Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Spiced Beef Soup

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A fragrant beef broth infused with star anise and cinnamon, served with tender slices of beef and fresh herbs for a taste of classic Vietnamese pho at home. This vietnamese-inspired soups ready in about 270 minutes pairs beef bones, water, large onion, halved and charred for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.

Prep: 30 min Cook: 240 min Serves 6 Vietnamese cuisine 320 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, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes. Drain and rinse bones to remove impurities.
  2. Step 2: Return bones to cleaned pot with 12 cups fresh water, 1 large halved and charred onion, 3-inch sliced and charred ginger, 4 whole star anise, 1 cinnamon stick, 4 whole cloves, and 3 cardamom pods. Simmer gently for at least 4 hours, skimming foam occasionally.
  3. Step 3: After simmering, strain the broth through a fine mesh sieve into a clean pot. Stir in 3 tbsp fish sauce and 1 tbsp rock sugar. Keep broth hot.
  4. Step 4: Soak 8 oz rice noodles in warm water for 20 minutes until pliable. Drain.
  5. Step 5: To serve, divide noodles among bowls. Top with thin slices of 1/2 lb sirloin steak and pour hot broth over to cook meat. Garnish with 1 cup bean sprouts, 1/2 cup fresh Thai basil leaves, 3 thinly sliced scallions, sliced jalapeños, and lime wedges on the side.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Spiced Beef Soup 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 Spiced 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 Spiced 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 Spiced Beef Soup 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 Spiced Beef Soup?

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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