Traditional Vietnamese Beef Pho
Discover the magic of one of the world's most beloved noodle soups with this authentic Vietnamese Pho recipe. It features a rich, spiced beef broth made from scratch with a blend of herbs and spices that will leave you craving more with every sip.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
- Servings: 6
Full Ingredient List
- 2 large onions
- 150g / 5oz ginger
- 10 star anise
- 4 cinnamon quills
- 4 cardamom pods
- 3 cloves
- 1.5 tbsp coriander seeds
- 1.5kg / 3lb beef brisket
- 1kg / 2lb meaty beef bones
- 1kg / 2lb marrow bones
- 3.5 litres / 3.75 quarts water (15 cups)
- 50g / 1.5 oz dried rice sticks (or 120g/4oz fresh)
- 30g / 1 oz beef tenderloin, raw
- Beansprouts
- Thai basil
- Coriander/cilantro
- Lime wedges
- Red chilli
- Hoisin sauce
- Sriracha
- 2 tbsp white sugar
- 1 tbsp salt
- 40 ml / 3 tbsp fish sauce
Aromatics
Tools and Equipment
Ingredients
| Quantity |
Name |
Preparation Notes |
Substitutions |
| 2 |
Large onions |
halved |
|
| 150g / 5oz |
Ginger |
sliced down the centre |
|
Instructions
-
Step 1:
Heat a heavy-based skillet over high heat until smoking. Place onion and ginger in pan cut side down. Cook for a few minutes until it's charred, then turn. Remove and set aside.
Spices
Tools and Equipment
Ingredients
| Quantity |
Name |
Preparation Notes |
Substitutions |
| 10 |
Star anise |
toasted |
|
| 4 |
Cinnamon quills |
toasted |
|
| 4 |
Cardamom pods |
toasted |
|
| 3 |
Cloves |
toasted |
|
| 1.5 tbsp |
Coriander seeds |
toasted |
|
Instructions
-
Step 1:
Toast spices lightly in a dry skillet over medium-high heat for 3 minutes.
Beef Bones and Broth
Tools and Equipment
Ingredients
| Quantity |
Name |
Preparation Notes |
Substitutions |
| 1.5kg / 3lb |
Beef brisket |
|
|
| 1kg / 2lb |
Meaty beef bones |
|
|
| 1kg / 2lb |
Marrow bones |
cut to reveal marrow |
|
| 3.5 litres / 3.75 quarts |
Water |
|
|
Instructions
-
Step 1:
Rinse the bones & brisket then cover with water in a large stock pot. Boil for 5 minutes, then drain.
-
Step 2:
Rinse each bone and brisket under tap water.
-
Step 3:
Wipe pot clean, bring water to boil. Add bones, brisket, onion, ginger, and spices. Cover with lid, simmer 3 hours.
-
Step 4:
Remove brisket, cool then refrigerate for later.
-
Step 5:
Continue to simmer remaining soup uncovered for 40 minutes.
-
Step 6:
Strain broth into another pot, discard bones and spices.
-
Step 7:
Add fish sauce, adjust salt and sugar if needed.
Noodle Soup and Assembly
Tools and Equipment
Ingredients
| Quantity |
Name |
Preparation Notes |
Substitutions |
| 50g / 1.5 oz (or 120g/4oz) |
Dried rice sticks (or fresh) |
|
|
| 30g / 1oz |
Beef tenderloin |
raw, very thinly sliced |
|
Instructions
-
Step 1:
Prepare rice noodles per packet, just prior to serving.
-
Step 2:
Place noodles in bowl. Top with raw beef and brisket.
-
Step 3:
Ladle over hot broth.
Additional Information
Notes: This recipe needs a large pot and patience but will reward you with an incredibly flavorful, authentic pho broth.
