Flaming Pho

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 2 hours
🍽 Serves: 4
★★★★★
Be the First to Review!

This Flaming Pho recipe is a bold twist on the classic Vietnamese dish, perfect for those chilly evenings when you're craving something warm and spicy. With a rich broth and an array of fresh toppings, this dish is both comforting and exciting.

Ingredients for Flaming Pho

The foundation of this dish is a robust broth made from beef bones that provides a rich depth of flavor. Onion and ginger add a touch of sweetness and warmth, especially when roasted. The star anise, cloves, and cinnamon stick infuse the broth with their distinctive, aromatic spices. Fish sauce and soy sauce bring umami and a hint of saltiness to balance everything out. Rice noodles serve as a hearty base, while beef sirloin provides tender, meaty slices. Fresh red chilies introduce heat, and bean sprouts, fresh basil leaves, and cilantro add a refreshing crunch and herbal notes. Don't forget the lime wedges for a zesty finish.

Tips & Tricks

  • For extra depth, you can roast the beef bones before adding them to the broth.
  • Use a mandoline for paper-thin beef slices — the thinner, the better!
  • Adjust the chili quantity based on your heat preference. You can even serve them on the side for individual control.
  • If you’re short on time, a pressure cooker can significantly cut down the broth preparation time.

Serving Suggestions

This Flaming Pho is a meal in itself, but you can pair it with a light Vietnamese salad to complement its bold flavors. For a beverage, consider a chilled jasmine tea or a crisp lager to balance the spiciness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make the broth ahead of time?
Yes! The broth can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Just reheat before serving.
What if I don't have beef bones?
You can substitute with a good quality beef broth, though the flavor won't be as deep.
Can I use chicken instead of beef?
Absolutely, chicken can be a lighter alternative. Swap the beef broth and bones for chicken-based ingredients.

Flaming Pho Recipe Walkthrough

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F. Place the halved onion and sliced ginger on a baking sheet. Pop them in the oven and roast until they’re nicely charred, which should take about 15 minutes. This step deepens their flavors, giving them a lovely caramelized edge.

While those are roasting, take a large pot and combine the beef broth, beef bones, and your soon-to-be-charred onion and ginger. Add in the star anise, cloves, and cinnamon stick. Bring this mix to a gentle simmer and let it cook for about 2 hours. This is where all those wonderful flavors meld together.

Once your broth is ready, strain it to remove the solids, leaving you with a fragrant liquid gold. Pour it back into the pot and stir in the fish sauce and soy sauce. Taste and season with salt and pepper to your liking.

Next, prepare the rice noodles according to the package instructions. Once they’re cooked, drain and set them aside. You’ll want these ready to go when serving.

Now, it’s time to assemble. In serving bowls, arrange the thinly sliced beef sirloin, fresh red chilies, bean sprouts, basil, and cilantro. Pour the hot broth over the top. The heat will gently cook the beef to tender perfection. Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side for squeezing over just before eating.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Intense, aromatic broth with deep flavors.
  • Customizable heat level to suit your taste.
  • Perfect balance of savory, spicy, and fresh.
  • Impressive meal that’s surprisingly easy to make at home.

Ingredients

8 cups beef broth
2 lbs beef bones
1 large onion, halved
3-inch piece of ginger, sliced
5 star anise
4 cloves
1 cinnamon stick
2 tbsp fish sauce
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 lb rice noodles
1 lb beef sirloin, thinly sliced
4 fresh red chilies, sliced
1 cup bean sprouts
1 bunch fresh basil leaves
1 bunch fresh cilantro
1 lime, cut into wedges
Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Roast the onion and ginger in a preheated oven at 400°F until charred.
2. In a large pot, combine beef broth, beef bones, roasted onion, roasted ginger, star anise, cloves, and cinnamon stick. Simmer for 2 hours.
3. Strain the broth to remove solids and return the liquid to the pot.
4. Add fish sauce and soy sauce to the broth, adjusting the seasoning with salt and pepper.
5. Cook rice noodles according to package instructions and set aside.
6. Arrange the beef slices, fresh chilies, bean sprouts, basil, and cilantro in bowls.
7. Pour hot broth over the ingredients in each bowl, cooking the beef slices to your liking.
8. Serve immediately with lime wedges.

Ratings and Comments

Thank you for your rating!