Easy Flavorful Beef Pho Recipe
A quick and easy beef pho recipe that delivers rich, aromatic broth and tender beef in just 45 minutes, perfect for cozy weeknight dinners.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Vietnamese
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds beef bones (marrow or knuckle bones)
- 8 oz beef sirloin or flank steak, thinly sliced
- 1 large yellow onion, halved and charred
- 3-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced and charred
- 3 whole star anise
- 1 large cinnamon stick (about 3 inches)
- 4 whole cloves
- 2 cardamom pods, cracked open (optional)
- 3 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon rock sugar or granulated sugar
- 8 oz fresh or dried rice noodles
- Fresh herbs: Thai basil, cilantro, and mint (a handful each)
- 1 cup bean sprouts, rinsed
- Lime wedges for serving
- Jalapeño or Thai chili slices (optional)
Instructions
- Char the halved onion and sliced ginger over an open flame or under a broiler until blackened on the edges, about 5 minutes per side.
- Rinse beef bones under cold water. In a large stockpot, add bones, charred onion and ginger, and 14 cups (3.3 liters) of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
- Toast star anise, cinnamon stick, cloves, and cardamom in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Add toasted spices to the simmering broth.
- Simmer broth gently for 20 minutes, skimming off foam and impurities. Add fish sauce and rock sugar halfway through simmering.
- While broth simmers, soak fresh rice noodles in warm water for about 10 minutes or cook dried noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Freeze sirloin for 15 minutes for easier slicing. Slice thinly against the grain into paper-thin pieces.
- Assemble bowls by placing noodles in serving bowls, topping with raw beef slices. Ladle boiling hot broth over the beef to gently cook it.
- Garnish with fresh herbs, bean sprouts, lime wedges, and chili slices as desired.
Notes
Char the onion and ginger to unlock smoky, sweet notes essential for pho broth. Toast spices dry before adding to broth for enhanced aroma. Keep broth at a gentle simmer to maintain clarity and flavor. Freeze beef briefly for easier thin slicing. Skim foam regularly to avoid cloudy broth. Adjust seasoning with fish sauce or salt as needed. Store broth separately from noodles and beef to prevent sogginess. Reheat broth gently before assembling bowls.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 2 cups of brot
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 900
- Fat: 9
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 30
Keywords: beef pho, pho recipe, quick pho, Vietnamese soup, easy pho, homemade pho, beef soup, flavorful broth