Faux Pho Bo Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup

Craving the comforting warmth of a classic Vietnamese beef noodle soup but short on time? This Faux Pho Bo Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup delivers all the aromatic, spiced goodness of traditional pho in just 45 minutes! Infused with the rich flavors of star anise, cinnamon, and ginger, this quick and easy recipe uses a fragrant beef broth base paired with tender rice noodles and thinly sliced beef sirloin that cooks instantly in the steaming broth. Topped with fresh herbs like cilantro and Thai basil, crisp bean sprouts, and a squeeze of lime, it’s a customizable, restaurant-quality dish you can make right at home. Perfect for weeknight dinners or when you’re in the mood for something both hearty and refreshing, this simplified pho recipe is a time-saving twist on an authentic Vietnamese favorite!

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 8 cups beef broth (low sodium)
• 2 cups water
• 4 whole star anise
• 1 whole cinnamon stick
• 2 inches fresh ginger (sliced thinly)
• 4 whole cloves
• 3 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 8 ounces rice noodles
• 12 ounces beef sirloin or ribeye (thinly sliced)
• 2 cups bean sprouts
• 0.5 cup fresh cilantro (chopped)
• 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves
• 0.5 cup green onions (sliced finely)
• 1 whole fresh lime (cut into wedges)
• 0.25 cup hoisin sauce
• 0.25 cup sriracha sauce
• 1 whole jalapeño or chili peppers (sliced thinly)
• 0 to taste salt

Directions

Step 1

In a large pot, combine the beef broth and water. Add the star anise, cinnamon stick, sliced ginger, and cloves. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat.

Step 2

Reduce the heat to low, cover, and allow the broth to simmer for 20 minutes to infuse the spices.

Step 3

While the broth simmers, soak the rice noodles according to the package instructions until they are soft but not overcooked. Drain and set aside.

Step 4

Once the broth has simmered, use a slotted spoon to remove the star anise, cinnamon stick, ginger slices, and cloves. Stir in the fish sauce and sugar. Adjust the seasoning with salt to taste.

Step 5

Prepare the beef by slicing it very thinly (this is easier if the beef is partially frozen). Set it aside.

Step 6

To assemble, divide the softened rice noodles equally among serving bowls.

Step 7

Top each bowl of noodles with a handful of bean sprouts, a few slices of thinly cut beef, and a sprinkle of chopped cilantro, basil leaves, and green onions.

Step 8

Ladle the hot broth over the noodles and beef in each bowl. The heat from the broth will cook the thin slices of beef instantly.

Step 9

Garnish each serving with lime wedges, hoisin sauce, sriracha sauce, and sliced jalapeños or chili peppers as desired.

Step 10

Serve immediately with additional toppings on the side for customization.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3909.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1836.1

Total Fat 81.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 28.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.2g
Cholesterol 240.1mg	0%
Sodium 10360.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 188.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 32.1g	0%
Total Sugars 55.3g
Protein 114.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1030.2mg	0%
Iron 45.0mg	0%
Potassium 3980.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 37.6%

Protein: 23.5%

Carbs: 38.8%