Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Beef Broth with Rice Noodles and Fresh Herbs
A fragrant beef broth simmered with warm spices, served with tender rice noodles, thinly sliced beef, and an array of fresh herbs. This vietnamese-inspired soups ready in about 260 minutes pairs beef bones, large, halved onion, inch piece, sliced lengthwise ginger for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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
- 2 lbs beef bones
- 1 large, halved onion
- 3-inch piece, sliced lengthwise ginger
- 4 whole star anise
- 4 whole cloves
- 1 large (3-inch) cinnamon stick
- 3 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp rock sugar
- 2 tsp salt
- 12 cups water
- 8 oz, dried rice noodles
- 8 oz, thinly sliced sirloin steak
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 1/2 cup fresh Thai basil
- 1/2 cup cilantro
- 3, thinly sliced scallions
- 4 lime wedges
- 1/4 cup jalapeño slices
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large stockpot, char 1 large halved onion and 3-inch sliced ginger over an open flame or under a broiler until blackened, about 5 minutes per side. Add 2 lbs beef bones to the pot along with 12 cups water.
- Step 2: Bring to a boil and skim off any foam. Add 4 whole star anise, 4 whole cloves, 1 large (3-inch) cinnamon stick, 3 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp rock sugar, and 2 tsp salt. Lower heat to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for 4 hours, skimming occasionally.
- Step 3: About 20 minutes before serving, soak 8 oz dried rice noodles in warm water until pliable, about 10 minutes. Drain.
- Step 4: Bring a separate pot of water to a boil. Quickly blanch the noodles for 30 seconds, then divide among 4 bowls.
- Step 5: Arrange 8 oz thinly sliced sirloin steak on top of the noodles. Ladle the hot broth over the noodles and beef, cooking the beef thinly and evenly.
- Step 6: Serve bowls garnished with 1 cup bean sprouts, 1/2 cup fresh Thai basil, 1/2 cup cilantro, 3 thinly sliced scallions, lime wedges, and 1/4 cup jalapeño slices for added heat.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Beef Broth with Rice Noodles and Fresh Herbs take to make?
Total time is about 260 minutes (20 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 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-Inspired Beef Broth with Rice Noodles 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-Inspired Beef Broth with Rice Noodles 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-Inspired Beef Broth with Rice Noodles and Fresh Herbs?
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.
