Low Fat Pho Bo (Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup)

Indulge in the comforting flavors of Low Fat Pho Bo, a lightened-up version of the beloved Vietnamese beef noodle soup. This recipe captures the authentic essence of pho with a deeply aromatic beef broth infused with charred onion, ginger, and warming spices like cinnamon, star anise, and cloves—yet keeps it low in fat by using lean beef sirloin and minimal oil. Tender rice noodles and paper-thin slices of beef are cooked to perfection in the piping-hot broth, while a vibrant medley of fresh herbs, bean sprouts, scallions, and lime juice adds layers of freshness and texture. Perfect for a wholesome, guilt-free meal, this recipe is a must-try for fans of healthy Vietnamese cuisine. Serve it with a touch of red chili for an optional spicy kick!

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:80 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 300 grams Lean beef sirloin
• 200 grams Rice noodles
• 1 large Onion
• 30 grams Fresh ginger
• 1 piece Cinnamon stick
• 2 pieces Star anise
• 4 pieces Whole cloves
• 1500 ml Beef broth
• 2 tablespoons Fish sauce
• 1 teaspoon Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 medium Fresh lime
• 1 bunch Fresh basil
• 1 bunch Fresh cilantro
• 1 bunch Fresh mint
• 100 grams Bean sprouts
• 2 pieces Sliced scallions
• 1 piece Red chili
• 1 teaspoon Black peppercorns

Directions

Step 1

Begin by charring the onion and ginger. