Pho-Inspired Beef and Rice Noodle Soup

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-11 · Updated 2026-05-11

A fragrant bowl of clear broth infused with warm spices, tender slices of beef, and silky rice noodles for a comforting Vietnamese noodle soup experience. This vietnamese-inspired beef ready in about 210 minutes pairs beef bones, large, halved onion, inch piece, sliced ginger for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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

• 2 lbs beef bones
• 1 large, halved onion
• 3-inch piece, sliced ginger
• 3 whole star anise
• 2 sticks cinnamon sticks
• 4 whole cloves
• 3 pods cardamom pods
• 12 cups water
• 1/4 cup fish sauce
• 1 tbsp rock sugar
• 8 oz, dried rice noodles
• 8 oz, thinly sliced sirloin beef
• 2 stalks, sliced green onions
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 cup bean sprouts
• for serving lime wedges
• 1/2 cup Thai basil leaves
• optional, for garnish fresh chili slices

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large pot, char 1 large halved onion and 3-inch sliced ginger over medium heat without oil until blackened edges form, about 5 minutes. Add 2 lbs beef bones, 12 cups water, 3 star anise, 2 cinnamon sticks, 4 cloves, and 3 cardamom pods. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for 3 hours, skimming foam occasionally.
2. Step 2: After simmering, strain the broth through a fine sieve into a clean pot. Add 1/4 cup fish sauce and 1 tbsp rock sugar, stirring until sugar dissolves. Keep broth warm over low heat.
3. Step 3: Soak 8 oz dried rice noodles in hot water for 20 minutes until soft, then drain.
4. Step 4: To serve, divide noodles among bowls. Top with 8 oz thinly sliced raw sirloin beef. Ladle the hot broth over the beef and noodles; the heat will cook the beef slices.
5. Step 5: Garnish each bowl with 2 sliced green onions, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 1 cup bean sprouts, Thai basil leaves, lime wedges, and fresh chili slices if desired.