Beef Pho

Beef Pho

Beef Pho

Pho is the national dish of Vietnam. It can be traced back to the early 1900’s; culturally influenced by the French’s introduction of beef, which is the main flavor component. Today, there seems to be a never ending plethora of Vietnamese restaurants with pho being the specialty.
Pho stock is made by roasting beef bones and whole onions, then simmering in a large stock pot of water with star anise, ginger, cinnamon stick, sugar, and salt. Some recipes for the stock will include a small stewing hen as part of the boil. The stock is simmered for at least 4 hours, with some recipes taking 24 hours. Then the stock is strained and ready to serve.
Beef is the main protein in pho. The beef is always raw, sliced paper thin, and is cooked when boiling stock is ladled over. Many cuts of beef can be used including flank, eye of round, brisket, and ribeye. Vietnamese love texture, so there are varieties of pho that include tripe and tendons. Other than beef, pho contains rice noodles, bean sprouts, Thai basil, cilantro, green onions, hoisin sauce, fish sauce, and is served with lime wedges; just to name a few ingredients.
Prep Time45 minutes
Cook Time4 hours
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Keyword: Beef, main course, noodles, soup, Southeast Asian, Vietnamese
Servings: 4
Author: Alex Gorgos

Ingredients

Pho Stock

  • 5 lbs beef bones femur and neck
  • 2 large onions cut in half
  • 10 star anise
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 large ginger split in half
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp salt
  • 6 quarts water

Beef Pho

  • 14 oz rice stick noodles prepared according to package directions
  • 1 lb beef ribeye sliced paper thin
  • Asian style beef meatballs sliced
  • 2 cups bean sprouts blanched for 30 seconds
  • Thai basil
  • cilantro
  • green onions chopped
  • lime wedges
  • hoisin sauce
  • fish sauce
  • sriracha

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place the beef bones and halved onions on a baking sheet.
    Vietnamese, main course, beef, soup
  • Roast for 45 minutes. Set aside.
    Vietnamese, main course, beef, soup
  • Dry toast the star anise in a small skillet over medium heat for 3 minutes.
    Vietnamese, main course, beef, soup
  • Place the star anise, cinnamon stick, and halved ginger in a large pot of water; about 6 quarts. Bring to a boil.
    Vietnamese, main course, beef, soup
  • Add in the roasted beef bones, onions, sugar, and salt.
    Vietnamese, main course, beef, soup
  • Simmer over medium heat for at least 4 hours.
    Vietnamese, main course, beef, soup
  • Strain the pho stock. Return to the pot and bring to a boil.
    Vietnamese, main course, beef, soup

Pho Assembly

  • Assemble the basil, cilantro, green onions, bean sprouts, lime wedges, and hoisin sauce on a plate.
    Vietnamese, main course, beef, soup
  • Place 1 portion of rice noodles in the bottom of a large soup bowl. Place the sliced ribeye and meatballs on top of the noodles.
    Vietnamese, main course, beef, soup
  • Ladle the boiling stock over the beef and noodles.
    Vietnamese, main course, beef, soup
Vietnamese, main course, beef, soup
Add in the rest of the ingredients, and you’ll be ready for bliss.