Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Beef Soup

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

A fragrant and delicate beef broth soup with thinly sliced beef, rice noodles, and fresh herbs inspired by traditional pho. This vietnamese-inspired beef ready in about 260 minutes pairs beef bones, large onion, halved and charred, inch piece ginger, sliced and charred 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 240 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place 3 lbs beef bones in a large stockpot and cover with 12 cups water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer and skim foam for 15 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 large halved onion and 3-inch sliced ginger, both charred over an open flame or under broiler until blackened on edges, along with 4 star anise, 4 cloves, and 1 cinnamon stick. Simmer uncovered for 4 hours, skimming occasionally.
  3. Step 3: Strain broth through a fine sieve into a clean pot. Stir in 1/4 cup fish sauce and 1 tbsp white sugar; keep broth hot.
  4. Step 4: Soak 8 oz rice noodles in hot water for 10 minutes until pliable, then drain.
  5. Step 5: Divide noodles among 4 bowls and top each with 1/2 lb thinly sliced sirloin steak. Ladle hot broth over the beef to cook it gently.
  6. Step 6: Garnish bowls with 1 cup bean sprouts, 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, 1/4 cup cilantro leaves, 4 lime wedges, and sliced jalapeño to taste. Serve immediately.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Beef Soup 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 Soup?

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 Soup?

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 Soup 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 Soup?

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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