Pho
Pho, a beloved Vietnamese dish, is a hearty and aromatic noodle soup that has gained international acclaim for its complex flavors and comforting qualities. This iconic dish is a perfect blend of fragrant broth, tender rice noodles, and a variety of toppings that create a harmonious symphony of taste. Join us as we explore a top-rated recipe for Pho that will transport you to the vibrant streets of Vietnam.
Servings: 4
Ingredients
Ingredients
For the Broth:
- · 2 pounds beef bones such as oxtail or beef marrow bones
- · 1 onion halved
- · 2-inch piece of ginger sliced
- · 5-6 star anise pods
- · 2 cinnamon sticks
- · 3-4 cloves
- · 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
- · 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
- · 4-5 cardamom pods
- · 1 tablespoon sugar
- · 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- · Salt to taste
For the Pho:
- · 8 ounces rice noodles
- · 1 pound beef such as eye of round or flank steak, thinly sliced
- · 1 onion thinly sliced
- · 4-5 green onions chopped
- · Fresh cilantro chopped
- · Bean sprouts
- · Thai basil leaves
- · Lime wedges
- · Hoisin sauce optional
- · Sriracha or chili sauce optional
Instructions
Method
Step 1: Prepare the Broth
- Place the beef bones in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil and let it cook for about 5 minutes. This step helps remove impurities and ensures a clear broth.
- Drain the bones and rinse them under cold water to remove any remaining impurities.
- Fill the pot with fresh water, covering the bones completely.
- Add the halved onion and ginger slices to the pot.
- In a dry skillet, lightly toast the star anise, cinnamon sticks, cloves, coriander seeds, fennel seeds, and cardamom pods until fragrant. Add them to the pot.
- Add sugar, fish sauce, and salt to taste.
- Bring the pot to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Simmer for at least 4-6 hours, skimming off any impurities that rise to the surface. The longer you simmer, the more flavorful the broth will become.
- Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve, discarding the solids. Skim off any excess fat from the surface.
Step 2: Prepare the Pho
- Cook the rice noodles according to the package instructions, then drain and set aside.
- Thinly slice the beef and set it aside.
- Arrange the onion slices, green onions, cilantro, bean sprouts, Thai basil leaves, lime wedges, hoisin sauce, and sriracha or chili sauce on a serving platter.
Step 3: Assemble the Pho
- Divide the cooked rice noodles among serving bowls.
- Arrange a few slices of raw beef on top of the noodles.
- Ladle the hot broth over the beef and noodles, ensuring they are fully submerged.
- Let the heat of the broth cook the beef to your desired doneness.
- Garnish the Pho with your preferred toppings, such as onion slices, green onions, cilantro, bean sprouts, Thai basil leaves, and a squeeze of lime juice.
- Serve hot, allowing each person to add hoisin sauce and sriracha or chili sauce according to their taste preferences.
- Enjoy this steaming bowl of Pho, filled with rich and fragrant broth, tender rice noodles, and a medley of toppings that add freshness and depth to each spoonful. Let the flavors transport you to the vibrant streets of Vietnam, where the aroma of Pho fills the air and warms the soul.
Notes
Nutritional Information (Per 350-gram serving):
Number of portions: 4-6
· Calories: Approximately 350-400 kcal
· Protein: Approximately 20-25g
· Carbohydrates: Approximately 40-45g
· Fat: Approximately 10-12g
· Fiber: Approximately 2-3g
· Sodium: Approximately 800-1000mg (varies depending on the amount of fish sauce and salt used) Variation Options Vegetarian Pho: Substitute the beef broth with a vegetable broth or a combination of vegetable and mushroom broth. Instead of beef, add tofu or a variety of sautéed vegetables like mushrooms, bok choy, and carrots as toppings. Chicken Pho: Replace the beef bones with chicken bones and make a flavorful chicken broth instead. Use cooked chicken breast or thigh meat as a topping. Seafood Pho: Experiment with a seafood twist by using a fish or shrimp broth. Add cooked shrimp, fish fillets, or a combination of seafood to the broth. Vegan Pho: Create a vegan version by using vegetable broth, omitting the fish sauce, and adding umami-rich ingredients like soy sauce or tamari for flavor. Load up the bowl with an array of vegetables, tofu, or tempeh as toppings. Pho Ga: Explore the Vietnamese chicken noodle soup known as Pho Ga. Use a chicken broth, poached chicken breast, and an assortment of fresh herbs, bean sprouts, and lime wedges as toppings.
Number of portions: 4-6
· Calories: Approximately 350-400 kcal
· Protein: Approximately 20-25g
· Carbohydrates: Approximately 40-45g
· Fat: Approximately 10-12g
· Fiber: Approximately 2-3g
· Sodium: Approximately 800-1000mg (varies depending on the amount of fish sauce and salt used) Variation Options Vegetarian Pho: Substitute the beef broth with a vegetable broth or a combination of vegetable and mushroom broth. Instead of beef, add tofu or a variety of sautéed vegetables like mushrooms, bok choy, and carrots as toppings. Chicken Pho: Replace the beef bones with chicken bones and make a flavorful chicken broth instead. Use cooked chicken breast or thigh meat as a topping. Seafood Pho: Experiment with a seafood twist by using a fish or shrimp broth. Add cooked shrimp, fish fillets, or a combination of seafood to the broth. Vegan Pho: Create a vegan version by using vegetable broth, omitting the fish sauce, and adding umami-rich ingredients like soy sauce or tamari for flavor. Load up the bowl with an array of vegetables, tofu, or tempeh as toppings. Pho Ga: Explore the Vietnamese chicken noodle soup known as Pho Ga. Use a chicken broth, poached chicken breast, and an assortment of fresh herbs, bean sprouts, and lime wedges as toppings.
