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

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A fragrant beef broth simmered with star anise and spices, served with tender rice noodles, thinly sliced beef, and fresh herbs for an aromatic Vietnamese-inspired soup. This vietnamese-inspired soups ready in about 270 minutes pairs beef bones, water, whole star anise 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: 30 min Cook: 240 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Char 1 large yellow onion and a 3-inch piece of ginger under a broiler, turning until blackened on all sides, about 10 minutes. Rinse and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In a large pot, add 2 lbs beef bones and 10 cups water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Drain bones and rinse pot to remove impurities.
  3. Step 3: Return bones to pot with charred onion, ginger, 3 whole star anise, and 1 large cinnamon stick. Simmer gently uncovered for 4 hours, skimming foam occasionally.
  4. Step 4: After simmering, strain broth through a fine sieve. Stir in 3 tbsp fish sauce and 1 tbsp white sugar. Keep broth hot.
  5. Step 5: Soak 8 oz rice noodles in hot water for 15 minutes until pliable, then drain.
  6. Step 6: Thinly slice 8 oz sirloin steak against the grain.
  7. Step 7: To serve, divide noodles between bowls, top with raw beef slices, and ladle hot broth over to cook the beef. Garnish with 1 cup bean sprouts, 1/2 cup Thai basil, 1/4 cup cilantro, lime wedges, and jalapeño slices.

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Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 270 minutes (30 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 Rice Noodle Soup with Beef and Star Anise?

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 Star Anise?

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 Star Anise 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 Star Anise?

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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