Vietnamese Beef Pho

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

A fragrant Vietnamese noodle soup with tender beef, lemongrass, and aromatic herbs. This Vietnamese-inspired soup recipe, ready in about 60 minutes, pairs rice noodles, beef broth, beef sirloin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 45 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large pot, combine 4 cups beef broth, 3 sliced lemongrass stalks, 2 star anise, 1/2 inch cinnamon stick, and 1 tbsp fish sauce. Simmer over medium-low heat for 30 minutes to infuse flavors.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 lb thinly sliced beef sirloin to the broth. Cook for 8-10 minutes until the meat is tender and just cooked through.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1 tbsp grated ginger and 1/2 cup torn fresh basil. Cook for 2 minutes until the herbs wilt.
  4. Step 4: Add 8 oz soaked rice noodles to the pot. Cook for 5 minutes until tender, then remove from heat.
  5. Step 5: Ladle soup into bowls, top with remaining 1/2 cup basil, lime juice, and extra fish sauce if desired.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Vietnamese Beef Pho take to make?

Total time is about 60 minutes (15 min prep + 45 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 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 rice noodles from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in 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 Vietnamese Beef Pho 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 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.

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