Pho-Inspired Beef Soup with Star Anise and Cinnamon

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-16 · Updated 2026-06-16

A fragrant, slow-simmered beef broth infused with star anise and cinnamon, served with tender slices of beef and fresh herbs for a comforting Vietnamese classic. This Vietnamese-inspired soup recipe, ready in about 285 minutes, pairs beef bones, ginger root, yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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.

Ingredients

• 3 pounds beef bones
• 4-inch piece, halved ginger root
• 2 large, halved yellow onion
• 4 whole star anise pods
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 5 whole cloves
• 3 whole, lightly crushed cardamom pods
• 1/4 cup fish sauce
• 2 tablespoons rock sugar or granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 pound, thinly sliced against the grain sirloin steak
• 14 ounces, soaked according to package rice noodle
• 1 cup bean sprouts
• 1/2 cup fresh Thai basil leaves
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
• 1 lime, cut into wedges lime wedges
• 1 small jalapeño sliced jalapeños

The stock pot we’d simmer this in → Best Stock Pots for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 450°F. Place 3 pounds beef bones on a rimmed baking sheet and roast for 30 minutes until browned deeply.
2. Step 2: Meanwhile, char 4-inch piece of ginger root halved and 2 large halved yellow onions directly over an open flame or under broiler until blackened, about 5 minutes.
3. Step 3: Transfer roasted bones, ginger, and onions to a large stockpot. Add 12 cups water and bring to a boil, skimming off any foam for the first 30 minutes.
4. Step 4: Add 4 whole star anise pods, 2 cinnamon sticks, 5 whole cloves, and 3 lightly crushed cardamom pods to the pot. Simmer gently, uncovered, for at least 4 hours to extract flavor.
5. Step 5: Stir in 1/4 cup fish sauce, 2 tablespoons rock sugar, and 2 teaspoons salt. Taste and adjust seasoning.
6. Step 6: To serve, briefly dip thinly sliced 1 pound sirloin steak into hot broth to cook. Divide 14 ounces soaked rice noodles among bowls, top with cooked steak, 1 cup bean sprouts, 1/2 cup fresh Thai basil, 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeños, and lime wedges. Ladle steaming broth over and serve immediately.