Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Beef Soup with Fresh Herbs

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-03 · Updated 2026-05-03

A fragrant bowl of beef broth simmered with warm spices, served with tender beef slices, rice noodles, and an abundance of fresh herbs for a comforting and aromatic meal. This vietnamese-inspired soups ready in about 260 minutes pairs beef bones, water, onion, halved 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.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs beef bones
• 12 cups water
• 1 medium onion, halved and charred
• 3-inch piece ginger, sliced and charred
• 3 whole star anise
• 4 whole cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1/4 cup fish sauce
• 1 tbsp rock sugar or white sugar
• 8 oz flat rice noodles (banh pho)
• 8 oz sirloin beef, thinly sliced
• 1 cup bean sprouts
• 1/2 cup fresh Thai basil leaves
• 1/2 cup cilantro leaves
• 3 stalks green onions, sliced
• 4 wedges lime wedges
• to taste jalapeño slices

Instructions

1. Step 1: Place 2 lbs beef bones in a large stockpot and cover with 12 cups cold water. Bring to a boil and simmer 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 halved onion and 3-inch sliced ginger, both charred until blackened over an open flame or skillet.
3. Step 3: Add 3 star anise, 4 whole cloves, and 1 cinnamon stick. Simmer gently uncovered for at least 4 hours, skimming any foam occasionally.
4. Step 4: After simmering, strain the broth through a fine sieve into a clean pot. Stir in 1/4 cup fish sauce and 1 tbsp rock sugar until dissolved. Keep broth hot.
5. Step 5: Prepare 8 oz flat rice noodles according to package instructions, usually soaking or boiling until soft, then drain.
6. Step 6: Arrange 8 oz thinly sliced sirloin beef on a plate. Divide noodles among 4 bowls and top with raw beef slices.
7. Step 7: Pour the hot broth directly over the beef and noodles to gently cook the beef.
8. Step 8: Serve with 1 cup bean sprouts, 1/2 cup fresh Thai basil, 1/2 cup cilantro, 3 sliced green onions, lime wedges, and jalapeño slices on the side for guests to customize.