Description
This Vietnamese Beef Pho recipe is a comforting, deeply aromatic noodle soup built from roasted bones and fragrant spices. It’s perfect for a cozy weekend dinner or whenever you’re craving something both hearty and fresh. With tender beef slices, rich broth, and vibrant garnishes, it’s a must-try for anyone looking for authentic dinner ideas, a healthy soup, or an easy recipe that feels like a warm hug. Great for food ideas that feel like travel in a bowl.
Ingredients
3 pounds beef bones (knuckle and marrow)
1 large onion, halved
4-inch piece of ginger, sliced
3 star anise
4 whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick
1 tablespoon coriander seeds
1 tablespoon rock sugar or palm sugar
1 tablespoon fish sauce (more to taste)
10 cups water
8 ounces dried banh pho rice noodles
1/2 pound eye of round or sirloin, thinly sliced
1 cup bean sprouts
1 handful Thai basil
1 lime, cut into wedges
1 jalapeño, sliced
Hoisin sauce and Sriracha, for serving
Instructions
1. Char onion and ginger under a broiler or flame until blackened.
2. Parboil the beef bones for 10 minutes, rinse to remove impurities.
3. Toast star anise, cloves, cinnamon, and coriander in a dry pan until fragrant.
4. Add bones, charred aromatics, toasted spices, fish sauce, sugar, and water to a large pot. Simmer for at least 6 hours.
5. Soak noodles in warm water for 30 minutes, then cook just until tender.
6. To serve, divide cooked noodles among bowls and top with raw beef slices.
7. Ladle hot broth over the beef to cook it instantly.
8. Top with sprouts, herbs, jalapeños, and squeeze lime to taste. Add sauces as desired.
Notes
Parboiling bones is key for a clear, clean broth.
Slice beef super thin—partially freezing it first helps.
Always taste and adjust fish sauce and sugar before serving.
- Prep Time: 25 mins
- Cook Time: 6 hrs
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Vietnamese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: easy dinner, beef pho, Vietnamese soup, healthy soup, noodle recipe