Spicy Beef and Crab Seafood Pho with Fresh Herbs

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-05 · Updated 2026-06-05

A vibrant Vietnamese seafood pho featuring tender beef slices and crab meat in a spicy, aromatic broth, garnished with fresh herbs and chili for depth and heat. This Vietnamese-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 210 minutes, pairs beef brisket, fresh crab meat, beef bones for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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 lb, thinly sliced beef brisket
• 8 oz fresh crab meat
• 3 lbs beef bones
• 1 large, charred onion
• 3-inch piece, charred ginger
• 4 whole star anise
• 5 whole cloves
• 1 large cinnamon stick
• 5 tbsp fish sauce
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 14 oz dried rice noodles
• 2 tbsp chili oil
• 2 cups bean sprouts
• 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
• 1/2 cup cilantro
• 4 lime wedges
• 1 small sliced red chili
• 3 stalks, sliced green onions

The stock pot we’d simmer this in → Best Stock Pots for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large stockpot, add 3 lbs beef bones and cover with 16 cups water. Bring to boil and skim impurities. Add 1 large charred onion, 3-inch charred ginger, 4 star anise, 5 cloves, and 1 large cinnamon stick. Simmer uncovered for 3 hours to develop a rich broth.
2. Step 2: After simmering, strain broth through fine mesh and return to pot. Add 5 tbsp fish sauce and 2 tbsp sugar, adjusting seasoning to taste. Keep broth hot on low heat.
3. Step 3: Soak 14 oz dried rice noodles in warm water for 25 minutes, then drain.
4. Step 4: Bring broth back to a boil. Blanch noodles in broth for 1-2 minutes until soft, then divide noodles into 4 bowls.
5. Step 5: Arrange thinly sliced 1 lb beef brisket and 8 oz fresh crab meat on top of noodles. Pour hot broth over to cook beef slices gently.
6. Step 6: Garnish each bowl with 2 cups bean sprouts, 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, 1/2 cup cilantro, 3 sliced green onions, sliced red chili, and 4 lime wedges. Drizzle 2 tbsp chili oil over each bowl for heat.
7. Step 7: Serve immediately, allowing diners to squeeze lime and add herbs to taste.