Vietnamese Pho Bo with Rare Beef and Fresh Herbs

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A fragrant and flavorful broth served with thinly sliced rare beef, rice noodles, and an abundance of fresh herbs typical of Vietnamese cuisine. This vietnamese-inspired beef ready in about 390 minutes pairs beef bones, large, halved and charred onion, inch piece, sliced and charred ginger for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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 350 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large stockpot, add 2 lbs beef bones and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil for 10 minutes, then drain and rinse bones to remove impurities.
  2. Step 2: Refill the pot with 12 cups fresh water, add the cleaned bones, 1 large halved charred onion, 3-inch charred ginger slices, 4 star anise, 1 large cinnamon stick, 5 cloves, 3 cardamom pods, and 1 tbsp rock sugar. Simmer gently for 6 hours, skimming foam occasionally.
  3. Step 3: After simmering, strain broth through a fine sieve into another pot. Add 1/4 cup fish sauce and 1 tbsp salt to the broth, adjusting seasoning to taste.
  4. Step 4: Prepare 12 oz soaked and cooked rice noodles in bowls. Arrange 8 oz thinly sliced sirloin beef on top.
  5. Step 5: Pour the hot broth over the beef and noodles; the heat will cook the beef to rare.
  6. Step 6: Serve with 1 cup bean sprouts, 1/2 cup fresh Thai basil, 1/2 cup cilantro, 1/4 cup chopped scallions, lime wedges, and sliced chili peppers on the side for customization.

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 Vietnamese Pho Bo with Rare Beef and 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 Vietnamese Pho Bo with Rare Beef and 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 Vietnamese Pho Bo with Rare Beef and 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 Vietnamese Pho Bo with Rare Beef and 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 Vietnamese Pho Bo with Rare Beef and 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