Slow-Simmered Beef Pho with Star Anise and Cardamom

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · 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-inspired 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.

★ 4.4 (15 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 360 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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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