Slow-Simmered Beef Pho with Fresh Herb Garnish
A fragrant beef broth simmered for hours with warm spices, served over delicate rice noodles and topped with fresh herbs and lime for a classic Vietnamese soup experience. This vietnamese-inspired beef ready in about 390 minutes pairs beef bones, beef brisket, large onion, halved 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 lb beef brisket
- 1 large onion, halved and charred
- 3-inch piece ginger, sliced and charred
- 4 whole star anise
- 4 whole cloves
- 1 stick (3 inches) cinnamon stick
- 2 pods cardamom pods
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tbsp rock sugar
- 1/4 cup fish sauce
- 12 oz dried rice noodles (pho noodles)
- 2 cups bean sprouts
- 1 cup thai basil leaves
- 1/2 cup cilantro sprigs
- 1/2 cup green onions, sliced
- 1 lime lime wedges
- to taste jalapeño or bird’s eye chili slices
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 3 lbs beef bones under cold water, then place in a large stockpot with 1 lb beef brisket, 1 large halved onion charred over an open flame until blackened, and 3-inch sliced ginger also charred similarly.
- Step 2: Add 4 star anise, 4 whole cloves, 1 cinnamon stick, and 2 cardamom pods to the pot. Cover with 6 quarts water and bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
- Step 3: Simmer uncovered for at least 6 hours, skimming foam and impurities every 30 minutes. Add 1 tbsp salt, 1 tbsp rock sugar, and 1/4 cup fish sauce halfway through cooking.
- Step 4: After simmering, remove beef brisket and set aside to cool; strain broth through a fine sieve.
- Step 5: Cook 12 oz dried rice noodles according to package instructions, then drain and divide into 4 serving bowls.
- Step 6: Slice cooled beef brisket thinly and arrange on top of noodles. Ladle hot broth over to warm beef and noodles.
- Step 7: Garnish with 2 cups bean sprouts, 1 cup thai basil leaves, 1/2 cup cilantro sprigs, 1/2 cup sliced green onions, fresh lime wedges, and chili slices as desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Simmered Beef Pho with Fresh Herb Garnish 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-Simmered Beef Pho with Fresh Herb Garnish?
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 Fresh Herb Garnish?
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 Fresh Herb Garnish 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 Fresh Herb Garnish?
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.
