Vietnamese Pho with Star Anise Broth and Fresh Herbs

Name: Vietnamese Pho with Star Anise Broth and Fresh Herbs
Prep time: 3 h
Cook time: 3 h
Total time: 3 h
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: Beef bones (knuckle or marrow); Onion; Fresh ginger; Water; Fish sauce; Star anise pods; Cinnamon stick; Coriander seeds; Sugar; Dried flat rice noodles (pho noodles); Beef sirloin or flank steak; Fresh bean sprouts; Fresh mint leaves; Fresh cilantro leaves; Thai basil leaves; Limes; Fresh chilies

Aromatic Beef Pho with Rice Noodles and Herbs

An authentic Vietnamese pho that captures the fragrant essence of beef infused with star anise, served with fresh herbs and rice noodles.

3 h 20 min
4
Intermediate

Ingredients

For the Broth

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

Coriander seeds

1 teaspoon

Sugar

1 tablespoon

For the Noodles

Dried flat rice noodles (pho noodles)

8 oz

For the Beef

Beef sirloin or flank steak

1/2 lb, thinly sliced

For the Garnishes

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

Preparation

Marinating the Beef

Prepare Beef

Place beef slices in a bowl.

Season Beef

Season lightly with salt and pepper.

Refrigerate

Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

Preparing the Broth

Roast Bones

Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C). Arrange beef bones on a baking sheet and roast for 30 minutes.

Simmer Base

In a large pot, add roasted bones, onion, ginger, and water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 2 hours.

Skim the broth occasionally to remove impurities and ensure clarity.

Add Spices

Add fish sauce, star anise, cinnamon, coriander seeds, and sugar. Simmer for an additional hour.

Strain the broth through a fine sieve after simmering to ensure a smooth, clear base.

Cooking Process

Noodle Preparation

Cook rice noodles according to package instructions, then rinse with cold water and drain.

Assembling the Pho

Divide cooked noodles into bowls. Top with raw beef slices.

Finishing the Dish

Pour hot broth over the noodles and beef, cooking the meat gently in the broth's heat.

Plating & Serving