Slow-Simmered Beef Pho with Star Anise and Cardamom

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A fragrant, slow-simmered beef broth infused with star anise and cardamom, served with tender sliced beef and fresh herbs over rice noodles. This vietnamese ready in about 380 minutes pairs beef bones, large, halved onion, inch piece, sliced ginger 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 360 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place 3 lbs beef bones in a large stockpot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil and blanch for 10 minutes. Drain and rinse bones to remove impurities.
  2. Step 2: Char 1 halved onion and 3-inch sliced ginger over an open flame or under the broiler until blackened, about 5 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Add cleaned bones back to the pot with 12 cups fresh water, charred onion, ginger, 4 star anise, 5 green cardamom pods, 1 cinnamon stick, and 6 cloves. Simmer gently uncovered for at least 6 hours, skimming foam occasionally.
  4. Step 4: After simmering, strain the broth through a fine mesh sieve. Return broth to pot and season with 1/4 cup fish sauce, 1 tbsp rock sugar, and 1 tbsp salt. Keep warm.
  5. Step 5: Soak 8 oz pho rice noodles in hot water for 10 minutes until tender, then drain.
  6. Step 6: To serve, divide noodles into 4 bowls. Top with thinly sliced 1/2 lb raw beef sirloin. Ladle hot broth over the beef to cook it gently.
  7. Step 7: Garnish with 1 cup bean sprouts, 1/2 cup fresh Thai basil, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, 4 lime wedges, and sliced jalapeño to taste.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Simmered Beef Pho with Star Anise and Cardamom 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 with Star Anise and Cardamom?

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 bones from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Beef Pho with Star Anise and Cardamom?

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 with Star Anise and Cardamom 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-Simmered Beef Pho with Star Anise and Cardamom?

Vietnamese vietnamese 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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