Pho-Inspired Beef Noodle Soup with Star Anise and Clove Broth

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

A fragrant beef noodle soup simmered with star anise and cloves, featuring tender slices of beef and fresh rice noodles in a clear, aromatic broth. This vietnamese-inspired beef ready in about 285 minutes pairs beef bones, water, large, halved onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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.

Prep: 45 min Cook: 240 min Serves 6 Vietnamese cuisine 280 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place 2 lbs beef bones in a large stockpot and cover with 12 cups cold water. Bring to a boil over high heat and boil for 10 minutes. Drain, rinse bones and pot to remove impurities.
  2. Step 2: Return cleaned bones to the pot with 12 cups fresh water. Add 1 large halved onion and 3-inch sliced ginger. Toast 4 star anise, 5 cloves, and 2 cinnamon sticks in a dry pan over medium heat for 2 minutes until fragrant, then add to the pot.
  3. Step 3: Simmer the broth gently, uncovered, for 4 hours, skimming any foam occasionally. Add 1/4 cup fish sauce and 1 tbsp rock sugar during the last 30 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Meanwhile, soak 8 oz dried rice noodles in warm water for 30 minutes, then drain.
  5. Step 5: Just before serving, bring the broth back to a simmer. Blanch the noodles in boiling water for 1 minute, then divide into bowls. Top with 8 oz thinly sliced raw beef sirloin.
  6. Step 6: Ladle hot broth over the beef and noodles to cook the beef. Garnish with 1 cup bean sprouts, 1/2 cup fresh Thai basil, 1/4 cup chopped green onions, lime wedges, and sliced jalapeño if desired.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pho-Inspired Beef Noodle Soup with Star Anise and Clove Broth take to make?

Total time is about 285 minutes (45 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 Clove Broth?

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 Clove Broth?

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 Clove Broth for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Clove Broth?

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.

Related recipes