Slow-Simmered Vietnamese Beef Pho with Fresh Herbs
A fragrant, slow-simmered beef broth layered with warm spices served over rice noodles and fresh herbs for a comforting Vietnamese classic. This vietnamese-inspired beef ready in about 260 minutes pairs beef brisket, cut into chunks, beef marrow bones, 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
- 1.5 lbs beef brisket, cut into chunks
- 2 lbs beef marrow bones
- 1 large onion, halved and charred
- 3-inch piece ginger, sliced and charred
- 4 whole star anise pods
- 2 sticks cinnamon sticks
- 5 whole cloves
- 3 pods cardamom pods
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tbsp rock sugar
- 4 tbsp fish sauce
- 12 oz rice noodles (pho noodles)
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 1/2 cup fresh Thai basil leaves
- 1/4 cup cilantro sprigs
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions
- 1 lime lime wedges
- 1 small sliced jalapeño
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large stockpot, place 1.5 lbs beef brisket and 2 lbs beef marrow bones with 4 quarts cold water. Bring to a boil over high heat and simmer for 10 minutes, skimming off foam and impurities.
- Step 2: Add 1 large halved onion and 3-inch sliced ginger, both charred directly over flame until blackened, plus 4 star anise, 2 cinnamon sticks, 5 cloves, and 3 cardamom pods. Reduce heat to low and simmer gently, uncovered, for 4 hours.
- Step 3: After 4 hours, remove bones and brisket; strain broth through a fine mesh sieve. Return broth to pot, add 1 tbsp salt, 1 tbsp rock sugar, and 4 tbsp fish sauce. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Step 4: Slice the cooked brisket thinly against the grain.
- Step 5: Prepare 12 oz rice noodles by soaking in hot water for 10 minutes or until tender but firm. Drain well.
- Step 6: To serve, divide noodles into 4 bowls, top with sliced brisket, bean sprouts, fresh Thai basil leaves, cilantro sprigs, and sliced green onions.
- Step 7: Ladle hot broth over the noodles and garnish with lime wedges and sliced jalapeño for added heat.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Simmered Vietnamese Beef Pho with Fresh Herbs take to make?
Total time is about 260 minutes (20 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 Vietnamese Beef Pho with 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 beef brisket, cut into chunks from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Vietnamese Beef Pho with 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 Vietnamese Beef Pho with Fresh Herbs 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 Vietnamese Beef Pho with 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.
