Slow-Simmered Southern Vietnamese Beef Pho

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A fragrant and rich bowl of Southern Vietnamese beef pho, simmered with spices and tender beef, served with fresh herbs and rice noodles. This vietnamese-inspired soups ready in about 285 minutes pairs pounds beef bones, pound beef brisket, large, halved yellow onion 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: 45 min Cook: 240 min Serves 6 Vietnamese cuisine 450 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat a large stockpot over medium-high heat. Char 1 large halved yellow onion and 4-inch halved ginger root directly on the flame or under a broiler for 5-7 minutes until blackened and fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Add 3 pounds beef bones and 1 pound beef brisket to the pot along with 5 quarts cold water. Bring to a boil and skim off any scum for 15 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Tie 5 whole star anise, 2 cinnamon sticks, 5 cloves, and 3 cardamom pods in a cheesecloth sachet and add to the pot.
  4. Step 4: Add 1/4 cup fish sauce, 1 tablespoon rock sugar, and 2 teaspoons salt. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 4 hours, occasionally skimming impurities.
  5. Step 5: After 4 hours, remove the beef brisket, set aside to rest, and strain the broth through a fine mesh sieve into a clean pot.
  6. Step 6: Soak 12 ounces rice noodles in warm water for 30 minutes, then blanch in boiling water for 1 minute until tender but firm, drain.
  7. Step 7: Thinly slice the rested beef brisket against the grain.
  8. Step 8: To serve, divide noodles into bowls, top with sliced beef brisket, 1/2 cup bean sprouts, 1 cup Thai basil leaves, 1/2 cup jalapeño slices, 4 sliced scallions, and 1/2 cup chopped cilantro.
  9. Step 9: Ladle the hot broth over the noodles and garnish with lime wedges for squeezing.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Simmered Southern Vietnamese Beef Pho 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 Southern Vietnamese Beef Pho?

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 pounds beef bones from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Southern Vietnamese Beef Pho?

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 Southern Vietnamese Beef Pho 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 Southern Vietnamese Beef Pho?

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.

Related recipes