Pho

Pho is a tasty Vietnamese noodle soup that’s full of flavor! With a warm broth, rice noodles, herbs, and often tender beef or chicken, it’s a comfort food that makes you feel good inside.

Every time I sip on that fragrant broth, it feels like a warm hug. Honestly, I could have pho for every meal—it’s that good! It’s also fun to customize with your favorite toppings! 🌿

Key Ingredients & Substitutions

Beef Bones: Use knuckle and marrow bones for a rich broth. If you’re short on time, store-bought broth can work, but it won’t be as flavorful. You can also use chicken bones for a lighter version.

Beef Brisket: Brisket gives a nice texture, but you could substitute with flank steak or even a leaner cut if you prefer less fat. Grilled chicken or tofu could also work for a different twist.

Rice Noodles: Flat rice noodles (pho noodles) are the traditional choice. If you can’t find them, try vermicelli noodles. Just make sure to adjust cooking times as necessary.

Herbs: Fresh Thai basil is key; however, if you can’t find it, sweet basil works too. You can skip or replace cilantro with parsley if you’re not a fan.

Fish Sauce: It’s crucial for authentic flavor. If you’re vegetarian, use soy sauce or a mushroom-based sauce instead.

How Do You Make A Flavorful Broth?

The secret to a great pho broth is all about layers of flavor. Start by charring the onion and ginger, as this adds a smoky depth. Then, be patient while simmering the bones to extract all their goodness. Here’s how to get it right:

• Char onion and ginger before adding to the pot. It enhances the broth’s taste.
• Parboil the bones to get rid of any impurities. This keeps your broth clear.
• Simmer gently for at least 6 hours. The longer, the better! Just keep adding water if needed.
• Skim the surface regularly to remove foam—this keeps the broth clean-tasting.

Follow these steps and you’ll have a fragrant broth that’s perfect for your pho!

How to Make Vietnamese Beef Pho (Phở Bò)

Ingredients You’ll Need:

For the Broth:

• 2 pounds beef bones (preferably knuckle and marrow bones)
• 1 pound beef brisket or flank steak
• 1 onion, halved
• 1 4-inch piece of ginger, halved lengthwise
• 5 star anise pods
• 3 whole cloves
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
• 1 tablespoon fennel seeds (optional)
• 1 tablespoon rock sugar or white sugar
• 1/4 cup fish sauce

For the Noodles and Garnishes:

• 1 pound dried flat rice noodles (pho noodles)
• 1 cup fresh bean sprouts
• 1/2 cup fresh Thai basil leaves
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
• 3-4 green onions, thinly sliced
• 2 limes, cut into wedges
• Fresh chili flakes or sliced fresh chilies (optional)
• Hoisin sauce and Sriracha sauce for serving (optional)
• Salt to taste

How Much Time Will You Need?

This flavorful pho recipe takes about 30 minutes of active prep time, plus a long simmering time of 6 to 10 hours for the broth, depending on your flavor preference. Don’t worry, most of that time is hands-off! Just let it simmer away while you attend to other things.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Prepare Broth Ingredients:

Start by charring the halved onion and ginger. You can do this under a broiler or directly over an open flame. Char them until slightly blackened. This step adds an amazing depth of flavor to your broth.

2. Parboil Bones:

Next, place the beef bones in a large stockpot and cover them with water. Bring it to a boil and allow it to cook for about 10 minutes. Afterward, drain and rinse the bones to get rid of impurities. It’s important to clean out the pot too!

3. Make the Broth:

Return the cleaned bones to the pot. Add 4 quarts of fresh water along with the charred onion, ginger, star anise, cloves, cinnamon sticks, coriander seeds, and fennel seeds if using. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.

4. Simmer the Broth:

Reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer, and cover the pot partially. Skim off any foam and impurities that rise to the top, and let it simmer for at least 6 hours, up to 10 hours for a more robust flavor. Add more water if necessary to keep the bones submerged.

5. Cook the Brisket:

In the last 1.5 hours of simmering, add the beef brisket to the broth and let it cook until tender. Once done, remove the brisket, set it aside, and slice it thinly after it has cooled a bit.

6. Season the Broth:

Remove the bones from the broth and strain it through a fine mesh to clarify. Discard any solids. Add the rock sugar and fish sauce, and then adjust the salt to taste, allowing the flavors to meld.

7. Prepare Noodles and Garnishes:

Soak the dried rice noodles in warm water until soft. Then briefly blanch them in boiling water before serving to warm them up. This gives you that perfect chewy texture!

8. Assemble Pho Bowls:

Divide the cooked noodles into bowls. Top with thin slices of cooked brisket and additional raw thinly sliced beef if you like (this will cook in the hot broth).

9. Serve:

Ladle the hot broth over the noodles and beef in the bowls. Garnish each bowl with bean sprouts, fresh basil, cilantro, and sliced green onions. Serve with lime wedges, chili flakes, hoisin sauce, and Sriracha on the side for each person to customize their own pho experience!

Now you have a delicious bowl of Vietnamese Beef Pho (Phở Bò) ready to enjoy! The combination of aromatic broth, fresh herbs, and flavorful beef brings a wonderful comfort that warms the soul. Happy slurping!

Can I Use Different Types of Meat in Pho?

Absolutely! While brisket is traditional, you can also use flank steak, short ribs, or even chicken for a lighter option. For vegetarians, consider using mushrooms and tofu for a delicious vegetable pho.

What If I Can’t Find Pho Noodles?

No worries! If you can’t find flat rice noodles, you can substitute with vermicelli noodles or any other thin noodles available. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time as needed!

How Can I Store Leftovers?

Store any leftover broth and ingredients separately in airtight containers in the fridge. The broth can last for about 3-4 days. Reheat gently on the stove, and then assemble fresh bowls just before serving to maintain the noodles’ texture.

How Do I Customize My Pho?

Pho is all about personalization! Add garnishes such as fresh bean sprouts, Thai basil, cilantro, lime, and chili to taste. Hoisin and Sriracha sauce also bring a great kick to enhance flavors!