Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Beef Broth with Rice Noodles

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

A fragrant, spiced beef broth simmered with aromatic herbs and spices, served with tender rice noodles and fresh garnishes. This vietnamese-inspired beef ready in about 270 minutes pairs beef bones, onion, ginger for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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: 30 min Cook: 240 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 400 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place 2 lbs beef bones in a large pot and cover with 12 cups water. Bring to a boil over high heat and boil for 10 minutes. Drain and rinse bones to remove impurities.
  2. Step 2: Return cleaned bones to pot with 1 large halved onion and 3-inch sliced ginger. Char onion and ginger under broiler for 5 minutes until slightly blackened before adding to pot.
  3. Step 3: Add 4 whole star anise, 5 whole cloves, 1 cinnamon stick (3 inches), 3 tbsp fish sauce, and 1 tbsp rock sugar to pot. Simmer gently over low heat, partially covered, for 4 hours, skimming foam occasionally.
  4. Step 4: After simmering, strain broth through a fine sieve into another pot. Keep hot over lowest heat.
  5. Step 5: Cook 8 oz dried rice noodles according to package instructions until tender, then drain and divide among 4 bowls.
  6. Step 6: Arrange 8 oz thinly sliced raw beef sirloin on top of noodles. Ladle hot broth over beef and noodles to cook beef gently.
  7. Step 7: Serve pho with 1 cup bean sprouts, 1/2 cup fresh Thai basil leaves, 4 lime wedges, 1 small sliced jalapeño, 1/4 cup chopped scallions, and 1/4 cup chopped cilantro for garnishing.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Beef Broth with Rice Noodles take to make?

Total time is about 270 minutes (30 min prep + 240 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-Inspired Beef Broth with Rice Noodles?

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-Inspired Beef Broth with Rice Noodles?

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-Inspired Beef Broth with Rice Noodles 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-Inspired Beef Broth with Rice Noodles?

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.

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