Authentic Pho

Authentic pho soup is all about the broth! Don't skimp on the simmering time or you'll miss out on the complex, aromatic flavors that are so important to this soup.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 7 hr 5 mins
• Total Time: 7 hr 25 mins
• Calories: 509 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon salt
• 4 quarts water
• 1 tablespoon chopped green onion
• 1 (8 ounce) package dried rice noodles
• 1 bunch Thai basil
• 2 pods star anise
• 4 pounds beef soup bones (shank and knee)
• 1 medium onion, unpeeled and cut in half
• 5 slices fresh ginger
• 1 medium lime, cut into 4 wedges
• 0.5 cup chopped cilantro
• 1.5 cups bean sprouts
• 0.25 cup hoisin sauce
• 2.5 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1.5 pounds beef top sirloin, thinly sliced
• 0.25 cup chile-garlic sauce (such as Sriracha®)

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).

Step 2

Place beef bones on a baking sheet and roast in the preheated oven until browned, about 1 hour.

Step 3

Place onion halves on a second baking sheet and roast on another rack until blackened and soft, about 45 minutes.

Step 4

Transfer beef bones and onion halves to a large stockpot. Add ginger, salt, star anise, fish sauce, and 4 quarts water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 6 to 10 hours. Strain the broth into a saucepan and set aside.

Step 5

Place rice noodles in a large bowl filled with room temperature water. Let soak for 1 hour. Drain.

Step 6

When noodles have soaked for 1 hour, heat up the reserved broth by bringing it to a simmer.

Step 7

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the noodles in the boiling water for 1 minute. Drain.

Step 8

Divide noodles among 4 serving bowls; top with sirloin, cilantro, and green onion. Ladle hot broth over the top. Stir and let sit until beef is partially cooked and no longer pink, 1 to 2 minutes.

Step 9

Serve with bean sprouts, Thai basil, lime wedges, hoisin sauce, and chile-garlic sauce on the side.