Homemade Pho: The Authentic Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup

Pho, the beloved Vietnamese dish, is a perfect blend of rich, aromatic broth and tender grilled beef, served with fresh herbs, noodles, and a variety of condiments. Perfect for any meal, whether you're craving something light yet satisfying, you can either follow a long process of making the broth or opt for an easier, faster method. In this guide, we'll walk you through a delicious and authentic homemade pho recipe that serves 4-6 people and includes a detailed step-by-step approach to crafting your very own Pho.

Ingredients

For the Broth

2 lbs beef bones (preferably marrow bones and knuckle bones) 1 lb brisket or flank steak 1 onion, halved 1 ginger root (about 4 inches), halved 4-5 star anise 1 cinnamon stick 4-5 cloves 1 cardamom pod (optional) 1 tsp coriander seeds (optional) 1 tbsp fish sauce 1 tbsp salt 10 cups water

For the Noodles and Toppings

1 lb rice noodles (bánh ph?) fresh herbs: basil, cilantro, mint bean sprouts sliced jalape?os or Thai bird chilies lime wedges thinly sliced green onions hoisin sauce for serving sriracha sauce for serving

Instructions

1. Prepare the Broth

Blanch the Bones
Place the beef bones in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil and let it boil for about 10 minutes. This helps to remove impurities. Drain and rinse the bones under cold water. Char the Onion and Ginger
While the bones are blanching, place the onion and ginger cut side down on a baking sheet. Broil in the oven for about 10 minutes until charred. Make the Broth
Add the blanched bones, charred onion, ginger, star anise, cinnamon stick, cloves, cardamom pod (optional), coriander seeds (optional), fish sauce, salt, and water to a large pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and let it simmer for at least 4 hours. The longer the broth simmers, the richer it becomes. Skim the Broth
Occasionally skim off any foam or fat that rises to the top. After 4-6 hours, strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve into another pot. Discard the solids.

2. Cook the Noodles

Prepare Rice Noodles
Cook the rice noodles according to package instructions, usually by soaking them in hot water for about 15-20 minutes until tender. Drain and set aside.

3. Assemble the Pho

Cook the Brisket
Add the brisket to the strained broth and simmer for about 30-40 minutes until tender. Remove the brisket, let it cool slightly, then slice it thinly. Serve
In a bowl, place a portion of the cooked noodles. Top with slices of brisket and ladle hot broth over the top. Garnish with fresh herbs, bean sprouts, sliced chilies, and green onions. Serve with lime wedges, hoisin sauce, and sriracha on the side.

Tips

Customize
Feel free to add other proteins like meatballs or chicken and adjust toppings to your liking. Make Ahead
The broth can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Reheat before serving.

Enjoy your homemade pho, a comforting and delicious addition to your meal routine!