Slow-Cooked Beef Pho Broth with Rice Noodles
A deeply aromatic beef broth simmered overnight with traditional spices, served with tender rice noodles and fresh herbs for a classic Vietnamese pho experience. This vietnamese-inspired beef ready in about 390 minutes pairs beef bones, large onion, halved and charred, inch piece ginger, sliced and charred 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
- 3 lbs beef bones
- 1 large onion, halved and charred
- 4-inch piece ginger, sliced and charred
- 4 whole star anise
- 2 sticks cinnamon sticks
- 6 whole cloves
- 3 pods cardamom pods
- 2 tbsp salt
- 1 tbsp rock sugar
- 1/4 cup fish sauce
- 5 quarts water
- 12 oz dry rice noodles (banh pho)
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 1/2 cup fresh Thai basil leaves
- 1/4 cup cilantro leaves
- 4 wedges lime wedges
- 1/4 cup jalapeño slices
- 8 oz thinly sliced raw beef sirloin
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 3 lbs beef bones in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a rolling boil for 10 minutes, then drain and rinse bones to remove impurities.
- Step 2: Refill the pot with 5 quarts fresh water. Add the cleaned bones, 1 large halved charred onion, 4-inch piece of sliced charred ginger, 4 star anise, 2 cinnamon sticks, 6 cloves, 3 cardamom pods, 2 tbsp salt, and 1 tbsp rock sugar. Bring to a boil then reduce to a low simmer, partially covered, for at least 6 hours, skimming foam occasionally.
- Step 3: After simmering, strain broth through a fine mesh sieve and discard solids. Stir in 1/4 cup fish sauce and adjust salt to taste.
- Step 4: Meanwhile, soak 12 oz dry rice noodles in warm water for 20 minutes until pliable. Drain.
- Step 5: Bring a separate pot of water to boil and briefly blanch noodles for 1 minute until soft but firm. Drain and divide among 4 bowls.
- Step 6: Arrange 8 oz thinly sliced raw beef sirloin on top of noodles. Pour hot broth over the beef and noodles to cook the meat gently.
- Step 7: Serve pho with 1 cup bean sprouts, 1/2 cup fresh Thai basil, 1/4 cup cilantro, 4 lime wedges, and 1/4 cup jalapeño slices for garnishing.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Beef Pho Broth with Rice Noodles 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 Slow-Cooked Beef Pho Broth with Rice Noodles?
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 Slow-Cooked Beef Pho Broth with Rice Noodles?
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 Slow-Cooked Beef Pho Broth with Rice Noodles 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 Slow-Cooked Beef Pho Broth with Rice Noodles?
Vietnamese beef 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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