Fourth-Day Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Beef Soup
A fragrant beef soup inspired by classic Vietnamese pho, simmered with spices and fresh herbs for a comforting bowl. This vietnamese-inspired soups ready in about 115 minutes pairs beef broth, whole star anise, (3-inch) cinnamon stick for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, cut into 1-inch pieces beef brisket or chuck
- 6 cups beef broth
- 2 whole star anise
- 1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick
- 2-inch piece, sliced ginger
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 6 oz rice noodles
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 1/4 cup leaves fresh basil
- 4 wedges lime wedges
- 3 sliced thin green onions
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, combine 1 lb beef brisket cut into 1-inch pieces with 6 cups beef broth, 2 whole star anise, 1 cinnamon stick (3-inch), and 2-inch sliced ginger. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low and simmer uncovered for 1.5 hours until beef is tender and broth is fragrant.
- Step 2: Remove star anise, cinnamon stick, and ginger slices from broth using a slotted spoon. Stir in 2 tbsp fish sauce and season with salt to taste.
- Step 3: Meanwhile, cook 6 oz rice noodles in boiling water for 5 minutes until tender, then drain. Divide noodles into 4 bowls and top with tender beef pieces and broth. Garnish each bowl with 1 cup bean sprouts, 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, 3 sliced green onions, and 1 lime wedge for squeezing before eating.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Fourth-Day Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Beef Soup take to make?
Total time is about 115 minutes (15 min prep + 100 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 Fourth-Day Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Beef 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 broth from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Fourth-Day Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Beef 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 Fourth-Day Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Beef 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 Fourth-Day Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Beef 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.
