Pho-Inspired Beef Noodle Soup with Star Anise Broth

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

A fragrant and comforting Vietnamese noodle soup featuring tender beef slices in a clear, star anise-spiced broth served with fresh herbs and lime. This vietnamese ready in about 290 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 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: 260 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large stockpot, add 2 lbs beef bones and cover with 12 cups water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes. Drain and rinse bones 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 both charred, 4 star anise pods, 1 cinnamon stick, 5 cloves, and 3 cardamom pods. Simmer gently for 4 hours, skimming foam occasionally.
  3. Step 3: After 4 hours, strain broth through a fine sieve, discard solids, and return broth to pot. Add 1/4 cup fish sauce and 1 tbsp rock sugar. Keep broth hot.
  4. Step 4: Cook 12 oz flat rice noodles in boiling water for 3-4 minutes until tender but firm, then drain.
  5. Step 5: Divide noodles into 4 bowls. Top each with 2 oz thinly sliced raw beef sirloin.
  6. Step 6: Pour hot broth over beef and noodles to gently cook the beef. Garnish with 1 cup bean sprouts, 1/2 cup fresh basil, 1/4 cup cilantro, 3 sliced scallions, and jalapeño slices if using.
  7. Step 7: Serve each bowl with fresh lime wedges for squeezing over the soup to brighten flavors.

Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 290 minutes (30 min prep + 260 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 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 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 Broth 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 Broth?

Vietnamese vietnamese 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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