There is nothing quite as soul-soothing as a steaming bowl of authentic Vietnamese Pho. Imagine a deeply aromatic broth, fragrant with star anise and cinnamon, poured over tender rice noodles and paper-thin slices of beef that cook right in your bowl. This recipe is your shortcut to that incredible restaurant experience, delivering a complex, layered flavor in about an hour. Perfect for a chilly day or whenever you crave a truly comforting and restorative meal.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 1 hr (includes broth simmering time)
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
For the Aromatic Broth:
- 8 cups Low-Sodium Beef Broth
- 1 large Yellow Onion, peeled and halved
- 1 (4-inch) piece Fresh Ginger, halved lengthwise
- 4 whole Star Anise
- 1 (3-inch) Cinnamon Stick
- 4 whole Cloves
- 1 tsp Coriander Seeds
- 1 Black Cardamom Pod
- 2-3 tbsp Fish Sauce
- 1 tbsp Rock Sugar (or brown sugar)
For the Bowls:
- 1 lb Beef Sirloin or Ribeye, very thinly sliced
- 1 (14 oz) package Dried Flat Rice Noodles (banh pho)
For Garnish & Serving:
- 2 cups Fresh Bean Sprouts
- 1 large bunch Fresh Thai Basil
- 1 bunch Cilantro, leaves picked
- 1/2 Red Onion, thinly sliced and soaked in cold water
- 3 Green Onions, thinly sliced
- 1 Jalapeño or Thai Chili, thinly sliced
- 2 Limes, cut into wedges
- Hoisin Sauce
- Sriracha
Instructions:
- Char the Aromatics: Turn a gas burner to high or use the broiler in your oven. Place the onion and ginger halves directly on the grate or on a foil-lined baking sheet. Char for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until blackened in spots. This step adds a crucial smoky depth to your broth.
- Toast the Spices: While the aromatics are charring, place the star anise, cinnamon stick, cloves, coriander seeds, and cardamom pod in a dry skillet over medium heat. Toast for 2-3 minutes, shaking the pan frequently, until they become very fragrant.
- Simmer the Broth: In a large stockpot, combine the beef broth, charred onion and ginger, and all the toasted spices. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Add the fish sauce and rock sugar. Let the broth simmer gently, partially covered, for at least 45 minutes to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Prepare Noodles and Garnishes: While the broth simmers, cook the rice noodles according to package directions. Drain, rinse with cold water, and divide them among four large soup bowls. Arrange all your fresh garnishes on a platter so everyone can customize their own bowl.
- Assemble the Pho: Arrange the paper-thin slices of raw beef over the noodles in each bowl.
- Finish and Serve: Taste the broth and adjust seasoning with more fish sauce if needed. Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean pot, discarding the solids. Bring the strained broth back to a rolling boil.
- Ladle and Garnish: Carefully ladle the boiling hot broth into each bowl, pouring it directly over the raw beef slices—the heat from the broth will cook them perfectly. Top with a sprinkle of sliced red and green onions. Serve immediately with the platter of fresh garnishes and sauces on the side for everyone to add as they please.
Recipe Notes:
- The Secret to Slicing Beef: For paper-thin slices, place your steak in the freezer for 15-20 minutes before slicing. This firms up the meat, making it much easier to slice thinly against the grain.
- Broth is Boss: The quality of your beef broth is the foundation of this dish. Use the best-quality, low-sodium stock or broth you can find for the richest flavor.
- Don’t Skip the Char: Charring the onion and ginger and toasting the spices are non-negotiable steps. They are the secret to building that deep, complex, and authentic pho flavor in a short amount of time.
- Garnish Generously: The fun of pho is personalizing your bowl! The fresh herbs add brightness, the bean sprouts add crunch, the lime adds acidity, and the sauces add a sweet or spicy kick. Encourage everyone to experiment.
- Storage: Leftover broth can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen. Store noodles and garnishes separately. Reheat the broth to a boil before serving with fresh noodles and toppings.
There you have it—a deeply fragrant and satisfying bowl of homemade pho that will warm you from the inside out. This recipe proves you don’t need to simmer a pot all day to achieve that beloved, complex flavor. We hope you enjoy the incredible experience of building your perfect bowl!
Estimated Nutritional Information (per serving, before garnishes)
Calories: 550; Fat: 15g (Saturated Fat: 6g); Carbohydrates: 55g; Sugar: 5g; Sodium: 1500mg; Protein: 45g;
Disclaimer: Nutritional information is estimated and can vary depending on specific ingredients, brands, and serving sizes used. This information is provided for guidance only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical or nutritional advice.
