Authentic Oxtail Pho
By Nadia Kovalenko
Posted July 4, 2026Share
Time
Calories
Servings
Difficulty
Description
Quick Tip Read the recipe in its entirety before you start cooking. This will help you understand the ingredients, steps, and timing involved, and allow you to prepare any necessary equipment or ingredients beforehand.
18
water to cover
1.5 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
0.5 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
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1
Step 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.)
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2
Step 2 (Cut the remaining onion in half and slice very thinly. Place in a bowl with scallions and cilantro.)
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3
Step 3 (Place noodles in a large bowl and rinse. Cover with warm water and let soak for 1 hour.)
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4
Step 4 (Drop meatballs into the soup 20 minutes before broth is done.)
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5
Step 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.)
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6
Step 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 0.5 teaspoon sugar. Top with the cilantro-onion mixture, bean sprouts, basil, and shallots.)
Nutrition Facts
Servings 8
Amount Per Serving
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Calories 567 kcal
% Daily Value *
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Total Fat 18g
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Saturated Fat 6g
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Cholesterol 92mg
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Sodium 744mg
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Total Carbohydrate 70g
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Dietary Fiber 5g
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Protein 30g
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
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