Pho-Inspired Beef Broth with Rice Noodles and Herb Garnish

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

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 ready in about 270 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 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.

Prep: 30 min Cook: 240 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 400 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Pho-Inspired Beef Broth with Rice Noodles and Herb Garnish take to make?

Total time is about 270 minutes (30 min prep + 240 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-Inspired Beef Broth with Rice Noodles and Herb Garnish?

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-Inspired Beef Broth with Rice Noodles and Herb Garnish?

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-Inspired Beef Broth with Rice Noodles and Herb Garnish 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-Inspired Beef Broth with Rice Noodles and Herb Garnish?

Vietnamese beef 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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