Spiced Vietnamese Beef Pho with Fresh Herbs

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A fragrant, spiced beef broth filled with tender slices of beef, rice noodles, and topped with crisp fresh herbs and lime. This vietnamese-inspired beef ready in about 390 minutes pairs beef bones, large, halved onion, inch piece, sliced ginger 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
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place 3 lbs beef bones in a large stockpot and cover with 5 quarts cold water. Bring to a boil and boil for 10 minutes, then drain and rinse bones to remove impurities.
  2. Step 2: Return the bones to the pot with 1 large halved onion and 3-inch sliced ginger. Toast 3 star anise, 4 cloves, and 1 cinnamon stick in a dry pan over medium heat for 2 minutes until fragrant, then add to the pot.
  3. Step 3: Add 1/4 cup fish sauce, 1 tbsp sugar, and 1 tbsp salt to the pot. Simmer the broth gently for 6 hours, skimming foam occasionally, until rich and flavorful.
  4. Step 4: About 15 minutes before serving, soak 12 oz rice noodles in hot water until soft, then drain.
  5. Step 5: To serve, place a handful of noodles in each bowl, top with thin slices of 12 oz sirloin steak (raw), then ladle hot broth over to cook the beef.
  6. Step 6: Garnish each bowl with 1 cup bean sprouts, 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, 1/4 cup sliced green onions, lime wedges, and jalapeño slices for added brightness and heat.

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 Spiced Vietnamese Beef Pho with 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 Spiced 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 bones from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced 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 Spiced Vietnamese Beef Pho with 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 Spiced 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.

Related recipes