Vietnamese-Inspired Beef Pho with Star Anise and Cinnamon

A simplified home version inspired by Vietnamese pho; not a claim of traditional preparation.

Servings: 4   Approximate total time: 100 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1.5 L low-sodium beef stock
  • 1 onion, halved
  • 5 cm fresh ginger, sliced
  • 3 whole TAAM star anise pods
  • 1 TAAM Saigon cinnamon stick
  • 3 cloves
  • 2 tbsp fish sauce
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 300 g thinly sliced beef sirloin
  • 250 g dry rice noodles
  • Bean sprouts, Thai basil, lime and sliced chili to serve

Instructions

  1. Char onion and ginger in a dry pan for 5 minutes. Toast star anise, cinnamon and cloves for 1 minute until fragrant.
  2. Add beef stock, onion, ginger and spices to a pot. Simmer gently for 60 minutes.
  3. Strain broth; discard solids. Season with fish sauce and sugar.
  4. Cook rice noodles according to package directions and divide among four bowls.
  5. Add thin beef slices to the hot broth and simmer until fully cooked, then ladle beef and broth over noodles.
  6. Serve with bean sprouts, basil, lime and chili. Remove whole spices before serving.

Shop the spices in this recipe

Photo is a representative food photograph, not a photograph of a TAAM-tested preparation.