Immerse yourself in the aromatic and comforting flavors of a classic Vietnamese dish with this Homemade Beef Pho recipe. Simmered beef bones, a fragrant spice mix, fish sauce, and other carefully selected ingredients come together to create a rich and flavorful broth that serves as the foundation of this beloved soup, Get ready to savor each spoonful of this nourishing and delicious bowl of pho.
Ingredients:
For the broth:
4 lbs. beef bones (knuckle, marrow, or oxtail)
1 large onion, sliced
4-inch piece of ginger, sliced
4 cloves of garlic, crushed
2 cinnamon sticks
3 star anise
1 tablespoon coriander seeds
5 cardamom pods
6 cloves
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
2 tablespoons fish sauce
Salt, to taste
For the pho:
Rice noodles
Cooked beef (sliced or shredded)
Fresh herbs (Thai basil, cilantro, mint)
Bean sprouts
Lime wedges
Sriracha or hoisin sauce (optional)
Thinly sliced onions (optional)
Microgreens! The best options for pho soup would be Sweet Peas, and any of our Radishes!
** Optional : Make your broth even better! **
One great way to bring even more depth to your broth is to lightly cover your bones and onions in olive oil, some salt, and black pepper. Set your oven to low broil, and brown your onion and bones. Take it a step further and lightly toast all of your spices in a sauce pan on low heat until browned and aromatic!
Instructions:
1. Prepare the broth:
Place the beef bones in a large stockpot and cover them with water. Bring to a boil and let it simmer for 5 minutes. Drain and rinse the bones to remove any impurities.
Refill the stockpot with fresh water and return the bones to the pot. Add sliced onion, ginger, garlic, cinnamon sticks, star anise, coriander seeds, cardamom pods, cloves, fennel seeds, and fish sauce. We suggest using a spice bag, similar to how tea bags are used, to keep all your spices together, and easy to remove from the broth when done.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer for 4-6 hours, skimming off any foam that rises to the surface. The longer you simmer, the more flavorful your broth will be. If you have an instapot or pressure cooker, you can reduce the cook time to 2-4 hours instead!
Season the broth with salt to taste. Strain the broth, discarding the solids, and keep it warm.
2. Prepare the toppings and noodles:
Cook the rice noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water to prevent sticking.
Slice or shred the cooked beef. Set aside.
Prepare the fresh herbs, bean sprouts, lime wedges, and any other desired toppings.
3. Assemble the pho:
Divide the cooked rice noodles among serving bowls.
Arrange the sliced or shredded beef on top of the noodles.
Ladle the HOT beef broth into each bowl, covering the noodles and beef. The hot broth will partially cook the beef.
Serve the bowls of pho with a plate of fresh herbs, bean sprouts, lime wedges, and optional condiments like Sriracha or hoisin sauce and thinly sliced onions. Let everyone garnish their pho according to their preferences.
4. Enjoy:
Mix the toppings and herbs into the broth, squeeze in some lime juice, and savor the warm and comforting flavors of your homemade beef pho.
Enjoy your proteins with a mixture of Hoison sauce and sriracha as well!
Optional: For added variety, you can also include additional proteins like thinly sliced raw beef, beef meatballs, or shrimp to your pho.
Experience the authentic flavors of Vietnam with this Homemade Beef Pho recipe. With its fragrant broth infused with spices, tender beef, and an array of fresh toppings, this hearty and flavorful soup is sure to transport your taste buds. Treat yourself to a bowl of comforting pho and relish in the rich and aromatic flavors of this beloved Vietnamese dish. Check out our selection of microgreens here!