Heart-Healthy Brisket Pho

Savor the comforting warmth of Heart-Healthy Brisket Pho, a nutritious twist on the classic Vietnamese favorite. Crafted with lean beef brisket and infused with fragrant spices like cinnamon, star anise, and cloves, this pho brings a rich, aromatic broth to life while keeping sodium and fat in check, thanks to low-sodium beef broth and a focus on fresh, wholesome ingredients. Charred onion and ginger add depth, while toppings like fresh basil, cilantro, crunchy bean sprouts, and zesty lime brighten each bowl. Quick to prep but slow-simmered for ultimate flavor, this heart-smart dish is perfect for a health-conscious take on a soul-soothing classic.

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:180 mins

Total Time:210 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound lean beef brisket
• 8 ounces rice noodles
• 1 large onion
• 3 inches fresh ginger root
• 1 whole cinnamon stick
• 2 whole star anise
• 3 whole cloves
• 8 cups low-sodium beef broth
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
• 3 stalks green onions
• 0.5 cup fresh basil
• 0.5 cup fresh cilantro
• 1 whole lime
• 1 cup bean sprouts
• 1 sliced jalapeño pepper

Directions

Step 1

Place the lean beef brisket in a large pot and cover it with water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes to remove impurities. Drain and rinse the brisket under cold water. Set aside.

Step 2

While the brisket is boiling, peel and halve the onion and ginger. Place them directly on a gas flame or under a broiler to char on both sides. This takes about 10 minutes.

Step 3

In a large, clean pot, combine the charred onion and ginger, cinnamon stick, star anise, cloves, low-sodium beef broth, fish sauce, brown sugar, salt, and black peppercorns. Add the brisket back to the pot.

Step 4

Bring the contents to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer uncovered for about 2 hours, until the brisket is tender.

Step 5

Remove the brisket from the pot, let it cool slightly, and slice it thinly across the grain.

Step 6

Strain the broth through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into another pot to remove the solids, ensuring a clear broth.

Step 7

In a separate pot, cook the rice noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Step 8

To serve, divide the cooked noodles among serving bowls. Place slices of the brisket on top of the noodles.

Step 9

Pour the hot broth over the noodles and brisket in each bowl.

Step 10

Garnish with sliced green onions, fresh basil, fresh cilantro, lime wedges, bean sprouts, and jalapeño slices. Serve immediately and enjoy your heart-healthy brisket pho.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	3109.6 grams (3109.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1745

Total Fat 71.60g	92%
Saturated Fat 25.90g	130%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.10g
Cholesterol 381mg	127%
Sodium 6871mg	299%
Total Carbohydrate 121.50g	44%
Dietary Fiber 16.30g	58%
Total Sugars 20.30g
Protein 158.70g	317%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 422mg	32%
Iron 22mg	121%
Potassium 3440mg	73%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 36.5%

Protein: 36.0%

Carbs: 27.5%