Slow-Cooked Beef Pho with Star Anise and Cinnamon Broth
A deeply aromatic broth slow-simmered with beef bones and traditional spices, paired with tender beef slices and fresh herbs for a comforting Vietnamese noodle soup. This vietnamese-inspired beef ready in about 405 minutes pairs beef marrow bones, beef brisket, large yellow onion, halved for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, 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 beef marrow bones
- 1 lb beef brisket
- 1 large yellow onion, halved
- 3-inch piece ginger, sliced
- 4 whole star anise
- 2 sticks cinnamon sticks
- 5 whole cloves
- 3 pods cardamom pods
- 1/4 cup fish sauce
- 1 tbsp rock sugar or white sugar
- 1 tbsp salt
- 12 oz dried rice noodles (pho noodles)
- 2 cups bean sprouts
- 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 cup green onions, sliced
- 4 wedges lime wedges
- 1/4 cup sliced jalapeños
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 450°F. Place 2 lbs beef marrow bones and 1 large halved yellow onion and 3-inch sliced ginger on a baking sheet, roast for 30 minutes until browned and fragrant.
- Step 2: Transfer bones, onion, and ginger to a large stockpot. Add 10 cups water, 4 star anise, 2 cinnamon sticks, 5 cloves, and 3 cardamom pods. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer gently, uncovered, for 6 hours, skimming impurities every 30 minutes.
- Step 3: After 4 hours, add 1 lb beef brisket to the pot and continue simmering for 2 hours until tender.
- Step 4: Remove bones, brisket, onion, and ginger from broth. Strain broth through a fine mesh sieve into a clean pot.
- Step 5: Season broth with 1/4 cup fish sauce, 1 tbsp rock sugar, and 1 tbsp salt. Adjust seasoning to taste and keep broth hot.
- Step 6: Cook 12 oz dried rice noodles according to package instructions until soft but firm, then drain and divide among 4 bowls.
- Step 7: Thinly slice cooked beef brisket and arrange atop noodles. Ladle hot broth over noodles and beef.
- Step 8: Garnish each bowl with 2 cups bean sprouts, 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves, 1/2 cup chopped cilantro, 1/2 cup sliced green onions, lime wedges, and sliced jalapeños to add fresh brightness and heat.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Beef Pho with Star Anise and Cinnamon Broth take to make?
Total time is about 405 minutes (45 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 Broth?
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 beef marrow bones from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Beef Pho with Star Anise and Cinnamon Broth?
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 Broth for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Broth?
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.
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