Slow-Simmered Beef Pho with Star Anise and Charred Ginger
A fragrant Vietnamese noodle soup featuring tender beef brisket simmered with traditional spices for a rich, aromatic broth. This vietnamese-inspired soups ready in about 420 minutes pairs beef brisket, beef bones, large, halved onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, 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
- 1.5 lbs beef brisket
- 2 lbs beef bones
- 1 large, halved onion
- 3-inch piece, halved lengthwise ginger
- 4 whole star anise
- 1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick
- 5 whole cloves
- 3 whole cardamom pods
- 1/4 cup fish sauce
- 1 tbsp rock sugar
- 1 tbsp salt
- 12 oz dried rice noodles
- 2 cups bean sprouts
- 1 cup fresh Thai basil
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
- 1 lime, cut into wedges lime wedges
- 1 small sliced jalapeño
- 3 sliced thin green onions
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 2 lbs beef bones in a large stockpot and cover with 5 quarts of cold water. Bring to a boil over high heat and boil for 15 minutes to remove impurities, then drain and rinse bones under warm water to clean.
- Step 2: Char 1 large halved onion and 3-inch halved ginger over an open flame or under broiler for 5-7 minutes until blackened edges and fragrant.
- Step 3: Return cleaned bones to the pot with 12 cups fresh water, add charred onion, ginger, 4 star anise, 1 cinnamon stick, 5 cloves, and 3 cardamom pods. Bring to a gentle boil then reduce to a low simmer and cook uncovered for 6 hours, skimming any foam every 30 minutes.
- Step 4: After 6 hours, add 1/4 cup fish sauce, 1 tbsp rock sugar, and 1 tbsp salt. Simmer for an additional 30 minutes.
- Step 5: Meanwhile, soak 12 oz dried rice noodles in warm water for 30 minutes until pliable, then drain.
- Step 6: Slice 1.5 lbs beef brisket thinly and briefly blanch slices in boiling water for 10 seconds to warm.
- Step 7: To serve, divide noodles among bowls, top with beef brisket slices, ladle hot broth over to cook beef further. Garnish with 2 cups bean sprouts, 1 cup fresh Thai basil, 1/2 cup chopped cilantro, 3 sliced green onions, sliced jalapeño, and lime wedges.
- Step 8: Encourage diners to squeeze lime and add jalapeño to taste for layered flavors.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Simmered Beef Pho with Star Anise and Charred Ginger take to make?
Total time is about 420 minutes (30 min prep + 390 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 Charred 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 brisket from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Beef Pho with Star Anise and Charred 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 with Star Anise and Charred Ginger for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Charred Ginger?
Vietnamese soups 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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