Step 1 of 6
Phở bò
Cover bones in cold water, bring to a boil, 5 minutes, then dump and rinse. This is the clean-broth cheat. Refill with 4 litres cold water.
Questions about this dish
Answers taken from this dish's times, amounts, swaps and tips — not a chatbot.
How long does Phở bò take?
4 hr all in — 30 min prep, 3 hr 30 min cook. That is the time on this recipe, not a guess.
How many does it serve?
The recipe is written for 6 bowls. Scale the ingredient list on the page if you are cooking for a different number.
How hard is it?
A bit of work.
How spicy is it?
Mild.
What allergens should I watch?
This recipe is labelled for Fish. Labels are informational — check the packets in your kitchen. This is not medical advice.
Does it fit a diet?
The published recipe is labelled Dairy-free.
What does it cost to cook?
A bit special — about $16–28 USD, as a grocery budget for this recipe, not a restaurant price.
What equipment do I need?
Stockpot, Saucepan.
How much salt do I put in?
The recipe lists Salt at 1 tsp.
How much fish sauce?
3 tbsp of Fish sauce.
How much sugar?
1 tsp (optional) of Sugar.
What can I use instead?
Beef bones → A mix of oxtail and marrow bones. Richer, still correct. Brisket → Flank plus last-minute raw eye of round. The raw slices cook in the bowl. Slice it thinner than you think.
Any tips from this recipe?
Star anise is perfume. Three is plenty for this pot. The herb plate is part of the recipe. Skipping it is how phở becomes 'beef noodle soup from nowhere'.
Can I use an air fryer?
This method is not written for an air fryer. The core technique on the page still applies.