I have found the perfect Beef Pho Recipe! The Crockpot or Slow Cooker makes the most amazing broth which is the highlight of this Slow Cooker Beef Pho.
My new favorite use for my crockpot or slow cooker is making pho. I adore the complex flavors of a good pho broth and the slow cooker provides that nice and even all day heat that is perfect.
I've made it my mission to try as many pho recipes as possible and settle on a favorite. Hey, it's a hard job, but someone has to do it.
Not only does it make a great beef pho, but you have to try my Slow Cooker Pho with Chicken too!
After much searching and googling I settled on a Slow Cooker with Eye of Round from Serious Eats as my starting point. The first deviation I made was that instead of oxtails, I had meaty soup bones.
Then instead of boiling the bones, I placed them on the baking sheet with the onions and ginger and let them get nice and brown for another layer of flavor.
You can skip that extra roasting step if you want, but it really does add some wonderful extra flavor. You know that I almost always skip the extra steps, so if I say do it, that means it's really good!
The other deviation was that instead of eye of round, I used a London broil very thinly sliced. I love that hot broth cooks the beef for you.
Unfortunately my grocery store has stopped selling fresh bean sprouts and I didn't have enough time to sprout my own, so I had to used canned.
Not nearly as good as fresh, but will do in a pinch. This was warm, comforting and full of flavor!
More Slow Cooker Recipes
Recipe
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Slow Cooker Beef Pho
Ingredients
- 2 ½ pounds beef bones or oxtails
- ½ white onion
- 3 inch piece fresh ginger peeled
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 teaspoons coriander seeds
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 5 whole star anise
- 5 whole cloves
- 1 whole cardamom pod
- 9 cups of water
- 1 ½ tablespoons beef base such as Better Than Bullion (I didn't use)
- 1 ½ tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Kosher salt
- 1 pound dried rice noodles
- ½ pound raw eye of round steak sliced paper-thin
- ½ red onion very thinly sliced
For serving:
- 2 limes cut into wedges
- 1 bunch cilantro cleaned
- 1 bunch Thai or Italian basil
- 1 bunch mint
- 2 jalapeños 6 Thai Bird chiles thinly sliced
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- Sriracha
- Hoisin sauce
Instructions
- Preheat broiler to high.
- Place beef bones, onion, and ginger on foil lined baking sheet. Broil until everything has a nice char, about 8 minutes. Place beef, onion, and ginger in slow cooker.
- Saute the cinnamon, coriander seeds, fennel seeds, star anise, cloves and cardamom pods in a dry skillet over medium high heat until toasted and frangrant. Place in a cheesecloth square and tie up. Add the spice package, the water, beef base, fish sauce, sugar and 1 teaspoon of salt in slow cooker. Cook on low for 8-10 hours.
- When you are about ready to eat, cook the noodles per directions leaving them al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water and place in serving bowls. Remove bones and spices from broth and skim off any scum if necessary. Taste and adjust seasonings.
- Place thin slices of beef and red onions slices on top of noodles. Ladle over the hot broth. Serve with condiments.
Linda says
This is one of the best meals I’ve ever had. It takes a lot of ingredients, but it doesn’t take a lot of fussing. I’ve printed it out, sent it to a few friends and pinned it. Give it a try.
Aleka says
I LOVE a good pho! I have never tried to make it at home but I am going to try this one!!!! I love how you browned your meet befoare. Annoying step for some but so worth it in my opinion! Such good flavors. Will try it this weekend!!!
Pam Greer says
You'll have to let me know what you think of it!
Brian Jones says
That looks and sounds delicious, the thought of using oxtail to make the broth is making me drool 😀
Ivana at Blondie-ish at Kitchen says
I looks very delicious, I love the combination of different spices with beef as well as mint and basil, it must be amazing!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
This sounds marvelous, I love the flavor profile!
Ann says
If you ever get the chance to visit Sydney, you'll find the best Pho in Cabramatta.
Chava says
I've been curious about how the slow cooker would hold up for pho. Yours looks great--I'll have to give a shot.
Lauren Gaskill | Making Life Sweet says
A beautiful pho!! Pinning!
nicole @ I am a Honey Bee says
I have to make this!
I've always been too intimidated to make Pho before.
This sounds awesome!
Christie says
I grew up eating oxtail soup - I can't wait to try this out!
Create With Joy says
This looks like just what I need today - wish I had some in my kitchen right now!
Thanks for sharing at Inspire Me Monday and congrats - you're one of our Featured Guests for Week #209!
Miz Helen says
I just love that this awesome dish is prepared in the Slow Cooker! Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and Happy New Year!
Miz Helen
Joy @ Joy Love Food says
I love a good bowl of pho, this slow cooker version sounds wonderful! Thanks for sharing at What'd You Do This Weekend? Wishing you and your family a very Happy New Year!
Linda Sue says
Wow. This is making me hungry. I want to try this, but my favorite would be with chicken. Can you just substitute chicken for the beef?
Ellen Pilch says
That looks great. I may try that for my Chinese New Year party.
Carol Borchardt says
Looks and sounds heavenly! I've never had pho but this makes me want to make it very soon. So perfect for a cold winter day.
Carlee says
Oh my goodness, that looks wonderful! Perfect for this cold and windy weather we have been having!