Slow-Simmered Beef Pho with Aromatic Broth

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

A comforting Vietnamese classic featuring tender beef slices in a fragrant, slow-simmered broth with fresh herbs and rice noodles. This vietnamese-inspired soups ready in about 285 minutes pairs beef bones, beef brisket, large, halved 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.

Prep: 45 min Cook: 240 min Serves 6 Vietnamese cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place 2 lbs beef bones and 1 large halved onion and 3-inch sliced ginger into a large stockpot with 12 cups water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Skim off any foam from the surface for 30 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Add 4 star anise, 5 whole cloves, and 1 cinnamon stick to the pot along with 1/4 cup fish sauce, 1 tbsp rock sugar, and 1 tbsp salt. Simmer the broth gently for 4 hours uncovered, adding water if needed to maintain the volume.
  3. Step 3: After 3 hours, add 1 lb beef brisket to the broth and simmer for the remaining 1 hour until tender.
  4. Step 4: Meanwhile, soak 8 oz pho rice noodles in warm water for 30 minutes, then drain.
  5. Step 5: Remove beef brisket and bones from broth. Strain the broth through a fine sieve and return to pot; keep hot.
  6. Step 6: Thinly slice the cooked brisket against the grain and place on serving bowls.
  7. Step 7: Blanch soaked noodles in boiling water for 1 minute until soft, drain, and divide among bowls.
  8. Step 8: Ladle hot broth over noodles and beef. Garnish each bowl with 1 cup bean sprouts, 1/2 cup fresh Thai basil, 1/4 cup jalapeño slices, 1/2 cup sliced green onions, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, and 4 lime wedges to squeeze over before eating.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Simmered Beef Pho with Aromatic Broth take to make?

Total time is about 285 minutes (45 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 Slow-Simmered Beef Pho with Aromatic 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 Slow-Simmered Beef Pho with Aromatic 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 Slow-Simmered Beef Pho with Aromatic Broth for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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-Simmered Beef Pho with Aromatic 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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