Su's Vietnamese Beef Pho

beef bones

🥗Healthier: chicken bones

💰Cheaper: pork bones

Chicken bones provide a lighter broth, while pork bones are more affordable.

beef brisket

🥗Healthier: lean beef

💰Cheaper: chicken

Lean beef reduces fat content, and chicken is often less expensive.

fish sauce

🥗Healthier: soy sauce

💰Cheaper: salt

Soy sauce is a vegetarian alternative, while salt is a basic flavor enhancer.

rice noodles

🥗Healthier: zucchini noodles

💰Cheaper: pasta

Zucchini noodles are lower in carbs, while pasta is widely available.

Place the beef bones in a large stock pot, then add enough cold water to cover by 2 inches (5 cm). Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat and cook for 10 minutes to blanch the bones and remove any impurities.

Set a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat the broiler.

Drain the bones in a colander and rinse under cold running water. Return the blanched bones to the stockpot.

Meanwhile, arrange the ginger, garlic, and onions cut-side up on a rimmed baking sheet and broil on high until the aromatics are deeply charred in spots, 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and add to the stockpot with the bones.

Meanwhile, combine the cinnamon sticks, peppercorns, and star anise in a medium skillet over medium-high heat and toast, shaking the pan occasionally, until the spices are darkened in spots and extremely fragrant, about 5 minutes. Add the toasted spices to the stockpot.

Season the brisket liberally with salt and add it to the stockpot.

Fill the pot with enough cold water to cover everything by 1 inch (2 cm). Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium to maintain a gentle simmer, skimming off and discarding any fat that floats to the top as needed, until the brisket is fork-tender, 2-3 hours.

Using tongs, transfer the brisket to a plate and let cool completely. Refrigerate the brisket until ready to serve.

Continue to simmer the broth to get as much flavor out of the bones as possible, 3-4 hours more.

Using tongs, remove and discard the bones and aromatics. Slowly strain the broth through a fine mesh strainer set over a large pot. Skim and discard the fat from the broth, then stir in the fish sauce. Taste and add more as desired.

Thinly slice the brisket. Very thinly slice the raw sirloin steak against the grain.

Divide the noodles among 6-8 large bowls, then top with the brisket and raw steak. Ladle the hot broth over the noodles and meat and serve immediately with the bean sprouts, onion, jalapeño, Thai basil, lime wedges, hoisin sauce, and Sriracha alongside.

Enjoy!

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens