Slow-Simmered Beef Phở with Star Anise and Fresh Herbs

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A comforting bowl of traditional Vietnamese beef phở featuring a fragrant broth simmered with star anise and cinnamon, served with tender beef slices and fresh herbs. This vietnamese-inspired beef ready in about 390 minutes pairs beef bones (marrow and knuckle), large onion (halved and charred), inch piece ginger (smashed 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 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: 30 min Cook: 360 min Serves 6 Vietnamese cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place 3 lbs beef bones in a large stockpot and cover with cold water. Bring to a rolling boil for 10 minutes to blanch, then drain and rinse bones under cold water to remove impurities.
  2. Step 2: Return bones to the pot and add 1 halved charred onion and 4-inch smashed charred ginger piece, 4 star anise pods, 2 cinnamon sticks, 5 cloves, and 3 cardamom pods. Fill with 5 quarts fresh water and bring to a gentle simmer over low heat.
  3. Step 3: Simmer uncovered for 6 hours, skimming foam and fat regularly. After 4 hours, add 1/4 cup fish sauce, 1 tbsp rock sugar, and 1 tbsp salt. Continue simmering until broth is clear and deeply flavored.
  4. Step 4: About 20 minutes before serving, soak 12 oz rice pho noodles in hot water until pliable, then drain.
  5. Step 5: Arrange thinly sliced 12 oz raw beef sirloin in serving bowls along with softened noodles. Ladle the boiling hot broth over the beef and noodles to cook the beef slices.
  6. Step 6: Garnish with 1 cup bean sprouts, 1/2 cup fresh Thai basil, 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, 1/4 cup sliced green onions, 4 lime wedges, and 2 tbsp sliced jalapeño or Thai chili slices. Serve immediately with extra lime and hoisin sauce if desired.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Simmered Beef Phở with Star Anise and Fresh Herbs 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 Phở with Star Anise and Fresh Herbs?

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 whole star anise pods from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Beef Phở with Star Anise and Fresh Herbs?

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 Phở with Star Anise and Fresh Herbs 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 Phở with Star Anise and Fresh Herbs?

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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