Slow-Cooked Vietnamese Beef Pho Broth with Star Anise
A rich and aromatic beef broth simmered slowly with star anise and spices, forming the heart of a classic Vietnamese pho noodle soup. This vietnamese-inspired beef ready in about 405 minutes pairs beef bones (marrow and knuckle), large, halved onion, inch piece, halved lengthwise ginger for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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
- 3 lbs beef bones (marrow and knuckle)
- 1 large, halved onion
- 4-inch piece, halved lengthwise ginger
- 5 star anise pods
- 2, 3-inch pieces cinnamon sticks
- 4 whole cloves
- 3 cardamom pods
- 2 tbsp salt
- 1 tbsp rock sugar
- 1/4 cup fish sauce
- 4 quarts water
- 12 oz, dried rice noodles
- 2 cups, rinsed bean sprouts
- 1 cup fresh Thai basil
- 1 lime, cut into wedges lime wedges
- 1/2 lb thinly sliced beef sirloin
- 3, sliced thin scallions
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 450°F. Place 3 lbs beef bones, 1 large halved onion, and 4-inch halved ginger on a baking sheet and roast for 30 minutes until deeply browned.
- Step 2: Transfer roasted bones, onion, and ginger to a large stockpot. Add 4 quarts water, 5 star anise pods, 2 cinnamon sticks, 4 cloves, 3 cardamom pods, 2 tbsp salt, and 1 tbsp rock sugar. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
- Step 3: Simmer uncovered for at least 6 hours, occasionally skimming foam and fat from the surface, until broth is clear and flavorful.
- Step 4: After simmering, strain broth through a fine mesh sieve into a clean pot. Stir in 1/4 cup fish sauce and keep warm.
- Step 5: Meanwhile, cook 12 oz dried rice noodles according to package instructions until tender but firm. Drain and divide among 4 bowls.
- Step 6: Arrange 1/2 lb thinly sliced beef sirloin on top of noodles. Pour hot broth over beef and noodles to cook the beef slightly.
- Step 7: Garnish with 2 cups rinsed bean sprouts, 1 cup fresh Thai basil, 3 sliced scallions, and lime wedges. Serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Vietnamese Beef Pho Broth with Star Anise 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 Vietnamese Beef Pho Broth with Star Anise?
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 large, halved onion from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Vietnamese Beef Pho Broth with Star Anise?
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 Vietnamese Beef Pho Broth with Star Anise 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 Vietnamese Beef Pho Broth with Star Anise?
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.
