Picture this: a chilly day, your favorite oversized sweater, and a steaming bowl of homemade pho that wraps you in a warm, aromatic embrace. Let me take you on this cozy culinary journey where vibrant herbs meet silky noodles, all nestled in a deeply fragrant broth that’s simply soul-soothing.
I adore fashioning recipes that whisk you off to faraway locales, and my Quick Beef Stovetop Pho is no exception. With a broth that’s fragrant with beef, star anise, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, and that’s filled with paper-thin slices of sirloin and swimming with rice noodles, this is a dish that’s an aromatic delight.
The fresh herbs, lime, and spicy jalapeños that garnish it transform the pho into a restorative dish I crave and can’t resist.
Quick Beef Stovetop Pho Recipe Ingredients
- Beef Broth: Rich in protein; hearty base flavor.
- Ginger Root: Anti-inflammatory; adds warmth.
- Star Anise: Sweet licorice aroma; enhances broth.
- Rice Noodles: Light; gluten-free carb source.
- Fish Sauce: Umami depth; saltiness enhancer.
- Soy Sauce: Savory; adds a salty touch.
- Cilantro Leaves: Freshness; rich in antioxidants.
- Limes: Zesty; rich in vitamin C.
- Hoisin Sauce: Sweet-savory balance; thick texture.
Quick Beef Stovetop Pho Recipe Ingredient Quantities
- 8 cups beef broth
- 1 onion, halved
- 1 ginger root, sliced
- 2 star anise
- 4 cloves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 lb beef sirloin, thinly sliced
- 8 oz rice noodles
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- Fresh basil leaves
- Fresh cilantro leaves
- Fresh mint leaves
- Bean sprouts
- 2 limes, cut into wedges
- Sliced green onions
- Sliced jalapeños
- Hoisin sauce
- Sriracha sauce
How to Make this Quick Beef Stovetop Pho Recipe
1. In a sizable saucepan, heat the beef broth until it’s simmering. In the broth, add half an onion, sliced ginger, star anise, cloves, and a cinnamon stick. Let the mixture simmer for 20-25 minutes to infuse the flavors.
2. Soak the rice noodles in hot water, as per the instructions on the packaging, while the broth is simmering. Once the broth is ready, place the noodles in the broth to heat through. Then, serve the noodles in deep bowls, topped with ladles of the rich, fragrant broth.
3. Following the simmering of the broth, the onion, ginger, star anise, cloves, and cinnamon stick are lifted out with a slotted spoon.
4. Add the soy sauce and fish sauce to the broth, and stir well. Adjust seasonings to taste, if necessary.
5. Distribute the finely cut beef sirloin among the bowls for serving.
6. Pour the piping hot broth over the beef in each bowl; the heat of the broth will finish cooking the slices of beef.
7. For every bowl, add a portion of rice noodles, not yet softened, so that they effectively fill the bottom of the bowl. Pour the broth over the top so that it seeps into the noodles and warms them up.
8. Top each bowl with fresh basil, cilantro, mint leaves, and bean sprouts.
9. Present with lime wedges and sliced, green onions and jalapeños on the side so that each person can personalize their own serving.
10. Provide to diners hoisin sauce and sriracha sauce. Let them adjust their bowls to taste.
Quick Beef Stovetop Pho Recipe Equipment Needed
1. Sizable saucepan
2. Slotted spoon
3. Ladle
4. Deep bowls
5. Cutting board
6. Knife
7. Measuring spoons
8. Tongs or chopsticks
9. Serving plates for sides
10. Small bowls for sauces
FAQ
- Can I use store-bought beef broth?Absolutely, it is a fine choice to use prepackaged beef broth from the grocery store. Just make sure to select a low-sodium version. This way, you can better manage the overall salt levels in your finished dish.
- How do I cook the rice noodles?Immerse the rice noodles in hot water for roughly 10-15 minutes until they are tender yet retain a slight firmness. Drain the noodles before incorporating them into the broth.
- What can I substitute for fish sauce?Soy sauce can stand in for fish sauce, but it will give the dish a different flavor. So if you absolutely can’t get your hands on fish sauce, use this instead, keeping in mind the taste profile will be slightly off.
- How do I slice the beef thinly?To achieve optimal outcomes, freeze the beef to some extent for approximately 30 minutes. This will firm it up and make it easier to cut into thin slices.
