Quick Beef Pho
Ingredients
- 1 medium yellow onion
quartered, divided
- 1 can low-sodium beef broth
14.5 oz
- 1 can low-sodium chicken broth
14.5 oz
- 2 cups water
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 piece fresh ginger
thinly sliced, 1-inch
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 star anise pod
- 4 whole cloves
- 7 oz flat rice noodles
- 8 oz very thinly sliced beef
such as flat iron or flank steak
- to tasteSalt
- ½ cup bean sprouts
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
- Lime wedges
for serving
- Hoisin sauce and sriracha
for serving
Directions
- 1
Slice one of the onion quarters as thin as possible; set aside. In a large pot, bring the remaining 3 onion quarters, beef broth, chicken broth, water, fish sauce, ginger, cinnamon stick, sugar, star anise, and cloves to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes.
- 2
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Off the heat, add the noodles. Let sit, stirring regularly to prevent sticking, until the noodles are soft and pliable but still not tender, 5 to 10 minutes. Drain and rinse well with cold water. Set aside.
- 3
Over a large bowl, strain the broth through a fine mesh strainer. Discard the solids and pour the clear broth back into the pot. (Alternatively, you can use a fine mesh spider to fish out the solids.)
- 4
Bring the broth to a boil and add the noodles; cook until the noodles are just tender, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Using tongs or a spider, lift the noodles from the pot and divide evenly into bowls. Reduce the heat to a simmer and add the sliced beef to the broth; let simmer until no longer pink, about 1 minute. Using a slotted spoon or spider, remove the beef from the broth and divide between the bowls. Taste the broth and adjust the seasoning with salt, if necessary. Ladle the broth over the noodles and beef. Top each bowl with the reserved thinly sliced onions, bean sprouts, and cilantro (you may not need all of the onions). Pass the lime wedges, hoisin, and sriracha at the table.
- 5
Make-Ahead/Freezing Instructions: The broth can be made in advance and actually develops more flavor as it sits. Simply prepare the broth according to the recipe, allow it to cool, and then store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, reheat the broth to a simmer, then proceed with assembling your pho bowls with noodles, beef, and toppings.
Quick Beef Pho
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Based on 36 ratings
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About this Recipe
Craving the soul-warming comfort of authentic beef pho on a busy weeknight? This Quick Beef Pho recipe delivers deeply savory, satisfying flavors in just 45 minutes, bringing the beloved Vietnamese noodle soup experience right to your kitchen table.
What makes this recipe truly special is its clever approach to convenience. By combining readily available low-sodium beef and chicken broths with aromatic whole spices like star anise, cinnamon stick, and cloves, you can achieve a complex, restaurant-quality broth without hours of simmering. It’s a testament to how simple ingredients, thoughtfully combined, can yield extraordinary results.
Prepare for a truly aromatic and comforting culinary journey. You'll enjoy steaming bowls filled with slippery flat rice noodles, tender, paper-thin slices of beef, and a fragrant, umami-rich broth. The fresh crunch of bean sprouts, vibrant cilantro, and a bright squeeze of lime provide a delightful contrast, ensuring every spoonful is perfectly balanced. It’s a wonderfully healthy and convenient option for any busy weeknight meal.
This versatile Quick Beef Pho invites customization. While very thinly sliced flat iron or flank steak is a classic choice, you can easily substitute with other quick-cooking, tender cuts of beef. Feel free to explore other fresh herbs like Thai basil alongside the cilantro, or add a pinch of chili flakes to the broth for a subtle heat. If you're short on some whole spices, a quality pho spice blend can be a convenient alternative to achieve similar aromatic depths.
Serve this hearty Quick Beef Pho hot, inviting everyone to personalize their bowl with classic accompaniments like hoisin sauce, sriracha, and fresh lime wedges. It’s a complete and satisfying meal that’s perfect for cozy gatherings or a nourishing solo dinner.