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Vietnamese pho recipe with authentic star anise broth

Name: Vietnamese pho recipe with authentic star anise broth
Prep time: 67 min
Cook time: 200 min
Total time: 267 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: Beef bones (knuckle or marrow), 2 lbs, cut into pieces; Onion, 1 medium, halved; Fresh ginger, 4-inch piece, halved; Water, 8 cups; Fish sauce, 2 tablespoons; Star anise pods, 2 whole; Cinnamon stick, 1; Coriander seeds, 1 teaspoon; Sugar, 1 tablespoon; Dried flat rice noodles (pho noodles), 8 oz; Beef sirloin or flank steak, 1/2 lb, thinly sliced; Fresh bean sprouts, 1 cup; Fresh mint leaves, 1/2 cup; Fresh cilantro leaves, 1/2 cup; Thai basil leaves, 1/2 cup; Limes, 2, cut into wedges; Fresh chilies, 2, sliced

Discover how to balance savory beef broth and aromatic spices in this comprehensive guide to making traditional Vietnamese pho. This classic dish offers a comforting warmth that rivals the best street food stalls in Hanoi.

4.2(671 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·June 22, 2025

Vietnamese pho recipe with authentic star anise broth — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

1 h 7 min

Cook

3 h 20 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Broth

For the Noodles

For the Beef

For the Garnishes

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 568 kcal
Protein: 55.75 g
Carbs: 56.75 g
Fat: 22 g
Fiber: 3.75 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 2270 kcal
Protein: 223 g
Carbs: 227 g
Fat: 88 g
Fiber: 15 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
Beef bones (knuckle or marrow) 2 lbs, cut into pieces	800	140	0	64	0
Onion 1 medium, halved	45	1	11	0	2
Fresh ginger 4-inch piece, halved	18	0	4	0	1
Water 8 cups	0	0	0	0	0
Fish sauce 2 tablespoons	8	2	1	0	0
Star anise pods 2 whole	12	0	3	0	0
Cinnamon stick 1	6	0	2	0	1
Coriander seeds 1 teaspoon	5	0	1	0	1
Sugar 1 tablespoon	49	0	12	0	0
Dried flat rice noodles (pho noodles) 8 oz	800	16	176	0	4
Beef sirloin or flank steak 1/2 lb, thinly sliced	456	60	0	24	0
Fresh bean sprouts 1 cup	31	3	6	0	2
Fresh mint leaves 1/2 cup	5	0	1	0	1
Fresh cilantro leaves 1/2 cup	1	0	0	0	0
Thai basil leaves 1/2 cup	2	0	0	0	0
Limes 2, cut into wedges	20	1	7	0	2
Fresh chilies 2, sliced	12	0	3	0	1

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Beef

1
Prepare Beef
Place beef slices in a bowl.
2
Season Beef
Season lightly with salt and pepper.
3
Refrigerate
Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

Preparing the Broth

1
Roast Bones
Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C). Arrange beef bones on a baking sheet and roast for 30 minutes.
2
Simmer Base
In a large pot, add roasted bones, onion, ginger, and water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 2 hours.
Tip: Skim the broth occasionally to remove impurities and ensure clarity.
3
Add Spices
Add fish sauce, star anise, cinnamon, coriander seeds, and sugar. Simmer for an additional hour.
Tip: Strain the broth through a fine sieve after simmering to ensure a smooth, clear base.

How to Make Vietnamese pho recipe with authentic star anise broth

Total time: 4 h 27 min · Yields 4 servings

1
Noodle Preparation
Cook rice noodles according to package instructions, then rinse with cold water and drain.
2
Assembling the Pho
Divide cooked noodles into bowls. Top with raw beef slices.
3
Finishing the Dish
Pour hot broth over the noodles and beef, cooking the meat gently in the broth's heat.