Shrimp Pho

This Spicy Shrimp Pho recipe is a twist on the traditional Vietnamese soup made with hot steaming chicken broth, shrimp, cilantro, and fresh squeezed lime juice. Perfect for both cold, winter nights and hot summer days!

Love soup? Then you must try my Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup and Slow Cooker Turkey Chili!

shrimp pho broth with jalapeños and cilantro

Easy Shrimp Pho

There is nothing like a steaming bowl of soup on a cold day, especially one that is loaded with shrimp and spicy broth. Typically rice noodles are used in a traditional pho recipe, but I substituted whole wheat thin spaghetti for the pho noodles. And instead of the typical aromatic spices like star anise anise and cinnamon, I used cilantro and lime to bring out the lighter flavors of the shrimp.

This homemade Shrimp Pho soup is warm and comforting, light yet filling. Best of all, it’s simple and flavorful!

How To Pronounce “Pho”

Pho (pronounced “fuh”) is a traditional Vietnamese soup made of noodles, thinly sliced beef, and beef stock. I made a twist on the original and used chicken broth and shrimp instead of beef.

Pho can be made a number of different ways. Feel free to try this with beef, tofu, chicken, or pork!

pho topped with jalapeños, mushrooms, cilantro and lime slices

Key Ingredients

You only need a few pantry staples and some fresh produce to make your own Vietnamese-style shrimp pho at home!

  • Whole Wheat Thin Spaghetti: Or your long pasta of choice. Zoodles also work well with this recipe!
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Or another light-tasting oil with a high smoke point, like avocado. Avoid butter.
  • Garlic Cloves: Minced. I used two, but you could use as many as four.
  • Jalapeño: I used just one tablespoon because that was enough spice for my family, but feel free to use more if you like it hot!
  • Green Onions: These impart a solid onion flavor without being too strong. And the green looks nice in the soup!
  • Chicken Broth: Make your own, or opt for low-sodium so you can better control the amount of salt and savory flavors of the soup.
  • Fish Sauce and Sesame Oil: These pack in a ton of flavor in small amounts, be careful not to overdo it.
  • Mushrooms: I like button mushrooms, but you can use whichever you like best. Just slice them thin so they cook. Not a mushroom fan? Just leave them out!
  • Shrimp: Leave them raw so they cook in the steaming hot broth!
  • Lime Juice and Cilantro: These serve as garnishes and really compliment the shrimp and light broth.

How to make Pho

I simplified this shrimp pho recipe to make it in 30 minute for an easy weeknight dinner. This soup is extremely simple to make. (And it looks a lot more intimidating than it is!)

Typically Pho is made at the table with the ingredients placed on top of the broth. I like to make mine up ahead of time, and place the cooked noodles in the bottom of the bowl.

To make this Shrimp pho broth, start by sautéing garlic, green onions and jalapeño in a large pot or dutch oven. Add in chicken broth, fish sauce, and sesame oil. Bring to a simmer and toss in shrimp and mushrooms. Ladle on top of cooked pasta. Garnish with extra jalapeño slices, chopped cilantro, and lime wedges. Yum!

Store in an airtight container in your fridge for up to 4 days. You can also make a large batch of the broth and freeze it to speed things up the next time you make shrimp pho.

shrimp pho in white bowl topped with jalapeños, lime slices and cilantro

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Spicy Shrimp Pho

3.7 from 20 votes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
This Spicy Shrimp Pho is a twist on the traditional Vietnamese soup made with hot steaming chicken broth, shrimp, cilantro and fresh squeezed lime juice.

Ingredients

  • 4 ounces whole wheat thin spaghetti
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tablespoon jalapeno minced
  • 2 tablespoons green onion sliced thin
  • 6 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon fish sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 cup button mushrooms thinly sliced
  • 12 ounces large shrimp uncooked
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon cilantro chopped

Instructions

  • Cook spaghetti until aldente.
  • Meanwhile add oil to a large pot or dutch oven.
  • Add garlic, jalapeno and green onions. Saute for 1-2 minutes.
  • Pour in chicken stock, fish sauce and sesame oil. Bring to a simmer.
  • Stir in mushrooms and shrimp. Simmer until the mushrooms are tender and the shrimp is fully cooked.
  • Take off of the heat and stir in pepper, lime juice, and cilantro.
  • Divide the noodles among the 4 bowls and pour the soup on top.
  • Garnish with extra lime wedges and cilantro if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Spicy Shrimp Pho
Amount per Serving
Calories
291
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
8
g
12
%
Saturated Fat
 
2
g
13
%
Cholesterol
 
214
mg
71
%
Sodium
 
889
mg
39
%
Potassium
 
519
mg
15
%
Carbohydrates
 
28
g
9
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
1
g
1
%
Protein
 
30
g
60
%
Vitamin A
 
70
IU
1
%
Vitamin C
 
11
mg
13
%
Calcium
 
152
mg
15
%
Iron
 
4
mg
22
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Keyword: Easy Weeknight Dinner, shrimp, Shrimp Pho

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Recipe Rating




Comments - page 1/4

  • GiGi

    I ADORE shrimp, I cannot for the life of me remember the last time I had any though 🙁 I must change that with this recipe!

  • Natalie

    It is extra cold today, and this soup would really hit the spot for dinner tonight! Looks just delicious. I’ve never made Pho before, but sure do love it. Can’t wait to make this!

  • Cheyanne

    Love your creative twist on this! I absolutely must try it… sounds warm and inviting… perfect for this cold weather (even here in FL it’s cold). Thank you for sharing!

  • Rachael

    I just made this recipe, added a little powdered madras for an extra kick and used rice noodles – it was fantastic, thanks for sharing!

  • I used every ingredient except the minced jalapeños instead I used green chiles sliced with red crushed peppers. I also, added more pepper to my personal bowl for an extra spicy taste. But all in all this recipe was great especially when watching what you eat.,

  • Brenda Hill

    I just made this for dinner with your chicken potstickers, Everyone loved it. I had Lo Mein noodles on hand so I used them. Thanks so much for the recipes

  • Heather

    Doesnt say when to add the noodles after you cook them al dente?? In the middle of making this right now so that kind of sucks guess ill have to wing it

    • Hi Heather,

      So sorry about that! You are going to add the noodles to the bowls and pour the soup on top. I updated this in the recipe.

      Thank you!

      Kelley

  • TQ

    Sorry, I know this is your “take”, but this is not pho. Traditional pho most commonly uses beef broth (though if you have pho ga, it will have chicken broth), and never have I heard of my traditional dish containing shrimp. Also, effectively using spaghetti over rice noodles effective makes it NOT pho.

    Call it what it is: shrimp noodle soup.

    • Thao Hoang

      Pho can be made with shrimp but the base of it is cinnamon, anise, coriander seeds, clove, ginger and onion.

    • Dave

      STFU, she said her take. That doesn’t mean you leave a 1 star and criticize the recipe so bad. Don’t like it, move on. Simple. I’ve been to Vietnam and have had it made with shrimp so that part of you’re argument is worthless.

    • Vicki Harland

      What don’t you people understand that it is her twist on pho. Omg! Get over yourselves!!!!!!!

    • Vân

      These criticisms are valid. You wouldn’t make fettuccine alfredo and call it a twist on spaghetti. Even though both those dishes are noodles and sauce, they’re not the same dish.

    • Gypsy Queen

      EXACTLY! This is not Pho plain and simple. It sounds delicious but it is NOT Pho

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