Vietnamese Pho Recipe
Category: Main Dishes
Serves: 4
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Beef bones (for broth) | 2 kg |
| Beef sirloin (for garnish) | 200 g |
| Yellow onions | 2 |
| Fresh ginger | 200 g |
| Star anise | 5 |
| Coriander seeds | 1 tbsp |
| Black peppercorns | 1 tbsp |
| Coarse salt | 1 tbsp |
| Rice noodles (pho noodles) | 320 g |
| Fresh scallions (green onions) | 1 |
| Fresh chili pepper (optional) | ½ |
| Chopped chives | To taste |
| Fresh coriander (cilantro) | To taste |
| Bean sprouts | To taste |
Instructions
To make this delicious and aromatic Vietnamese Pho, follow these steps for a flavorful experience:
Step 1: Prepare the Broth
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Start the Broth: Begin by placing the beef bones in a large pot. Cover them with cold water and bring to a boil. Let it cook for about 30 minutes to allow the bones to release their flavors.
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Prepare Aromatics: While the broth is simmering, peel and cut the onions in half. Peel the fresh ginger and cut it into small pieces. Set these ingredients aside for later.
Step 2: Continue Broth Cooking
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Flavor the Broth: After 30 minutes, remove the beef bones from the pot and discard the water. Add the halved onions, ginger pieces, star anise, coriander seeds, and black peppercorns to the pot. Stir everything together to ensure the spices are well-mixed.
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Simmer for Hours: Let the broth cook on a low simmer for the next 5 hours. This will infuse the broth with deep, rich flavors from the bones and spices.
Step 3: Prep Other Ingredients
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Chop the Garnishes: While the broth is simmering, prepare the other ingredients. Thinly slice the yellow onions and fresh scallions. Chop the fresh coriander (cilantro) and chili pepper. Slice the beef sirloin for garnish into thin pieces, about 3 mm thick. Cut another 200 g of sirloin into cubes, approximately 4 cm in size, to cook in the broth.
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Prepare Noodles: Bring a separate pot of water to a boil. Rinse the rice noodles (pho noodles) under cold water. Then, turn off the heat and let the noodles soak in the hot water for about 5 minutes. After soaking, drain the noodles.
Step 4: Finalize the Broth
- Strain the Broth: After 5 hours of simmering, strain the broth into a clean pot, discarding the solids. Return the beef bones to the pot with the strained broth. Add the cubed sirloin pieces to the pot and cook for an additional 30 minutes to tenderize the meat.
Step 5: Assemble the Pho
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Assemble the Pho Bowls: To assemble the pho, place a portion of noodles in each bowl. Add a few slices of raw beef sirloin, a couple of pieces of cooked beef from the broth, and some thinly sliced onions and scallions. Sprinkle with chopped coriander and chili, and add a pinch of chopped chives.
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Add the Broth: Ladle the hot broth over the assembled ingredients in each bowl. Be sure the broth is boiling hot to cook the raw beef slices slightly and infuse the flavors.
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Garnish and Serve: Finally, garnish the pho with fresh bean sprouts and any additional herbs to taste. Serve immediately and enjoy the authentic taste of Vietnamese Pho!
Tips for the Best Pho Experience
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Broth: The longer you simmer the broth, the richer and more flavorful it will become. The 5-hour simmering time is crucial for extracting the full depth of flavors from the beef bones and spices.
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Meat Options: While the recipe suggests sirloin for garnish, feel free to experiment with other cuts like brisket or flank steak for added flavor and texture.
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Spice Level: Adjust the chili pepper to your preference. You can also serve extra chili on the side for guests who like their pho spicier.
This traditional Vietnamese Pho recipe is an authentic, aromatic dish that’s perfect for warming you up on chilly evenings or impressing guests at dinner. The rich, fragrant broth combined with tender beef and fresh garnishes makes for a hearty, flavorful meal. Enjoy the comforting, satisfying taste of this Vietnamese classic!
