Slow-Simmered Beef Pho with Aromatic Spices

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A fragrant and rich Vietnamese noodle soup featuring tender beef slices and a clear, spiced broth simmered for hours with charred aromatics. This vietnamese-inspired vietnamese ready in about 380 minutes pairs 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 480 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: 20 min Cook: 360 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Char 1 large halved onion and 3-inch halved ginger over an open flame or under a broiler until blackened, about 5 minutes each side.
  2. Step 2: In a large stockpot, add 3 lbs beef bones and cover with 5 quarts cold water; bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes, then drain and rinse bones to remove impurities.
  3. Step 3: Return bones to the pot with charred onion, ginger, 4 star anise, 1 large cinnamon stick, 5 cloves, 3 cardamom pods, 1/4 cup fish sauce, and 1 tbsp rock sugar; cover and simmer gently for at least 6 hours, skimming any scum occasionally.
  4. Step 4: Strain broth through a fine sieve into a clean pot and keep hot. Meanwhile, cook 12 oz flat rice noodles in boiling water for 3-4 minutes until tender; drain and divide into 4 serving bowls.
  5. Step 5: Arrange 8 oz thinly sliced beef sirloin on top of noodles, then ladle the hot broth over the beef to cook it gently.
  6. Step 6: Garnish each bowl with sliced 3 green onions, 1/2 cup chopped cilantro, 1 cup bean sprouts, fresh Thai basil leaves, sliced jalapeño, and lime wedges to squeeze as desired.

Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 380 minutes (20 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-Simmered Beef Pho with Aromatic Spices?

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 Spices?

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 Spices 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-Simmered Beef Pho with Aromatic Spices?

Vietnamese vietnamese 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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