Vietnamese Pho Broth Simmered with Star Anise and Cloves
A fragrant and deeply savory beef broth infused with star anise and cloves, forming the soul of traditional Vietnamese pho served with fresh herbs and rice noodles. This vietnamese-inspired soups ready in about 285 minutes pairs marrow and knuckle bones beef bones, large, halved onion, inch piece, halved lengthwise ginger for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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
- 3 lbs, marrow and knuckle bones beef bones
- 1 large, halved onion
- 3-inch piece, halved lengthwise ginger
- 4 whole star anise
- 5 whole cloves
- 1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick
- 3 whole cardamom pods
- 1/4 cup fish sauce
- 1 tbsp rock sugar
- 5 quarts water
- 2 tsp salt
- 12 oz, dried rice noodles
- 8 oz, thinly sliced beef sirloin
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 1/2 cup fresh leaves Thai basil
- 4 lime wedges
- 3, thinly sliced scallions
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 450°F. Place 3 lbs beef bones on a rimmed baking sheet and roast for 30 minutes until browned.
- Step 2: Meanwhile, char 1 large halved onion and 3-inch halved ginger on a dry skillet over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes until blackened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Transfer roasted bones, charred onion, and ginger to a large stockpot. Add 5 quarts water, 4 whole star anise, 5 cloves, 1 cinnamon stick, and 3 cardamom pods. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer.
- Step 4: Skim any scum from the surface for the first 30 minutes. Add 1/4 cup fish sauce, 1 tbsp rock sugar, and 2 tsp salt. Simmer uncovered for 4 hours to develop a rich broth.
- Step 5: About 15 minutes before serving, soak 12 oz dried rice noodles in hot water until pliable, then blanch in boiling water for 1-2 minutes until tender; drain.
- Step 6: Arrange thinly sliced 8 oz beef sirloin in bowls over noodles. Pour hot broth over the beef to cook it gently.
- Step 7: Serve pho with 1 cup bean sprouts, 1/2 cup Thai basil leaves, 4 lime wedges, 3 thinly sliced scallions, and 1/4 cup chopped cilantro for garnishing and layering flavors.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Vietnamese Pho Broth Simmered with Star Anise and Cloves take to make?
Total time is about 285 minutes (45 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 Vietnamese Pho Broth Simmered with Star Anise and Cloves?
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 large, halved onion from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Vietnamese Pho Broth Simmered with Star Anise and Cloves?
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 Vietnamese Pho Broth Simmered with Star Anise and Cloves 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 Vietnamese Pho Broth Simmered with Star Anise and Cloves?
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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