How to Make Homemade Pho (Authentic)

  • 4 pounds beef soup bones (shank and knee)
  • 1 medium onion, unpeeled and cut in half
  • 5 slices fresh ginger
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 2 pods star anise
  • 2 ½ tablespoons fish sauce
  • 4 quarts water
  • 1 (8 ounce) package dried rice noodles
  • 1 ½ pounds beef top sirloin, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup chopped cilantro
  • 1 tablespoon chopped green onion
  • 1 ½ cups bean sprouts
  • 1 bunch Thai basil
  • 1 medium lime, cut into 4 wedges
  • ¼ cup hoisin sauce (Optional)
  • ¼ cup chile-garlic sauce (such as Sriracha®) (Optional)

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Place beef bones on a baking sheet and roast in the preheated oven until browned, about 1 hour. Place onion halves on a second baking sheet and roast on another rack until blackened and soft, about 45 minutes. Transfer beef bones and onion halves to a large stockpot. Add ginger, salt, star anise, fish sauce, and 4 quarts water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 6 to 10 hours. Strain the broth into a saucepan and set aside. Place rice noodles in a large bowl filled with room temperature water. Let soak for 1 hour. Drain. When noodles have soaked for 1 hour, heat up the reserved broth by bringing it to a simmer. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the noodles in the boiling water for 1 minute. Drain. Divide noodles among 4 serving bowls; top with sirloin, cilantro, and green onion. Ladle hot broth over the top. Stir and let sit until beef is partially cooked and no longer pink, 1 to 2 minutes. Serve with bean sprouts, Thai basil, lime wedges, hoisin sauce, and chile-garlic sauce on the side.

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