What to do with Leftover Pho Broth

Get ready to take your noodle game to the next level! If you’re a fan of pho, you know that the broth is the star of the show. But what do you do when you’ve slurped up all the noodles and meat and still have broth left over? Fear not, my fellow noodle lovers, because I have the solution for you.

Making pho broth from scratch is a reasonably straightforward process, but it can be tough to make the perfect amount. You will, without a doubt, always end up with some leftover pho broth. Luckily that warming broth does not have to go to waste. There are plenty of ways to use this flavorful broth beyond just making another bowl of pho. (Here’s a detailed recipe for Pho Tai)

3 Things to do with Leftover Pho Broth

There are plenty of ways to use your leftover pho broth that goes beyond just making another bowl of pho. Here are the best ways that you can make full use of flavorful pho broth:

1) You can Freeze It

For those times when you have overwhelmed yourself with your pho broth but can’t stand the thought of having another pho meal for the 5th day in a row, you can always freeze the broth.

Freezing your pho broth can also work if you don’t have enough leftovers to make an entire dish. You can freeze the leftovers and add them to your pho when making a fresh batch. Here is how:

a. Allow it to Cool
Pho broth is usually served hot so wait for it to cool to at least room temperature before freezing. This will prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.

b. Pour Into a Container
Find your largest air-tight container and transfer your pho broth to the container. Leave at least 1 inch of room from the top of the container so the pho can expand as it freezes without breaking your container.

c. Secure the container
Just in case, ensure your container is properly sealed and secured to prevent spillages in your freezer.

d. Freeze it
Place the pho broth directly into your freezer. It will be good for up to 6 months.

When you are ready to use your pho broth again, it is easy to thaw. You can simply add the frozen pho broth directly to your pan for you new soup, and allow the heat to melt it, and incorporate it into your soup.

Alternatively, you can use a microwave in 20-second intervals to separate the frozen broth from its container. Once it has defrosted enough, transfer the broth to a pan on a low heat to finish thawing it completely.

You will probably want to re-season the pho broth once it has fully defrosted, as it can start to lose its flavor if frozen for too long.

2) Use To Replace Other Stocks

You would be surprised at how many recipes call for the use of stock, whether that be beef, chicken, or vegetable stock. Essentially, stocks are just specifically flavored hot water which is precisely what pho broth is.

So why not give your dish that extra layer of flavor and use pho broth to replace stock?

Replace the stock in your recipe with an equal amount of pho broth. Just be aware that the pho broth may not live up to the flavor profile of meatier-based stocks like beef stock unless it includes some beef flavor.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. “But won’t the pho broth be too spicy for other dishes?” Not to worry! Simply dilute the broth with some hot water until you achieve the desired flavor. Start with one cup of hot water and keep adding half-cups until you’re happy with the taste.

Try to match the stock you replace with the flavor profile of your pho broth so that the broth will improve your dish rather than change its flavor completely. For example, if you have made a chicken-based pho broth, use it to replace chicken stock rather than beef stock.

Just remember to separate any lingering meat, vegetables, or noodles from the broth before you use it as stock. Otherwise, you may ruin the desired texture of your dish.

Pho broth can be kept in your fridge for up to 6 days and be used as stock. It does not last as long in your fridge as actual stock, so do not use pho broth that is older than 6 days.

3) Make More Noodle Dishes

Pho, has a larger pho broth to noodles meat and vegetable ratio than most other noodle dishes. This sets pho apart from other noodle dishes, and is why the pho broth is so full of flavor.

When you do not have enough pho broth left to make a full bowl of pho, just change up the dish’s ratio a little. Make predominantly-noodle dishes like ramen or noodle soup, and use the pho broth as another dish’s broth.

Seeing as pho broth is usually noticeably spicier than the broth used in other noodle dishes, it would be worth diluting the broth. This can be done by adding hot water directly to the broth and giving it a good mix.

Start by adding 1 cup of hot water to your pho broth and give it a quick taste. If it is still obviously spicy, keep adding 1/2 cup of hot water and mixing the broth until you are happy with the diluted flavor.

Leftover Pho Broth FAQs

Do you still have questions about what to do with leftover pho broth? Then these FAQs might help you out:

So next time you have leftover pho broth, don’t throw it away. Freeze it and use it to take your cooking to the next level. Your family and friends will be impressed with your culinary skills, and your taste buds will be in heaven.