Authentic Vietnamese Pho Bo (Beef Noodle Soup)
A fragrant, bone-broth-based soup with tender beef, rice noodles, and fresh herbs for a comforting, umami-rich bowl. This vietnamese-inspired asian ready in about 40 minutes pairs beef bones, sliced onion, sliced ginger for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 200g beef bones
- 1/2, sliced onion
- 1 tbsp, sliced ginger
- 2 pieces star anise
- 1/2 inch cinnamon stick
- 3 cloves, smashed garlic
- 200ml coconut milk
- 1 cup, soaked rice noodles
- 100g, cubed beef shank
- 1/4 cup, torn fresh basil
- 1, cut into wedges lime
- to taste sriracha
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, simmer beef bones, onion, ginger, star anise, cinnamon, and garlic for 2 hours until broth is rich and golden.
- Step 2: Add coconut milk and beef shank. Simmer for 1 hour until beef is tender.
- Step 3: Cook rice noodles in boiling water until al dente, then drain.
- Step 4: Ladle broth into bowls, top with noodles, beef, and fresh basil. Serve with lime wedges and sriracha on the side.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Authentic Vietnamese Pho Bo (Beef Noodle Soup) take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Authentic Vietnamese Pho Bo (Beef Noodle Soup)?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep beef bones from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Authentic Vietnamese Pho Bo (Beef Noodle Soup)?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Authentic Vietnamese Pho Bo (Beef Noodle Soup) for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Authentic Vietnamese Pho Bo (Beef Noodle Soup)?
Vietnamese asian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Simple and delicious.
- ★★★☆☆
Not bad. Would need significant modifications to make it a regular.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
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