Authentic Oxtail Pho Recipe

Name: Authentic Oxtail Pho
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: water to cover; 1 1/2 pounds beef oxtail, or to taste; 2 Spanish onions, peeled, divided; 1 tablespoon fish sauce, or to taste; 1 tablespoon whole star anise pods; 1 cinnamon stick; salt to taste; 3 tablespoons beef pho flavor paste; 2 bunches scallions, chopped; 1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped; 1 (16 ounce) package dried rice noodles, or to taste; 1 (12 ounce) package beef pho meatballs, halved, or to taste; 1/2 pound sirloin steak, thinly sliced, or to taste; 1 lime, cut into 8 wedges; 4 teaspoons white sugar, or to taste; 1 (8 ounce) package bean sprouts; 1 bunch Thai basil leaves, torn into bite-size pieces; 1 (2.8 ounce) can crispy fried shallots, or to taste

Servings: persons

water to cover
1 1/2 pounds beef oxtail, or to taste
2 Spanish onions, peeled, divided
1 tablespoon fish sauce, or to taste
1 tablespoon whole star anise pods
1 cinnamon stick
salt to taste
3 tablespoons beef pho flavor paste
2 bunches scallions, chopped
1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
1 (16 ounce) package dried rice noodles, or to taste
1 (12 ounce) package beef pho meatballs, halved, or to taste
1/2 pound sirloin steak, thinly sliced, or to taste
1 lime, cut into 8 wedges
4 teaspoons white sugar, or to taste
1 (8 ounce) package bean sprouts
1 bunch Thai basil leaves, torn into bite-size pieces
1 (2.8 ounce) can crispy fried shallots, or to taste

1
Bring water and oxtail to a boil in a pot. Skim the foam and oil off the surface. Add 1 onion, fish sauce, star anise, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in pho flavor paste; cover loosely with a lid. Reduce heat and simmer broth for at least 6 hours.
2
Cut the remaining onion in half and slice very thinly. Place in a bowl with scallions and cilantro.
3
Place noodles in a large bowl and rinse. Cover with warm water and let soak for 1 hour.
4
Drop meatballs into the soup 20 minutes before broth is done.
5
Bring a small saucepan of water to a boil. Drain noodles and dip into the boiling water for 30 seconds. Transfer noodles into 8 large bowls.
6
Top each bowl with sliced sirloin. Ladle in broth, meatballs, and oxtail. Taste and season as needed. Squeeze 1 or 2 lime wedges into each bowl and mix in 1/2 teaspoon sugar. Top with the cilantro-onion mixture, bean sprouts, basil, and shallots.

882

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Brown sugar instead of white sugar adds a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 18 ingredients. The key ingredients include: water to cover, 1 1/2 pounds beef oxtail, or to taste, 2 Spanish onions, peeled, divided, 1 tablespoon fish sauce, or to taste, and more.

Yes, Authentic Oxtail Pho falls under the Meat & Poultry category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Authentic Oxtail Pho

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions