Slow-Simmered Pho Bo with Star Anise and Beef Brisket

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A comforting bowl of Vietnamese pho featuring aromatic broth infused with star anise and tender slices of slow-cooked beef brisket. This vietnamese-inspired beef ready in about 260 minutes pairs beef brisket, beef bones, large onion, halved and charred 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.

★ 4.2 (15 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 240 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 450 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Order on Instacart →

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place 3 lb beef bones in a large stockpot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil over high heat for 10 minutes, then drain and rinse bones to remove impurities.
  2. Step 2: Refill the pot with 4 quarts fresh water. Add 2 lb beef brisket, 1 large charred halved onion, 4 charred ginger slices, 5 star anise pods, 2 cinnamon sticks, 4 cloves, and 3 cardamom pods. Simmer gently over low heat for 4 hours, skimming foam occasionally.
  3. Step 3: After 4 hours, remove brisket and set aside to cool, strain broth through a fine mesh sieve, discard solids, then season broth with 1/4 cup fish sauce and 1 tbsp rock sugar. Keep broth hot.
  4. Step 4: Slice cooled brisket thinly against the grain. Cook 12 oz pho rice noodles according to package instructions until tender, then drain.
  5. Step 5: To serve, divide noodles into 4 bowls. Top with sliced brisket, 1/2 cup thinly sliced white onion, and fresh herbs: 1 cup bean sprouts, 1/2 cup Thai basil leaves, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, and sliced jalapeño to taste.
  6. Step 6: Ladle hot broth over the bowls and serve with lime wedges for squeezing.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Simmered Pho Bo with Star Anise and Beef Brisket take to make?

Total time is about 260 minutes (20 min prep + 240 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 Pho Bo with Star Anise and Beef Brisket?

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 Pho Bo with Star Anise and Beef Brisket?

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 Pho Bo with Star Anise and Beef Brisket 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 Pho Bo with Star Anise and Beef Brisket?

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.

What others are saying

Related recipes

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →