Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Beef Noodle Soup with Star Anise and Ginger

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

A fragrant beef broth simmered with star anise and ginger, served with tender rice noodles and thinly sliced beef for a warming bowl of pho. This vietnamese-inspired soups ready in about 300 minutes pairs beef bones, water, onion 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.

Prep: 60 min Cook: 240 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place 2 lbs beef bones in a large stockpot and cover with 12 cups cold water. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat for 10 minutes, then drain and rinse bones to remove impurities.
  2. Step 2: Return cleaned bones to pot with 12 cups fresh water, add 1 large halved onion, 3-inch sliced fresh ginger, 4 whole star anise, 1 large cinnamon stick, 5 whole cloves, and 1 tbsp rock sugar. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for 4 hours, skimming foam every 30 minutes.
  3. Step 3: After simmering, strain broth through a fine mesh sieve into a clean pot. Stir in 1/4 cup fish sauce and keep warm over low heat.
  4. Step 4: Soak 8 oz pho rice noodles in warm water for 30 minutes, then briefly blanch in boiling water for 1 minute until tender; drain.
  5. Step 5: Divide noodles among 4 bowls, top with 8 oz thinly sliced sirloin steak (raw). Pour hot broth over the beef to cook it gently.
  6. Step 6: Garnish each bowl with sliced green onions, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, and 1 cup fresh bean sprouts. Serve with lime wedges for squeezing.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Beef Noodle Soup with Star Anise and Ginger take to make?

Total time is about 300 minutes (60 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 Noodle Soup with Star Anise and Ginger?

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 Noodle Soup with Star Anise and Ginger?

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 Noodle Soup with Star Anise and Ginger 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 Noodle Soup with Star Anise and Ginger?

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.

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