Vietnamese Pho Bo with Rich Beef Broth and Fresh Herbs
A fragrant and deeply flavorful beef noodle soup with tender slices of beef, aromatic spices, and fresh herbs to brighten every spoonful. This vietnamese-inspired beef ready in about 405 minutes pairs beef bones (marrow and knuckle), large onion, halved, inch piece fresh ginger, sliced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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
- 3 lbs beef bones (marrow and knuckle)
- 1 large onion, halved
- 3-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced
- 5 whole star anise
- 2 sticks cinnamon sticks
- 4 whole cloves
- 2 pods cardamom pods
- 1/4 cup fish sauce
- 1 tbsp rock sugar or regular sugar
- 12 oz rice noodles (pho noodles)
- 1/2 lb sirloin or eye of round beef, thinly sliced
- 1 cup fresh bean sprouts
- 1/2 cup thai basil leaves
- 1/4 cup cilantro leaves
- 4 wedges lime wedges
- 1 small sliced jalapeño
- 2 tbsp thinly sliced green onions
Instructions
- Step 1: Char 1 large halved onion and 3-inch sliced fresh ginger over an open flame or under broiler until blackened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Step 2: In a large stockpot, add 3 lbs beef bones, charred onion, ginger, 5 star anise, 2 cinnamon sticks, 4 cloves, and 2 cardamom pods. Cover with 5 quarts cold water and bring to a boil, skimming impurities for 10 minutes.
- Step 3: Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 6 hours, adding 1/4 cup fish sauce and 1 tbsp rock sugar during the last hour.
- Step 4: Remove bones and spices by straining broth through a fine mesh. Keep broth hot.
- Step 5: Soak 12 oz rice pho noodles in hot water for 20 minutes, then briefly boil for 1 minute until tender and drain.
- Step 6: Divide noodles into 4 bowls. Arrange 1/2 lb thinly sliced raw sirloin over noodles.
- Step 7: Pour boiling broth over beef and noodles to cook the meat instantly.
- Step 8: Garnish with 1 cup fresh bean sprouts, 1/2 cup Thai basil, 1/4 cup cilantro, 2 tbsp sliced green onions, lime wedges, and sliced jalapeño. Serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Vietnamese Pho Bo with Rich Beef Broth and Fresh Herbs take to make?
Total time is about 405 minutes (45 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 Rich Beef Broth 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 large onion, halved from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Vietnamese Pho Bo with Rich Beef Broth 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 Rich Beef Broth and 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 Vietnamese Pho Bo with Rich Beef Broth 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.
