Paleo Pho with Turkey

Paleo Pho is easy to make. Loaded with veggies and a rich bone broth that is seasoned with warming spices that make your taste buds dance. But you might be wondering, "Is Pho Gluten Free?" and that's a great question if you're following a gluten-free diet and want to make this incredibly delicious recipe!

If you love Vietnamese cuisine and are worried that your favorite Vietnamese soup has gluten-containing ingredients, let's learn all about pho and whether or not it is gluten free and if it is safe for everyone to enjoy, or what ingredient substitutions you need to make for anyone with a gluten intolerance or those who just wish to eat gluten free or follow a Paleo diet.

Feel confident in ordering your pho from the little corner pho joints and making a delicious Paleo version at home with this fantastic recipe.

What is Pho?

Well, let's start here! Pho is a Vietnamese noodle oup that is typically made with some sort of broth, often beef broth or a beef bone broth but can be made with any broth, noodles, and some sort of protein, often thinly sliced beef, but can be any protein source, and then a mix and match of your favorite toppings or other ingredients added in.

Bone broths are a staple of the Paleo diet. If something is Paleo, it is automatically gluten-free as well since anything containing gluten does not align with the Paleo principles. We really enjoy this Slow Cooker Bone Broth recipe or this stovetop one, which can also be used to make your pho!

Pho is traditionally made with banh pho noodles, or rice noodles, so it's naturally a gluten-free recipe in that regard. But to keep this gluten free and avoid any kind of noodles, we swapped the noodle option out with spiralized zucchini, to create zoodles!

Why You'll Love This Pho Gluten-Free Recipe

• It's gluten free and easily customizable to fit other dietary restrictions
• Tastes even better than what you get at your favorite Vietnamese restaurant
• Packed with veggies and plenty of other great nutrition from your bone broth
• This soup is dairy free and soy free too!

Ingredients

• Avocado oil- or you can use skimmed off fat from your bone broth
• Fresh Ginger- lightly smashed
• Garlic Cloves- smashed (Smashed)
• Star Anise
• Turkey bone broth- you can swap this out for chicken broth or beef bone broth, or other homemade broth as well
• Coco Aminos
• Zucchini
• Onion- thinly sliced
• Turkey- shredded, but can also be swapped out with beef to create beef pho
• Salt
• Pepper

OPTIONAL TOPPINGS

• Green onions
• Basil
• Cilantro
• Coriander seeds
• Fennel seeds
• Sriracha
• Jalapeno
• Lime wedges

How to Make Gluten-Free Pho

1. Place a large pot over med-high heat and pour in the Avocado oil. Once this is hot add in the garlic, ginger, and star anise. Let this cook for a few minutes to release the flavors, stirring every so often so nothing burns. Then add in the Turkey stock. Let this simmer while you prepare the other ingredients.
2. Set out two deep soup bowls and divide the zucchini zoodles into each bowl. Then divide out the shredded turkey and top it with the onions slices.
3. Strain out the solids from the brothy soup base by using a slotted spoon and add in the coconut aminos. Pour the broth into the bowls and let it sit for a few minutes so the hot broth can warm up the zoodles and meat. Divide and sprinkle the salt and pepper over the bowls.
4. Serve with whatever optional toppings you desire.

Variations and Tips

• As mentioned above, you can swap the broth options out for other options and the protein options out to create a different flavored pho broth.
• If you just want gluten-free pho but aren't worried if it's paleo or not, you can swap the zucchini out for gluten safe noodle options. You can also use the bean sprouts that were previously omitted to make this recipe Paleo-friendly.
• Feel free to play around with your optional toppings and gluten-free options to create your new favorite. Don't hesitate to add any fresh herbs.
• Instead of whole star anise, you could try a cardamom pod. While they aren't the same thing, they're related and may provide another flavorful version of your gluten free pho recipe.
• You can use any onion, I prefer white onion in this recipe.
• If you omit any spices or herbs, try to swap it out with something else, the spices and condiments are what really bring the flavoring to your pho.
• Looking for another healthy option to add in? Try any fresh veggies that you enjoy- sliced carrots, thin sliced bell peppers, etc. are all great additions.
• Always check your ingredient labels, if buying anything at the grocery store to check that your ingredients are certified gluten free and the risk of cross-contamination is eliminated, especially important for those with celiac disease.

Can I Make This Vegan?

Sure, if you want a vegan pho recipe, use this recipe but make two simple alterations.

• Use vegetable broth or vegetable stock instead of beef, turkey, or chicken.
• Swap the shredded turkey out for mushrooms.

Are Vegetables in Pho Gluten Free?

Did you know that all vegetables and even fruits are naturally gluten free! As long as you haven't covered your vegetables in any sauces, marinades, breading, or condiments, all of your fresh vegetables will be gluten free. You can add whatever vegetables you enjoy to your gluten free pho! It is common for many pre-made sauces, marinades, and breading to have gluten-containing ingredients.

If you're adding any spices to your vegetables, you should check to make sure they don't have any hidden gluten in them.

Is Pho Meat Gluten Free?

Generally, the majority of pho has some kind of meat- beef, chicken, turkey, etc. Depenidng on how that meat is prepared, it is usually gluten free. When you buy fresh meat from the store, it's naturally gluten free, but once you get it home, however you seasoning it, or prepare it will determine if the meat is still gluten free or not. Always check all ingredients used to season or cook your meat of choice in this pho recipe to ensure it stays gluten free!

More Gluten-Free Soup Recipes

• Zuppa Toscana Soup
• French Onion Soup
• Egg Drop Soup
• Chicken and Dumpling Soup

If this good pho recipe and these soups have you craving more tasty things, try this Gluten Free Ramen with Chicken and Mung Bean Noodles.

So, as you can see, Classic Pho is naturally gluten free. Plus, now we took traditional pho and made it Paleo, which also means this recipe is gluten free as well! So, head to the store and grab any ingredients you might about already have on hand to make this fantastic Paleo and Gluten Free Pho recipe!

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