Pho Broth Simmered Beef Noodle Soup
A fragrant Vietnamese noodle soup featuring slow-simmered beef broth infused with star anise and cinnamon, served with tender beef slices and fresh herbs. This Vietnamese-inspired soup recipe, ready in about 220 minutes, pairs beef bones, water, onion 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.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef bones
- 12 cups water
- 1 large, halved onion
- 3-inch piece, halved lengthwise ginger
- 4 whole star anise
- 1 stick cinnamon stick
- 4 whole cloves
- 2 whole cardamom pods
- 1/4 cup fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon rock sugar
- 8 ounces rice noodles (pho noodles)
- 8 ounces, thinly sliced sirloin beef
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
- 4 wedges lime wedges
- 1 small sliced jalapeño
- 2 stalks, thinly sliced scallions
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large stockpot, add 2 pounds beef bones and 12 cups water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove foam and impurities with a ladle to keep broth clear.
- Step 2: Char 1 large halved onion and 3-inch halved ginger over an open flame or in a dry skillet until blackened, about 5 minutes; add these along with 4 star anise, 1 cinnamon stick, 4 cloves, and 2 cardamom pods to the pot. Simmer uncovered on low heat for 3 hours.
- Step 3: Add 1/4 cup fish sauce and 1 tablespoon rock sugar to the broth, stirring until sugar dissolves. Strain broth through a fine sieve into a clean pot and keep hot.
- Step 4: Soak 8 ounces rice noodles in warm water for 20 minutes, then boil in water for 2 minutes until tender but firm. Drain and divide noodles into 4 bowls.
- Step 5: Arrange 8 ounces thinly sliced sirloin beef on top of noodles. Ladle the hot broth over the beef and noodles; the heat will cook the beef slices.
- Step 6: Serve with 1 cup bean sprouts, 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, 4 lime wedges, 1 small sliced jalapeño, 2 thinly sliced scallions, and 1/4 cup chopped cilantro on the side for garnish and customization.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pho Broth Simmered Beef Noodle Soup take to make?
Total time is about 220 minutes (30 min prep + 190 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 Broth Simmered 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 Pho Broth Simmered 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 Pho Broth Simmered 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 Pho Broth Simmered 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.
