Saigon-Style Beef Noodle Soup (Phở Bò)

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A fragrant beef broth simmered with spices, served with tender rice noodles, thinly sliced beef, and fresh herbs for a classic Vietnamese comfort soup. This vietnamese-inspired soups ready in about 390 minutes pairs marrow and knuckle bones beef bones, large, halved onion, inch piece, halved ginger for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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.

Prep: 30 min Cook: 360 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Char 1 large halved onion and 3-inch piece ginger under a broiler or over an open flame until blackened, about 5 minutes. Rinse 3 lbs beef bones and place in a large stockpot with 4 quarts water. Bring to a boil and blanch bones for 10 minutes, then drain and rinse bones to remove impurities.
  2. Step 2: Return bones to clean pot with charred onion, ginger, 4 star anise, 1 large cinnamon stick, 5 cloves, and 3 cardamom pods. Add 1 tbsp salt, 1/4 cup fish sauce, and 1 tbsp rock sugar. Simmer gently, uncovered, for at least 6 hours, skimming foam periodically for a clear broth.
  3. Step 3: About 30 minutes before serving, soak 12 oz dried rice noodles in warm water for 20 minutes, then blanch in boiling water for 1 minute until tender. Drain and divide noodles into 4 serving bowls.
  4. Step 4: Thinly slice 8 oz sirloin steak and arrange on top of noodles. Pour hot broth over the beef and noodles to cook the meat.
  5. Step 5: Serve with 2 cups fresh bean sprouts, 1 cup fresh Thai basil, 1/2 cup sliced green onions, 1/4 cup sliced jalapeños, and 4 lime wedges for guests to customize their bowls.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Saigon-Style Beef Noodle Soup (Phở Bò) take to make?

Total time is about 390 minutes (30 min prep + 360 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 Saigon-Style Beef Noodle Soup (Phở Bò)?

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 large, halved onion from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Saigon-Style Beef Noodle Soup (Phở Bò)?

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 Saigon-Style Beef Noodle Soup (Phở Bò) 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 Saigon-Style Beef Noodle Soup (Phở Bò)?

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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