The Best Homemade Pho Recipe

What You’ll Love About This Recipe

Making pho at home is easier than you think, and the results are totally worth it. You’ll love how this recipe brings the traditional flavors of Vietnam right to your kitchen, with a few simple steps. The rich, savory broth is packed with warmth, and customizable toppings let everyone make it their own. Plus, it’s perfect for meal prep, so you can enjoy it all week long. Finally, your house will smell amazing, and you’ll feel like a true chef pulling off this classic dish.

Recipe

Pho is a traditional Vietnamese noodle soup known for its aromatic broth and flavorful ingredients. Making it at home takes time, but the result is deeply satisfying and worth the effort.

Ingredients

For the broth:

• 2 lbs beef bones (marrow or knuckle bones)
• 1 lb beef brisket or chuck
• 1 onion, halved
• 1-inch piece of ginger, halved
• 3 star anise pods
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 cloves
• 1 cardamom pod
• 1 tbsp coriander seeds
• 1 tbsp fennel seeds
• 1 tbsp salt
• 2 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tbsp sugar

For serving:

• 8 oz rice noodles
• Thinly sliced raw beef (eye of round or sirloin)
• Bean sprouts
• Fresh herbs (cilantro, Thai basil)
• Lime wedges
• Sliced jalapeños
• Hoisin sauce and sriracha (optional)

Instructions

1. Char the onion and ginger: Place them over an open flame or under a broiler until blackened.
2. Toast the spices: In a dry pan, toast star anise, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, coriander, and fennel seeds until fragrant.
3. Simmer the broth: Add beef bones and brisket to a large pot of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Skim off impurities. Add charred onion, ginger, toasted spices, salt, fish sauce, and sugar. Simmer for 3-4 hours.
4. Prepare the noodles: Cook rice noodles according to package instructions. Rinse with cold water and drain.
5. Assemble the bowls: Slice the cooked brisket thinly. Place noodles, sliced brisket, and raw beef slices in bowls. Ladle hot broth over the top.
6. Serve with bean sprouts, herbs, lime wedges, jalapeños, and sauces on the side.

Notes

• For a clearer broth, simmer gently and skim impurities often.
• Adjust seasoning with fish sauce or sugar to taste.

Equipment

• Large stockpot
• Fine mesh strainer
• Tongs
• Skimmer

Time

Prep time: 30 minutes

Cooking time: 4 hours

Cuisine

Vietnamese

Serving

Serves 4

Nutrition

Pho is a nutritious Vietnamese soup that’s packed with protein and essential vitamins. Here’s the breakdown of its nutritional content per serving.

What To Serve With It

A bowl of pho is already packed with flavor, but I love serving it with fresh herbs like Thai basil and cilantro, plus crunchy bean sprouts for extra texture. Crispy Vietnamese side dishes, like spring rolls or fried shallots, add a fun contrast to the rich broth. Trust me, these simple additions make the meal feel complete without stealing the spotlight from your homemade pho.

Fresh Herbs and Sprouts

When I make pho at home, I always make sure to have a big plate of fresh herbs and sprouts ready to go—it’s what takes the dish to the next level. I pile on Thai basil, cilantro, and mint, their bright flavors cutting through the rich broth. Bean sprouts add crunch, while lime wedges bring a zesty kick. Sometimes I throw in sliced jalapeños for heat, but that’s optional. The best part? You can customize your bowl however you like. Just tear the herbs, squeeze the lime, and dig in—it’s the freshest way to enjoy pho.

Crispy Vietnamese Side Dishes

If you’re looking to add some crunch to your pho meal, crispy Vietnamese side dishes are just the thing. I love serving cha gio (crispy spring rolls) or banh xeo (savory pancakes) alongside my bowl—they’re golden, crunchy, and packed with flavor. Don’t forget banh trang nuong, grilled rice paper topped with egg and scallions, which adds a fun, crackly texture. These sides balance pho’s rich broth perfectly, and dipping them in nuoc cham sauce ties everything together. Trust me, once you try them, you’ll wonder how you ever ate pho without that extra crunch!