Pho-Inspired Beef Noodle Soup with Star Anise and Cloves

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-27 · Updated 2026-07-27

A fragrant and comforting beef noodle soup featuring tender slices of beef, aromatic broth infused with star anise and cloves, and fresh herbs for a classic Vietnamese experience. This vietnamese-inspired beef ready in about 210 minutes pairs beef bones, water, large onion, halved 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.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs beef bones
• 12 cups water
• 1 large onion, halved
• 3-inch piece ginger, sliced
• 3 whole star anise
• 4 whole cloves
• 1 stick cinnamon stick
• 1 tbsp rock sugar or granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup fish sauce
• 8 oz rice noodles (pho noodles)
• 8 oz beef sirloin, thinly sliced
• 1 cup bean sprouts
• 1/2 cup fresh Thai basil
• 1 lime lime wedges
• 1/4 cup sliced jalapenos
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro

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 cook for 10 minutes, skimming off any foam that rises to the surface.
2. Step 2: Drain and rinse the bones to remove impurities, then return them to the pot with 12 cups fresh water. Add 1 large halved onion (charred under broiler or in dry pan until blackened), 3-inch sliced ginger, 3 star anise, 4 cloves, 1 cinnamon stick, and 1 tbsp rock sugar. Simmer gently over low heat, uncovered, for at least 3 hours, occasionally skimming fat and impurities.
3. Step 3: After simmering, strain the broth through a fine sieve into a clean pot. Stir in 1/4 cup fish sauce and adjust seasoning to taste.
4. Step 4: Prepare 8 oz rice noodles by soaking them in hot water for 15 minutes until soft, then briefly blanching in boiling water for 1 minute, and drain.
5. Step 5: Divide the prepared noodles into 4 serving bowls. Arrange thinly sliced 8 oz raw beef sirloin over the noodles.
6. Step 6: Pour the boiling hot broth over the beef and noodles to gently cook the beef slices.
7. Step 7: Garnish with 1 cup bean sprouts, 1/2 cup fresh Thai basil, 1/4 cup chopped green onions, 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, 1/4 cup sliced jalapenos, and lime wedges. Serve immediately.