Vietnamese Pho Bo with Slow-Simmered Beef Bones

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A deeply aromatic beef broth infused with star anise and ginger, served over rice noodles with tender beef slices and fresh herbs. This vietnamese-inspired soups ready in about 275 minutes pairs beef bones, large, quartered onion, sliced ginger for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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.

★ 4.3 (10 ratings) Prep: 25 min Cook: 250 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 520 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 pot, cover with cold water, and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat for 20 minutes; skim off foam, then add 1 large quartered onion, 4 oz sliced ginger, 4 whole star anise, and 1 cinnamon stick.
  2. Step 2: Simmer uncovered for 4 hours, skimming fat occasionally, then strain broth into a clean pot; stir in 3 tbsp fish sauce and return to a bare simmer.
  3. Step 3: Cook 8 oz rice noodles in boiling water for 5 minutes until tender, then drain and divide between bowls.
  4. Step 4: Add 12 oz thinly sliced flank steak to the simmering broth; cook for 2 minutes until just opaque, then pour over noodles.
  5. Step 5: Top with 2 cups bean sprouts, 1/2 cup chopped cilantro, and serve with lime wedges on the side for squeezing.

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 Slow-Simmered Beef Bones take to make?

Total time is about 275 minutes (25 min prep + 250 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 Slow-Simmered Beef Bones?

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 Slow-Simmered Beef Bones?

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 Slow-Simmered Beef Bones 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 Slow-Simmered Beef Bones?

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.

What others are saying

Related recipes