Sugar-Free Brisket Pho

Indulge in the comforting flavors of *Sugar-Free Brisket Pho*, a wholesome take on the classic Vietnamese soup that’s free from added sugars but packed with bold, aromatic goodness. This recipe features melt-in-your-mouth beef brisket simmered for hours in a fragrant broth infused with charred onion, ginger, and toasted warm spices like star anise, cinnamon, and cardamom. A light yet flavorful fish sauce seasoning enhances the umami richness, while rice noodles provide the perfect base. Served with a variety of fresh garnishes—think crisp bean sprouts, fragrant herbs, lime wedges, and spicy jalapeño slices—this pho is as customizable as it is heartwarming. Perfect for a nourishing family dinner or meal-prep staple, this sugar-free twist delivers all the depth and authenticity of traditional pho with none of the guilt.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:240 mins

Total Time:260 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 pounds beef brisket
• 1 large onion
• 4 inches fresh ginger
• 2 pods star anise
• 1 stick cinnamon stick
• 4 whole cloves
• 3 pods cardamom pods
• 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
• 3 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
• 14 ounces rice noodles
• 2 cups bean sprouts
• 1 bunch fresh basil
• 1 bunch fresh cilantro
• 2 whole lime
• 1 sliced jalapeño
• 12 cups water

Directions

Step 1

Start by preparing the brisket. Place it in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil over high heat and let it boil for 5 minutes to remove impurities. Then drain and rinse the brisket thoroughly.

Step 2

While the brisket is boiling, char the onion and ginger. Cut the onion in half and the ginger into pieces and char them over an open flame or in a broiler until blackened.

Step 3

In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the star anise, cinnamon stick, cloves, cardamom pods, and coriander seeds until fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 4

Return the brisket to the pot, along with the charred onion and ginger, toasted spices, fish sauce, salt, and peppercorns. Add 12 cups of water to the pot.

Step 5

Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Cook, covered, for 3 hours until the brisket is tender.

Step 6

Remove the brisket from the pot and set it aside to cool. Once cool, slice it thinly against the grain.

Step 7

Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve into another pot to remove solids, then return to heat and keep warm.

Step 8

Cook the rice noodles according to package instructions. Drain and divide the noodles among serving bowls.

Step 9

Add sliced brisket to the bowls of noodles and ladle the hot broth over the top.

Step 10

Serve hot with bean sprouts, fresh basil, cilantro, lime wedges, and sliced jalapeños on the side for garnish.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(4913.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2870.8

Total Fat 115.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 42.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.5g
Cholesterol 852.8mg	0%
Sodium 15424.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 170.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 26.4g	0%
Total Sugars 22.2g
Protein 291.6g	0%

Vitamin D 72.6IU	0%
Calcium 698.9mg	0%
Iron 37.9mg	0%
Potassium 4359.3mg	0%

*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: 36.0%

Protein: 40.4%

Carbs: 23.6%