Chicken Pho: A Keto-Friendly Comfort Food?

Chicken pho is a Vietnamese soup that is traditionally made with rice noodles, which are high in carbohydrates and therefore not keto-friendly. However, it is possible to make keto-friendly versions of this dish by substituting the rice noodles with low-carb options such as zucchini noodles, spaghetti squash, or shirataki noodles. These alternatives provide the same texture and taste as traditional rice noodles without the high carb content.

Chicken pho is keto-friendly if you replace rice noodles with low-carb options like zucchini noodles or shirataki noodles

Zucchini noodles, also known as "zoodles", are a popular choice for keto pho. They add freshness and nutrients to the dish without adding many carbs. Shirataki noodles, made from glucomannan fiber, are another excellent option as they have zero net carbs. These noodles are flavourless, so they will absorb the tasty broth of the pho. Other low-carb noodle alternatives include spaghetti squash and konjac noodles.

When ordering chicken pho at a Vietnamese restaurant, ask if there is added sugar in the broth and request that the rice noodles be replaced with a low-carb option or served on the side. You can also ask to omit the onions to save a few carbs. Bean sprouts, basil, cilantro, jalapeño, and lime are all keto-friendly toppings that will enhance the flavour of your pho.

If you want to make chicken pho at home, there are many keto-friendly recipes available online. The basic steps involve preparing a broth with spices like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, coriander seeds, and ginger, poaching chicken in the broth, and then assembling the dish with your chosen low-carb noodles and toppings.

Traditional pho is made with rice noodles and sugar, which are not keto-friendly

Pho broth is typically made by simmering beef or chicken bones with spices such as cinnamon, star anise, cardamom, cloves, coriander seeds, and ginger. Some recipes also call for additional ingredients like fish sauce, palm sugar, and maple syrup. While most Vietnamese restaurants do not add sugar to their broth, it is best to ask to be sure.

To make pho keto-friendly, you can simply omit the rice noodles or substitute them with low-carb alternatives such as zucchini noodles (zoodles), shirataki noodles, or palmini noodles. These alternatives will not create the same result as traditional rice noodles, but they will keep the dish keto-friendly.

When ordering pho at a Vietnamese restaurant, you can ask for the pho without noodles or request the noodles on the side. You can also ask if there are any added sugars in the broth. By making these simple adjustments, you can enjoy a delicious bowl of keto-friendly pho!

Pho broth is keto-friendly and has minimal carbohydrates

Pho is a Vietnamese soup that usually has a salty full-bodied broth, rice noodles, meat, and sometimes chicken. Traditional pho is made with rice noodles and is therefore not keto-friendly. However, pho broth on its own, with vegetables minus the noodles, is low-carb and can be consumed while following a ketogenic diet.

Pho broth is traditionally made with beef or chicken bones along with five essential spices: cinnamon or cassia bark, cloves, star anise, charred ginger, and charred onion. Some additional ingredients may include black cardamom, coriander seeds, fennel seeds, black peppercorns, and roasted ginger.

While most Vietnamese restaurants do not add any additional sugar to their broth, it is best to ask the server. Pho broth itself will have minimal carbohydrates and should not have any added sugars at most Vietnamese restaurants. You can expect there to be trace amounts of carbohydrates in ingredients such as onions, soy sauce, fish sauce, and any other vegetables that may be included in the broth creation and serving. When it comes to calculating net carbs, especially when eating out, it is always best to overestimate. For this reason, you can expect to have at least 5 grams of net carbs per 1-cup serving of pho broth without the noodles.

If you are looking to make your own keto-friendly pho, you can use zucchini noodles or shirataki noodles instead of rice noodles. You can also purchase pho broth in cartons, similar to chicken stock or chicken broth, or make your own from scratch.

You can make keto-friendly pho at home by using zucchini noodles or shirataki noodles and omitting sugar

Pho is a Vietnamese soup that is typically made with rice noodles, which are high in carbohydrates and not keto-friendly. However, it is possible to make a keto-friendly version of pho at home by substituting the rice noodles with low-carb options such as zucchini noodles or shirataki noodles. Here is a guide on how to make keto-friendly pho at home:

Ingredients:

• Zucchini or shirataki noodles
• Chicken or beef broth
• Meat of your choice (chicken, beef, or shrimp)
• Vegetables (onion, garlic, ginger, etc.)
• Spices (star anise, cardamom pods, cinnamon sticks, cloves, coriander seeds, etc.)
• Fish sauce
• Optional toppings (bean sprouts, basil, lime wedges, jalapenos, scallions, sriracha, etc.)

Instructions:

• Toast the spices: Add your chosen spices to a dry saucepan or Dutch oven and heat over medium-high heat until toasted and fragrant.
• Make the broth: Add the chicken or beef broth, water, and fish sauce to the saucepan. Bring to a simmer and cook for at least 30 minutes to an hour for more flavour.
• Prepare the meat: If using chicken, poach the chicken breasts in the broth for 15 minutes, then shred. If using beef, freeze the steak for 30 minutes to make it easier to slice thinly. Slice the steak thinly against the grain.
• Prepare the noodles: If using zucchini noodles, spiralize the zucchini and divide the noodles among the serving bowls. If using shirataki noodles, rinse and drain them before placing them in the serving bowls.
• Assemble the pho: Place the meat and noodles in the serving bowls. Pour the hot broth over the meat and noodles.
• Garnish and serve: Add your desired toppings and garnishes, such as bean sprouts, basil, lime wedges, jalapenos, scallions, sriracha, etc. Serve hot and enjoy!

Tips:

• For a quicker version, use store-bought broth instead of making your own.
• To save time, you can also use a slow cooker or Instant Pot to make the broth.
• If you prefer your zucchini noodles softer, you can blanch them in boiling water before adding them to the bowls.
• If you are short on time, you can also use pre-cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken instead of cooking the chicken in the broth.
• To make the pho more filling, serve it with a side of keto cauliflower rice.
• Store any leftovers in separate containers, and they will last for up to 5 days in the fridge.

There are other keto-friendly options at Vietnamese restaurants besides pho, such as bo luc lac (Vietnamese Shaking Beef)

While chicken pho can be made keto-friendly, there are other keto-friendly options at Vietnamese restaurants besides pho, such as bo luc lac (Vietnamese Shaking Beef).

Bo luc lac is a classic Vietnamese dish that is naturally keto-friendly. It typically consists of beef sirloin or steak, which are both keto-friendly protein sources. The beef is marinated and then quickly seared in a wok or pan, creating a juicy and flavorful dish. The "shaking" in the name refers to the tossing of the beef back and forth in the wok after it's quickly seared. This dish is usually served with healthy fats like avocado oil or coconut oil, and low-carb vegetables like watercress, onions, and tomatoes.

Some recipes for bo luc lac also include a side of roasted sweet potatoes, which are a good source of healthy carbs. The beef can also be served on a bed of greens, making it an even lower-carb option.

When ordering bo luc lac at a Vietnamese restaurant, be sure to ask about any additional ingredients or sides that may not be keto-friendly. For example, some recipes use soy sauce, which contains a small amount of carbs. However, coconut aminos can be used as a keto-friendly substitute.

So, if you're looking for a keto-friendly option at a Vietnamese restaurant, consider bo luc lac. It's a flavorful and satisfying dish that fits within the keto diet guidelines.

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