Pho
Pho, a beloved Vietnamese dish, is a hearty and aromatic noodle soup that has gained international acclaim for its complex flavors and comforting qualities. This iconic dish is a perfect blend of fragrant broth, tender rice noodles, and a variety of toppings that create a harmonious symphony of taste. Join us as we explore a top-rated recipe for Pho that will transport you to the vibrant streets of Vietnam.
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Servings: 4
Ingredients
Ingredients
For the Broth:
- · 2 pounds beef bones such as oxtail or beef marrow bones
- · 1 onion halved
- · 2-inch piece of ginger sliced
- · 5-6 star anise pods
- · 2 cinnamon sticks
- · 3-4 cloves
- · 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
- · 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
- · 4-5 cardamom pods
- · 1 tablespoon sugar
- · 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- · Salt to taste
For the Pho:
- · 8 ounces rice noodles
- · 1 pound beef such as eye of round or flank steak, thinly sliced
- · 1 onion thinly sliced
- · 4-5 green onions chopped
- · Fresh cilantro chopped
- · Bean sprouts
- · Thai basil leaves
- · Lime wedges
- · Hoisin sauce optional
- · Sriracha or chili sauce optional
Instructions
Method
Step 1: Prepare the Broth
- Place the beef bones in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil and let it cook for about 5 minutes. This step helps remove impurities and ensures a clear broth.
- Drain the bones and rinse them under cold water to remove any remaining impurities.
- Fill the pot with fresh water, covering the bones completely.
- Add the halved onion and ginger slices to the pot.
- In a dry skillet, lightly toast the star anise, cinnamon sticks, cloves, coriander seeds, fennel seeds, and cardamom pods until fragrant. Add them to the pot.
- Add sugar, fish sauce, and salt to taste.
- Bring the pot to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Simmer for at least 4-6 hours, skimming off any impurities that rise to the surface. The longer you simmer, the more flavorful the broth will become.
- Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve, discarding the solids. Skim off any excess fat from the surface.
Step 2: Prepare the Pho
- Cook the rice noodles according to the package instructions, then drain and set aside.
- Thinly slice the beef and set it aside.
- Arrange the onion slices, green onions, cilantro, bean sprouts, Thai basil leaves, lime wedges, hoisin sauce, and sriracha or chili sauce on a serving platter.
Step 3: Assemble the Pho
- Divide the cooked rice noodles among serving bowls.
- Arrange a few slices of raw beef on top of the noodles.
- Ladle the hot broth over the beef and noodles, ensuring they are fully submerged.
- Let the heat of the broth cook the beef to your desired doneness.
- Garnish the Pho with your preferred toppings, such as onion slices, green onions, cilantro, bean sprouts, Thai basil leaves, and a squeeze of lime juice.
- Serve hot, allowing each person to add hoisin sauce and sriracha or chili sauce according to their taste preferences.
- Enjoy this steaming bowl of Pho, filled with rich and fragrant broth, tender rice noodles, and a medley of toppings that add freshness and depth to each spoonful. Let the flavors transport you to the vibrant streets of Vietnam, where the aroma of Pho fills the air and warms the soul.
Notes
Nutritional Information (Per 350-gram serving):
Number of portions: 4-6
· Calories: Approximately 350-400 kcal
· Protein: Approximately 20-25g
· Carbohydrates: Approximately 40-45g
· Fat: Approximately 10-12g
· Fiber: Approximately 2-3g
· Sodium: Approximately 800-1000mg (varies depending on the amount of fish sauce and salt used) Variation Options Vegetarian Pho: Substitute the beef broth with a vegetable broth or a combination of vegetable and mushroom broth. Instead of beef, add tofu or a variety of sautéed vegetables like mushrooms, bok choy, and carrots as toppings. Chicken Pho: Replace the beef bones with chicken bones and make a flavorful chicken broth instead. Use cooked chicken breast or thigh meat as a topping. Seafood Pho: Experiment with a seafood twist by using a fish or shrimp broth. Add cooked shrimp, fish fillets, or a combination of seafood to the broth. Vegan Pho: Create a vegan version by using vegetable broth, omitting the fish sauce, and adding umami-rich ingredients like soy sauce or tamari for flavor. Load up the bowl with an array of vegetables, tofu, or tempeh as toppings. Pho Ga: Explore the Vietnamese chicken noodle soup known as Pho Ga. Use a chicken broth, poached chicken breast, and an assortment of fresh herbs, bean sprouts, and lime wedges as toppings.
Number of portions: 4-6
· Calories: Approximately 350-400 kcal
· Protein: Approximately 20-25g
· Carbohydrates: Approximately 40-45g
· Fat: Approximately 10-12g
· Fiber: Approximately 2-3g
· Sodium: Approximately 800-1000mg (varies depending on the amount of fish sauce and salt used) Variation Options Vegetarian Pho: Substitute the beef broth with a vegetable broth or a combination of vegetable and mushroom broth. Instead of beef, add tofu or a variety of sautéed vegetables like mushrooms, bok choy, and carrots as toppings. Chicken Pho: Replace the beef bones with chicken bones and make a flavorful chicken broth instead. Use cooked chicken breast or thigh meat as a topping. Seafood Pho: Experiment with a seafood twist by using a fish or shrimp broth. Add cooked shrimp, fish fillets, or a combination of seafood to the broth. Vegan Pho: Create a vegan version by using vegetable broth, omitting the fish sauce, and adding umami-rich ingredients like soy sauce or tamari for flavor. Load up the bowl with an array of vegetables, tofu, or tempeh as toppings. Pho Ga: Explore the Vietnamese chicken noodle soup known as Pho Ga. Use a chicken broth, poached chicken breast, and an assortment of fresh herbs, bean sprouts, and lime wedges as toppings.