Pho-Inspired Beef Broth with Rice Noodles and Herb Garnish

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-16 · Updated 2026-06-16

A fragrant and clear beef broth simmered with warm spices, served over tender rice noodles and topped with fresh herbs and crunchy bean sprouts. This Vietnamese-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 270 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 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

• 2 lbs beef bones
• 1 large, halved onion
• 3-inch piece, sliced ginger
• 3 whole star anise
• 4 whole cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 3 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tbsp rock sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 12 cups water
• 8 oz, flat rice noodles
• 8 oz thinly sliced raw beef sirloin
• 1 cup bean sprouts
• 1/2 cup fresh Thai basil leaves
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
• 4 lime wedges
• 1, optional sliced jalapeño

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

Instructions

1. Step 1: Place 2 lbs beef bones in a large pot and cover with 12 cups water. Bring to a boil and boil vigorously for 10 minutes to remove impurities; drain and rinse bones.
2. Step 2: Return cleaned bones to the pot with 12 cups fresh water. Add 1 large halved onion (charred under broiler until blackened), 3-inch sliced ginger (charred similarly), 3 star anise, 4 cloves, 1 cinnamon stick, 3 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp rock sugar, and 1 tsp salt. Simmer gently for at least 4 hours, skimming foam occasionally, until broth is fragrant and clear.
3. Step 3: Soak 8 oz flat rice noodles in warm water for 30 minutes until pliable, then cook in boiling water for 2 minutes until tender; drain and divide into 4 serving bowls.
4. Step 4: Arrange 8 oz thinly sliced raw beef sirloin atop noodles. Pour hot broth over the beef to cook it instantly.
5. Step 5: Garnish each bowl with 1/4 cup bean sprouts, 2 tbsp Thai basil, 2 tbsp cilantro, lime wedges, and sliced jalapeño if desired. Serve immediately.