Pho-Style Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup with Star Anise Broth

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

A fragrant broth simmered with star anise and cinnamon, served over tender rice noodles and thinly sliced beef for a comforting and aromatic Vietnamese classic. This vietnamese-inspired soups ready in about 270 minutes pairs beef bones, large, halved onion, inch piece, sliced lengthwise ginger for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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 400 cal/serving
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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 and boil for 10 minutes. Drain and rinse bones to remove impurities.
  2. Step 2: Dry roast 1 large halved onion and 3-inch sliced ginger on a baking sheet under broiler for 7 minutes until charred at edges.
  3. Step 3: Return cleaned bones to pot with 12 cups fresh water, add roasted onion, ginger, 4 star anise pods, 1 large cinnamon stick, 4 cloves, and 3 cardamom pods. Simmer gently uncovered for 4 hours, skimming foam occasionally.
  4. Step 4: After 4 hours, strain broth through a fine mesh sieve into a clean pot. Discard solids.
  5. Step 5: Add 1/4 cup fish sauce, 1 tbsp sugar, and 1 1/2 tsp salt to broth. Adjust seasoning to taste and keep warm.
  6. Step 6: Soak 8 oz rice noodles in hot water for 15 minutes until pliable, then drain.
  7. Step 7: Divide noodles among 4 bowls, top each with 3 oz thinly sliced raw sirloin beef.
  8. Step 8: Ladle the hot broth over noodles and beef to gently cook the meat.
  9. Step 9: Serve with 1 cup bean sprouts, 1/2 cup fresh Thai basil, 4 lime wedges, 1 small sliced jalapeño, and 1/4 cup sliced green onions on the side for garnishing.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Pho-Style Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup with Star Anise Broth 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-Style Vietnamese 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-Style Vietnamese 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-Style Vietnamese 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-Style Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup with Star Anise Broth?

Vietnamese soups 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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