Slow-Simmered Beef Pho Broth with Star Anise and Ginger
A deeply aromatic and clear beef broth simmered low and slow with fragrant spices, perfect for a classic Vietnamese pho noodle soup. This vietnamese-inspired beef (gluten free) ready in about 380 minutes pairs beef marrow bones, beef brisket, large, halved onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 150 calories and feeds 8, 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, halved onion
- 4-inch piece, halved lengthwise ginger
- 4 star anise pods
- 2 sticks, 3 inches each cinnamon sticks
- 5 whole cloves
- 3 cardamom pods
- 1/4 cup fish sauce
- 1 tbsp rock sugar or granulated sugar
- 2 tsp salt
- 4 quarts water
Instructions
- Step 1: Char 1 large halved onion and 4-inch halved ginger piece directly over an open flame or under a broiler for about 5 minutes until blackened and fragrant.
- Step 2: In a large stockpot, add 2 lbs beef marrow bones and 1 lb beef brisket. Cover with 4 quarts cold water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Boil for 10 minutes, then drain and rinse bones and meat to remove impurities.
- Step 3: Return cleaned bones and brisket to the pot along with the charred onion, ginger, 4 star anise pods, 2 cinnamon sticks, 5 cloves, and 3 cardamom pods. Add 1/4 cup fish sauce, 1 tbsp rock sugar, and 2 tsp salt.
- Step 4: Simmer gently over low heat, uncovered, for at least 6 hours, skimming foam every 30 minutes to keep broth clear. Remove brisket after 2 hours to avoid overcooking.
- Step 5: Strain broth through a fine mesh sieve. Adjust seasoning with additional fish sauce or salt as needed. Use immediately for pho noodles with rice noodles, thinly sliced beef, and fresh herbs.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Simmered Beef Pho Broth with Star Anise and Ginger take to make?
Total time is about 380 minutes (20 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-Simmered Beef Pho Broth with Star Anise and Ginger?
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-Simmered Beef Pho Broth with Star Anise and Ginger?
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-Simmered Beef Pho Broth with Star Anise and Ginger for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). 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.
Is Slow-Simmered Beef Pho Broth with Star Anise and Ginger gluten free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
