Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Rice Noodle Soup with Beef and Fresh Herbs
A fragrant, homemade beef broth soup with tender slices of beef, silky rice noodles, and an abundance of fresh herbs and lime for a refreshing Vietnamese-inspired bowl. This vietnamese-inspired soups ready in about 225 minutes pairs beef bones, onion, ginger for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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 ginger
- 12 cups water
- 3 whole star anise
- 4 whole cloves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 tbsp rock sugar
- 1 tbsp salt
- 8 oz rice noodles (banh pho)
- 8 oz, thinly sliced beef sirloin
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 1/2 cup fresh Thai basil
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro
- 3, sliced green onions
- for serving lime wedges
- for serving hoisin sauce
- for serving sriracha
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Char 1 large halved onion and 3-inch sliced ginger under a broiler or over an open flame until lightly blackened, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
- Step 2: In a large stockpot, add 2 lbs beef bones and cover with 12 cups water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes. Drain and rinse bones to remove impurities.
- Step 3: Return cleaned bones to pot with charred onion, ginger, 3 whole star anise, 4 whole cloves, 1 cinnamon stick, 1 tbsp rock sugar, and 1 tbsp salt. Simmer gently, uncovered, for 3 hours, skimming foam occasionally.
- Step 4: After broth is done, strain through a fine sieve and keep hot. Prepare 8 oz rice noodles according to package instructions (usually soaking or boiling for 3-4 minutes), then drain.
- Step 5: To serve, divide noodles among 4 bowls. Top each with 2 oz thinly sliced raw beef sirloin. Ladle hot broth over beef and noodles to gently cook the beef.
- Step 6: Garnish each bowl with 1/4 cup bean sprouts, 2 tbsp fresh Thai basil, 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, and sliced green onions. Serve with lime wedges, hoisin sauce, and sriracha on the side for individual flavoring.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Rice Noodle Soup with Beef and Fresh Herbs take to make?
Total time is about 225 minutes (30 min prep + 195 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 Rice Noodle Soup with Beef 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 Rice Noodle Soup with Beef 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 Rice Noodle Soup with Beef 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 Rice Noodle Soup with Beef 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.
