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Simple Pho: Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup


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  • Author: Jessica Dang
  • Total Time: 330 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 6
  • Diet: Omnivore, Gluten-Free

Description

Homemade pho broth is easier than you think! This recipe delivers rich beefy flavor with fresh herbs and aromatics.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 3 lbs (1361 g) beef bones
  • 2 lbs (907 g) oxtail
  • 1 lbs (454 g) beef shank
  • 1 lbs (454 g) flank steak
  • 1 lbs (454 g) brisket
  • 2 large yellow onions
  • 1 large piece of ginger
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 3 whole cloves
  • 3 star anises
  • 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) fish sauce
  • Sea salt
  • 1 package rice stick noodles
  • A bit of oil
  • Cilantro, chopped
  • Scallions, chopped
  • A few sprigs of fresh basil
  • 1 jalapeño
  • 1 lime

Instructions

  1. Place all bones and meat in a large stock pot. Cover with cool water and bring to a boil over high heat.
  2. Let it boil rapidly for 10 minutes; scud and debris should float to the top.
  3. Drain bones and meat into a colander, discard water, and wash the pot.
  4. Rinse bones and meat under cold water, return to pot, and cover with cool water.
  5. Put the pot on the stove over medium-high heat.
  6. On another burner over medium heat, brown and char onions directly on the grate, turning as necessary until edges blacken.
  7. Add the charred onions to the stock pot.
  8. Repeat the charring process for the ginger and add to the stock pot.
  9. Heat a frying pan over medium-high heat.
  10. Add cinnamon stick, whole cloves, star anise, and whole black peppercorns; stir until toasted and fragrant.
  11. Turn off heat and add spices to stock pot along with 1/4 cup fish sauce.
  12. Simmer the broth for 5 hours, skimming any debris that floats to the top; do not boil.
  13. After 5 hours, taste and season with salt if needed.
  14. Remove and discard bones.
  15. Remove beef shin, oxtails, brisket, and flank steak; place in a bowl.
  16. Pick off and shred or slice the meat; set aside.
  17. Cook rice stick noodles in a small pot of boiling water with a drizzle of oil until tender.
  18. Drain noodles and place in individual bowls.
  19. Arrange cooked beef in each bowl.
  20. Sprinkle with cilantro and scallions.
  21. Ladle hot broth over the beef and noodles.
  22. Top with fresh basil leaves, jalapeño slices (optional), and a spritz of lime juice.
  23. Add hoisin sauce and Sriracha (optional).

Notes

  • For a richer broth, roast the bones and beef before simmering.
  • To easily shred the beef, let it cool slightly before slicing against the grain.
  • Leftover broth can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and frozen for up to 3 months.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 300 minutes
  • Category: Soup
  • Method: Braising
  • Cuisine: Vietnamese

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1.5 cups
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 5
  • Sodium: 1200
  • Fat: 25
  • Saturated Fat: 10
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10
  • Carbohydrates: 50
  • Fiber: 5
  • Protein: 40
  • Cholesterol: 150