Recipe video above. Experience the magic of one of the greatest soups in the world with this easy to follow traditional recipe! The depth of flavour in the broth will blow you away - it looks so clear and light but it's packed with flavour.Getting enough flavour and light-richness into the soup broth calls for the right combination of meat AND bones. You can't just use bones (even really meaty ones), the soup just lacks flavour. I tried multiple times. Use the leftover cooked brisket to make Caramelised Vietnamese Pulled Beef (it's so good!) and see in post for more ways to use it.Next time - try Chicken Pho! It's amazing, and quicker to make. :)
Prep time: PT20M
Cook time: PT180M
Total time: PT200M
4.99 stars (134 reviews)
beef pho, Pho, Pho recipe
- Heat a heavy based skillet over high heat (no oil) until smoking.
- Place onion and ginger in pan cut side down. Cook for a few minutes until it's charred, then turn. Remove and set aside.
- Toast Spices lightly in a dry skillet over medium high heat for 3 minutes.
- Rinse bones & brisket then cover with water in large stock pot.
- Boil for 5 minutes, then drain.
- Rinse each bone and brisket under tap water.
- Wipe pot clean, bring 3.5 litres / 3.75 quarts water to boil.
- Add bones and brisket, onion, ginger, Spices
- Add onion, ginger, Spices, sugar and salt - water should just barely cover everything.
- Cover with lid, simmer 3 hours.
- Remove brisket (should be fall-apart tender), cool then refrigerate for later.
- Simmer remaining soup UNCOVERED for 40 minutes.
- Strain broth into another pot, discard bones and spices. Should be about 2.5 litres / 2.65 quarts (10 cups), if loads more, reduce.
- Add fish sauce, adjust salt and sugar if needed. Broth should be beefy, fragrant with spices, savoury and barely sweet.
- Prepare rice noodles per packet, just prior to serving.
- Place noodles in bowl. Top with raw beef and brisket.
- Ladle over about 400 / 14 oz hot broth - will cook beef to medium rare.
- Serve with Toppings on the side!