Slow-Cooked Beef Pho with Star Anise and Cinnamon
A fragrant Vietnamese beef noodle soup simmered slowly with star anise, cinnamon, and charred aromatics for deep, rich flavor. This vietnamese-inspired beef ready in about 390 minutes pairs trimmed beef brisket, beef bones, medium, halved and charred onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs, trimmed beef brisket
- 3 lbs beef bones
- 2 medium, halved and charred onion
- 4-inch piece, sliced and charred ginger
- 5 whole star anise
- 2 sticks cinnamon sticks
- 4 whole cloves
- 3 pods, crushed cardamom pods
- 1/4 cup fish sauce
- 1 tbsp rock sugar
- 1 tbsp salt
- 14 oz, soaked rice noodles
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1 lime, cut lime wedges
- 1/4 cup jalapeño slices
Instructions
- Step 1: Char 2 medium halved onions and 4-inch sliced ginger over an open flame or under a broiler until blackened, about 10 minutes, then rinse to remove ash.
- Step 2: In a large stockpot, add 3 lbs beef bones and 2 lbs trimmed beef brisket. Cover with 5 quarts cold water and bring to a boil. Boil vigorously for 10 minutes, then drain and rinse bones and pot to remove impurities.
- Step 3: Return bones and beef to the pot, add charred onion and ginger, 5 star anise, 2 cinnamon sticks, 4 cloves, and 3 crushed cardamom pods. Simmer gently uncovered for 6 hours, skimming any foam every 30 minutes.
- Step 4: After simmering, remove bones and brisket. Slice brisket thinly. Strain broth through a fine sieve. Add 1/4 cup fish sauce, 1 tbsp rock sugar, and 1 tbsp salt to broth, adjusting seasoning to taste.
- Step 5: Prepare 14 oz soaked rice noodles according to package instructions. Divide noodles and sliced brisket into bowls. Ladle hot broth over. Serve with 1 cup bean sprouts, 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, lime wedges, and jalapeño slices on the side.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Beef Pho with Star Anise and Cinnamon take to make?
Total time is about 390 minutes (30 min prep + 360 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Slow-Cooked Beef Pho with Star Anise and Cinnamon?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep trimmed beef brisket from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Beef Pho with Star Anise and Cinnamon?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Slow-Cooked Beef Pho with Star Anise and Cinnamon for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Slow-Cooked Beef Pho with Star Anise and Cinnamon?
Vietnamese beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
