Pho-Inspired Beef Noodle Soup with Star Anise and Cinnamon

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A fragrant beef broth simmered with star anise and cinnamon, served with tender rice noodles and fresh herbs for a classic Vietnamese soup experience. This vietnamese-inspired beef ready in about 270 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: 240 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Char 1 large halved onion and 3-inch halved ginger over an open flame or under the broiler until blackened, about 5 minutes.
  2. Step 2: In a large pot, add 2 lbs beef bones, the charred onion and ginger, 4 star anise pods, 1 large cinnamon stick, and 5 cloves. Cover with 12 cups water and bring to a boil. Skim off any foam, then reduce heat to low and simmer gently for 4 hours.
  3. Step 3: After simmering, strain the broth through a fine mesh sieve into a clean pot. Stir in 3 tbsp fish sauce and 1 tbsp rock sugar. Keep broth hot.
  4. Step 4: Prepare 8 oz flat, wide rice noodles by soaking in warm water for 20 minutes or until pliable, then briefly blanch in boiling water for 1 minute. Drain well.
  5. Step 5: Divide noodles among 4 deep bowls. Top each with 2 oz thinly sliced sirloin steak.
  6. Step 6: Ladle the hot broth over the noodles and beef, cooking the thin beef slices in the hot liquid.
  7. Step 7: Serve immediately with 1 cup bean sprouts, 1/2 cup fresh basil, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, 4 lime wedges, and 2 tbsp sliced fresh chili on the side for guests to garnish.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pho-Inspired Beef Noodle Soup with Star Anise and Cinnamon 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 Noodle Soup with Star Anise and Cinnamon?

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 Noodle Soup with Star Anise and Cinnamon?

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 Noodle Soup with Star Anise and Cinnamon 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 Noodle Soup with Star Anise and Cinnamon?

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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