Pho Bo with Slow-Simmered Beef Bone Broth

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

A fragrant Vietnamese noodle soup featuring a rich, clear beef broth simmered with spices and tender slices of beef. This vietnamese-inspired soups ready in about 390 minutes pairs beef bones, large, halved onion, inch piece, halved lengthwise ginger for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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: 30 min Cook: 360 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place 3 lbs beef bones in a large stockpot with 12 cups water. Bring to a boil over high heat and boil for 10 minutes, then drain and rinse bones to remove impurities.
  2. Step 2: Add bones back to the pot with 12 cups fresh water, 1 large halved onion, 3-inch halved ginger, 4 star anise, 5 cloves, 1 cinnamon stick, and 3 cardamom pods. Simmer gently over low heat for 6 hours, skimming any foam every 30 minutes.
  3. Step 3: After 6 hours, strain broth through a fine mesh sieve into a clean pot. Add 1 tbsp rock sugar, 1 tbsp salt, and 1/4 cup fish sauce to the broth. Adjust seasoning to taste and keep warm.
  4. Step 4: Soak 8 oz pho rice noodles in warm water for 20 minutes, then drain. Bring a pot of water to boil and blanch noodles for 30 seconds until tender, then drain and divide into four serving bowls.
  5. Step 5: Arrange 8 oz thinly sliced beef sirloin on top of noodles. Ladle hot broth over beef and noodles; the heat will gently cook the beef.
  6. Step 6: Garnish each bowl with 2 sliced green onions, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, and serve with 1 cup bean sprouts, 1/2 cup Thai basil leaves, and lime wedges alongside. Offer hoisin sauce and sriracha as condiments.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Pho Bo with Slow-Simmered Beef Bone Broth take to make?

Total time is about 390 minutes (30 min prep + 360 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 Pho Bo with Slow-Simmered Beef Bone Broth?

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 Pho Bo with Slow-Simmered Beef Bone Broth?

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 Pho Bo with Slow-Simmered Beef Bone Broth 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 Pho Bo with Slow-Simmered Beef Bone Broth?

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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