Pho Bo Slow-Simmered Beef Noodle Soup

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-18 · Updated 2026-06-18

A warming bowl of Vietnamese beef noodle soup with aromatic spices and tender slices of beef, perfect for a comforting meal. This Vietnamese-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 405 minutes, pairs beef bones, onion, ginger for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 6, 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

• 3 lbs beef bones
• 1 large, halved onion
• 3-inch piece, sliced ginger
• 4 whole star anise
• 5 whole cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 3 cardamom pods
• 1/4 cup fish sauce
• 1 tbsp rock sugar
• 1 tbsp salt
• 14 oz, flat rice noodles
• 8 oz, thinly sliced beef sirloin
• 3 stalks, chopped green onions
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 cup bean sprouts
• 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
• 4 lime wedges
• to taste sliced chili

The stock pot we’d simmer this in → Best Stock Pots for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 450°F. Place 3 lbs beef bones on a baking sheet and roast for 30 minutes until browned, turning once halfway through.
2. Step 2: Transfer roasted bones to a large stockpot. Add 1 large halved onion and 3-inch sliced ginger (both charred over an open flame or broiler until blackened), 4 star anise, 5 cloves, 1 cinnamon stick, and 3 cardamom pods. Cover with 5 quarts water and bring to a boil over high heat.
3. Step 3: Lower heat to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for 6 hours, skimming foam and impurities every 30 minutes. Add 1/4 cup fish sauce, 1 tbsp rock sugar, and 1 tbsp salt during the last hour.
4. Step 4: Soak 14 oz flat rice noodles in hot water for 20 minutes or cook according to package instructions until tender, then drain.
5. Step 5: To serve, divide noodles into bowls and top with 8 oz thinly sliced raw beef sirloin. Ladle the hot broth over the beef to gently cook it.
6. Step 6: Garnish with 3 chopped green onions, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 1 cup bean sprouts, 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, lime wedges, and sliced chili as desired.