

Step 3: Cook noodles and serve. Cook the noodles according to package instructions. Divide the noodles evenly among four bowls. Ladle broth over top. Serve with your choice of toppings.

Variations

• Don’t have turkey leftovers? This recipe can also be made with a rotisserie chicken, or you can buy and bake a turkey tenderloin specifically for this recipe.
• Control the heat. Use sriracha and sliced jalapenos for extra heat, or omit them for a mild pho. Chili crisp could also be a great way to add some heat!
• Add bean sprouts. Crisp, crunchy bean sprouts are a fantastic addition to turkey pho.
• Control the sweetness. Adding extra hoisin to individual bowls will give them a sweeter flavor profile.

FAQs

More Turkey Recipes to Try

This is our #1 herb roasted turkey recipe, and it’s so easy! Perfect for beginners and pros alike, this is a simple, juicy turkey recipe that anyone can make.

Did you know Ohio is one of the largest turkey farming states in the nation? Ohio’s turkey farmers are proud to work 365 days a year to ensure you can put high quality, nutritious turkey on the table for your loved ones to enjoy. Meet the Ohio turkey farms who bring your turkey from farm to table!

Here are more turkey recipes to try:

• 8 cups water
• 3 Tablespoons lower sodium Better Than Bouillon chicken stock
• 3 Tablespoons fish sauce
• 1 Tablespoon hoisin
• ½ Tablespoon sugar
• 8 slices fresh ginger
• 2 green onions (roughly chopped)
• 3 cups chopped cooked turkey
• 8 ounces rice noodles

For serving:

• Thai basil
• Mint
• Cilantro
• Lime wedges
• Jalapeno slices
• Bean Sprouts
• Sriracha

• Bring the water to a boil, then stir in the Better Than Bouillon, fish sauce, hoisin, sugar, ginger, and green onions. Lower the heat to a simmer and simmer for 15 minutes.

• Strain the soup into another deep pot, discarding the solids. Place the broth back into the original pot, stir in the turkey, and keep on low heat.

• Meanwhile, cook the noodles. Bring another pot of water to boil and cook the rice noodles according to package directions. Give them a couple stirs while they boil as rice noodles tend to stick together.

• Divide the noodles evenly among four bowls. Ladle the broth over top. Serve with generous portions of fresh herbs, limes, jalapeno slices, bean sprouts, and Sriracha, letting everyone customize their bowls to their liking.

• The broth can be prepared up to 2 days ahead of time and stored in the fridge.
• Leftover soup keeps well in the fridge for up to 5 days.
• Reheat leftovers on the stove top or in the microwave.
• You don’t have to include all of the toppings listed above, but I recommend using at least one fresh herb, the lime, and the Sriracha.

Keyword leftover turkey pho, turkey pho

Calories: 299kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 1129mg | Potassium: 597mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 421IU | Vitamin C: 29mg | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 2mg