Five-Spice Beef Noodle Soup

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A quick and aromatic soup inspired by Vietnamese pho, featuring ground beef, rice noodles, and a fragrant five-spice blend. This vietnamese-inspired soups ready in about 30 minutes pairs ground beef, vegetable oil, large, thinly sliced (1.5 cups) onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 12 oz ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon, for 5 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Add 1.5 cups thinly sliced onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger. Cook for 3 minutes until fragrant, stirring constantly.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp five-spice powder, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tbsp rice vinegar. Cook for 1 minute until the spices are aromatic.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 4 cups beef broth and bring to a simmer. Add 8 oz rice noodles and cook for 6 minutes until tender.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 2 cups shredded cabbage and cook for 3 minutes until crisp-tender. Remove from heat.
  6. Step 6: Serve hot with 2 sliced green onions and lime wedges on the side.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Five-Spice Beef Noodle Soup take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 Five-Spice 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 ground beef from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Five-Spice 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 Five-Spice Beef Noodle Soup for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Five-Spice Beef Noodle Soup?

Vietnamese soups 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.

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