Yes, you can make pho broth in a slow cooker (crockpot), and it's a convenient method that allows you to achieve a rich and flavorful broth with minimal effort. Here's a basic recipe for making pho broth in a slow cooker:
Ingredients:
- 2-3 pounds of beef bones (such as oxtail, knuckle, or marrow bones)
- 1 large onion, halved
- 3-4-inch piece of ginger, sliced (no need to peel)
- 3-4 cloves of garlic, crushed
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 5-6 star anise pods
- 4-5 cloves
- 1 cardamom pod (optional)
- 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
- 1 tablespoon fennel seeds
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/4 cup fish sauce
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 10 cups water
Optional spices and herbs (adjust to taste):
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- 1 bunch of cilantro stems
- 2-3 stalks of lemongrass, bruised
- 1 small piece of cinnamon bark
Instructions:
In a dry pan, toast the cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves, cardamom (if using), coriander seeds, and fennel seeds over medium heat for a couple of minutes until they become fragrant. This step helps release their flavors.
Add the toasted spices, halved onion, sliced ginger, crushed garlic, and optional additional spices and herbs to the slow cooker.
In the same pan, add the beef bones and sear them on all sides until lightly browned. This step enhances the broth's depth of flavor.
Place the seared beef bones in the slow cooker on top of the spices and aromatics.
Add the sugar, fish sauce, and soy sauce to the slow cooker.
Pour in the water to cover the bones and spices completely.
Set the slow cooker to low heat and let the broth simmer for 8 to 24 hours. The longer it cooks, the richer and more flavorful the broth will become.
Occasionally skim off any impurities that rise to the surface of the broth during the cooking process.
After the desired cooking time, strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove the solids. Discard the solids, and you'll be left with a delicious pho broth.
Taste the broth and adjust the seasoning with more fish sauce or soy sauce if needed.
Now you have a flavorful pho broth ready to use. You can serve it as is with cooked rice noodles, thinly sliced beef, and your choice of toppings (e.g., bean sprouts, basil, lime wedges, and sliced chilies) to make a comforting bowl of homemade pho.