- Is it necessary to use all the herbs listed?Although not absolutely required, a mixture of basil, cilantro, and mint will give you the genuine, fresh, and aromatic taste that makes pho sing.
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Our mixture of broth simmered with spices, the marriage of flavors you get from the fresh herbs, and the richness of the meat are what make this pho as irresistible as it is.
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Here’s the basic method for making pho. - Can this recipe be made vegetarian?Certainly! When making a vegetarian version, just use vegetable broth and substitute the beef for tofu.
Quick Beef Stovetop Pho Recipe Substitutions and Variations
Broth from beef: If you want a broth with a completely different flavor, substitute with chicken broth or vegetable broth.
If fresh ginger is unavailable, use 1 teaspoon of ground ginger in its place.
Star anise: Use 1/4 teaspoon of fennel seeds or a dash of Chinese five-spice powder instead.
Soy sauce or tamari could be used for a similar umami flavor.
Noodles made from rice: As a substitute use thin spaghetti or spaghetti cut very short. These pasta alternatives can do the job.
Pro Tips
1. Broth Depth of Flavor To deepen the flavor of the broth, consider charring the onion and ginger before adding them to the broth to give a smoky undertone. This can be done over an open flame or by broiling them in the oven until charred.
2. Meat Slicing Tip For the beef sirloin, place it in the freezer for about 20 minutes before slicing. This will firm up the meat, making it easier to cut ultra-thin slices that will cook perfectly in the hot broth.
3. Noodle Texture Rather than soaking the rice noodles in hot water, you can briefly cook them in boiling water for 1-2 minutes until they are slightly tender but not fully cooked. This ensures they’ll absorb some of the broth’s flavor when added to the bowl.
4. Herb Preparation Tear the basil and mint leaves by hand rather than cutting them with a knife. This helps to release their essential oils for a fresher taste.
5. Enhanced Spice Profile For an extra kick, lightly toast the star anise, cloves, and cinnamon stick in a dry pan for a minute or two before adding them to the broth. This activates their essential oils, enhancing the overall aroma and flavor.
Quick Beef Stovetop Pho Recipe
My favorite Quick Beef Stovetop Pho Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Sizable saucepan
2. Slotted spoon
3. Ladle
4. Deep bowls
5. Cutting board
6. Knife
7. Measuring spoons
8. Tongs or chopsticks
9. Serving plates for sides
10. Small bowls for sauces
Ingredients:
- 8 cups beef broth
- 1 onion, halved
- 1 ginger root, sliced
- 2 star anise
- 4 cloves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 lb beef sirloin, thinly sliced
- 8 oz rice noodles
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- Fresh basil leaves
- Fresh cilantro leaves
- Fresh mint leaves
- Bean sprouts
- 2 limes, cut into wedges
- Sliced green onions
- Sliced jalapeños
- Hoisin sauce
- Sriracha sauce
Instructions:
1. In a sizable saucepan, heat the beef broth until it’s simmering. In the broth, add half an onion, sliced ginger, star anise, cloves, and a cinnamon stick. Let the mixture simmer for 20-25 minutes to infuse the flavors.
2. Soak the rice noodles in hot water, as per the instructions on the packaging, while the broth is simmering. Once the broth is ready, place the noodles in the broth to heat through. Then, serve the noodles in deep bowls, topped with ladles of the rich, fragrant broth.
3. Following the simmering of the broth, the onion, ginger, star anise, cloves, and cinnamon stick are lifted out with a slotted spoon.
4. Add the soy sauce and fish sauce to the broth, and stir well. Adjust seasonings to taste, if necessary.
5. Distribute the finely cut beef sirloin among the bowls for serving.
6. Pour the piping hot broth over the beef in each bowl; the heat of the broth will finish cooking the slices of beef.
7. For every bowl, add a portion of rice noodles, not yet softened, so that they effectively fill the bottom of the bowl. Pour the broth over the top so that it seeps into the noodles and warms them up.
8. Top each bowl with fresh basil, cilantro, mint leaves, and bean sprouts.
9. Present with lime wedges and sliced, green onions and jalapeños on the side so that each person can personalize their own serving.
10. Provide to diners hoisin sauce and sriracha sauce. Let them adjust their bowls to taste.