Traditional Vietnamese Beef Pho
Experience the authentic flavors of Vietnam with this traditional Beef Pho recipe (pronounced 'fuh'). This beloved dish features a deeply flavorful beef broth that takes hours to prepare, enriched with aromatic spices and fresh herbs. The perfect balance of savory and fragrant, this pho is served with tender slices of beef sirloin and delicate rice noodles, topped with vibrant green onions, cilantro, and fresh bean sprouts. Customize your bowl with fresh Thai basil, zesty lime, and spicy jalapeños. Ideal for cozy meals or special occasions, this recipe transforms your kitchen into a Vietnamese eatery. Prepare it in a crockpot for added convenience and a richer taste.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
22
Ingredients
Ingredients
soup bones
4 lbs (shank, knee bones, or oxtail work best)
onion
1 large (peeled and cut in half)
garlic cloves
2 (whole)
fresh ginger
5 slices (peeled)
salt
1 tablespoon (to taste)
star anise
3 pods (whole)
cinnamon stick
1 (whole)
whole cloves
4 (whole)
coriander seed
1 teaspoon (whole)
fennel seed
1 teaspoon (whole)
fish sauce
3 tablespoons (to taste)
water
4 quarts (for broth)
skinny rice noodles
8 ounces (soaked and cooked)
beef sirloin
1.5 lbs (sliced extremely thin)
chopped green onions
4 tablespoons (fresh)
chopped cilantro
1/2 cup (fresh)
fresh bean sprouts
1.5 cups (raw)
Thai basil
1 bunch (fresh)
lime
1 (cut into 4 wedges)
jalapeño
1 (sliced thinly)
hoisin sauce
to taste (for flavoring at the table)
sriracha
to taste (for flavoring at the table)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2
On a baking sheet, arrange the beef bones and roast them in the oven until they are nicely browned, approximately 1 hour.
3
Add the halved onion to the baking sheet and roast for an additional 30-45 minutes, until the onion is caramelized and blackened.
4
Bundle the star anise, cinnamon stick, cloves, coriander seeds, and fennel seeds in a piece of cheesecloth and secure it tightly to create a spice bag.
5
In a large stockpot or crockpot, combine the roasted bones, blackened onion, fresh ginger slices, salt, fish sauce, and spice bag. Pour in 4 quarts of water and bring the mixture to a vigorous boil.
6
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 12 to 18 hours. If using a crockpot, set it on the low setting and allow it to cook for the same duration.
7
After simmering, strain the broth through a fine mesh sieve into another pot or large bowl, discarding the solids. If necessary, skim off any excess fat from the broth. Heat the filtered broth over low heat until just boiling before serving.
8
For the rice noodles, soak them in room temperature water for 1 hour. After soaking, bring a separate large pot of water to a boil and add the soaked noodles. Cook for 1 minute or until they are tender but still slightly firm.
9
To serve, divide the cooked rice noodles among 4 large bowls. Layer each bowl with slices of raw beef sirloin, chopped cilantro, and green onions. Carefully ladle the steaming broth over the top of each bowl. Let it sit for 1 to 2 minutes for the heat to cook the beef.
10
Provide accompaniments such as fresh bean sprouts, Thai basil, lime wedges, sliced jalapeños, hoisin sauce, and sriracha on the side for each person to customize their pho.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Traditional Vietnamese Beef Pho?
It is a traditional noodle soup featuring a deeply flavorful beef broth enriched with aromatic spices, fresh herbs, rice noodles, and tender slices of beef sirloin.
How do you pronounce 'Pho'?
Pho is pronounced as 'fuh'.
What are the best types of bones to use for Pho broth?
Beef shank, knee bones, or oxtail work best for creating a rich and authentic broth.
How long should I roast the beef bones?
Roast the beef bones in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for approximately 1 hour until they are nicely browned.
Do I need to roast the onion for the broth?
Yes, roasting halved onion for 30-45 minutes until caramelized and blackened adds essential depth and flavor to the broth.
What spices are included in the traditional spice bag?
The spice bag contains star anise, a cinnamon stick, whole cloves, coriander seeds, and fennel seeds.
How long does the Pho broth need to simmer?
For the best flavor, the broth should simmer for 12 to 18 hours.
Can I prepare this recipe in a crockpot?
Yes, you can cook the broth in a crockpot on the low setting for 12 to 18 hours.
How do I prepare the ginger for the soup?
Peel the fresh ginger and cut it into 5 slices before adding it to the stockpot.
How much water is required for the recipe?
The recipe calls for 4 quarts of water to prepare the broth.
What is the purpose of straining the broth?
Straining through a fine mesh sieve removes the solids and spices, leaving a clear, smooth broth.
How should I prepare the rice noodles?
Soak the skinny rice noodles in room temperature water for 1 hour, then boil them for 1 minute until tender but firm.
Which cut of beef is used for the meat slices?
Beef sirloin is recommended, and it should be sliced extremely thin.
How is the raw beef cooked in the Pho bowl?
The heat from the boiling broth ladled over the raw slices cooks the beef in 1 to 2 minutes.
What fresh garnishes are traditionally added to Pho?
Common garnishes include chopped green onions, fresh cilantro, bean sprouts, and Thai basil.
What condiments can be served with Pho?
Hoisin sauce, sriracha, lime wedges, and sliced jalapeños are typically served on the side.
How much beef sirloin do I need?
The recipe requires 1.5 lbs of thin-sliced beef sirloin.
Is fish sauce necessary for this recipe?
Yes, 3 tablespoons of fish sauce (or to taste) provide the essential savory seasoning for the broth.
How do I handle the spices for the broth?
Whole spices should be bundled and secured tightly in a piece of cheesecloth to create a spice bag.
What is the recommended oven temperature for roasting bones?
The oven should be preheated to 425°F (220°C).
How many garlic cloves are used in the broth?
The recipe uses 2 whole garlic cloves.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to serve 4 large bowls of Pho.
How do I ensure the broth is served hot?
Heat the filtered broth over low heat until it reaches a boil immediately before serving.
What size onion should be used?
Use one large onion, peeled and cut in half.
When should the bean sprouts be added?
Raw bean sprouts are served as an accompaniment on the side for each person to add to their bowl.
Can I remove fat from the broth?
Yes, after straining the broth, you can skim off any excess fat from the surface.
What type of rice noodles are used?
The recipe specifically calls for 8 ounces of skinny rice noodles.
Do you add salt to the broth?
Yes, 1 tablespoon of salt is added to the broth mixture before simmering.
What kind of basil is best for Pho?
Fresh Thai basil is the traditional choice for this recipe.
How do I make the broth flavor richer?
Using a crockpot for a long simmer and roasting the bones and onion thoroughly will result in a richer taste.