Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Beef Soup with Star Anise and Cinnamon
A fragrant, slow-simmered beef broth infused with star anise and cinnamon, served with tender slices of beef and fresh herbs for a comforting Vietnamese classic. This vietnamese-inspired soups ready in about 285 minutes pairs pounds beef bones, inch piece, halved ginger root, large, halved yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 6, 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
- 3 pounds beef bones
- 4-inch piece, halved ginger root
- 2 large, halved yellow onion
- 4 whole star anise pods
- 2 sticks cinnamon sticks
- 5 whole cloves
- 3 whole, lightly crushed cardamom pods
- 1/4 cup fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons rock sugar or granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 pound, thinly sliced against the grain sirloin steak
- 14 ounces, soaked according to package rice noodle
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 1/2 cup fresh Thai basil leaves
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
- 1 lime, cut into wedges lime wedges
- 1 small jalapeño sliced jalapeños
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 450°F. Place 3 pounds beef bones on a rimmed baking sheet and roast for 30 minutes until browned deeply.
- Step 2: Meanwhile, char 4-inch piece of ginger root halved and 2 large halved yellow onions directly over an open flame or under broiler until blackened, about 5 minutes.
- Step 3: Transfer roasted bones, ginger, and onions to a large stockpot. Add 12 cups water and bring to a boil, skimming off any foam for the first 30 minutes.
- Step 4: Add 4 whole star anise pods, 2 cinnamon sticks, 5 whole cloves, and 3 lightly crushed cardamom pods to the pot. Simmer gently, uncovered, for at least 4 hours to extract flavor.
- Step 5: Stir in 1/4 cup fish sauce, 2 tablespoons rock sugar, and 2 teaspoons salt. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Step 6: To serve, briefly dip thinly sliced 1 pound sirloin steak into hot broth to cook. Divide 14 ounces soaked rice noodles among bowls, top with cooked steak, 1 cup bean sprouts, 1/2 cup fresh Thai basil, 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeños, and lime wedges. Ladle steaming broth over and serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Beef Soup with Star Anise and Cinnamon take to make?
Total time is about 285 minutes (45 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 with Star Anise and Cinnamon?
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 pounds beef bones from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Beef Soup with Star Anise and Cinnamon?
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 with Star Anise and Cinnamon for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 with Star Anise and Cinnamon?
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.
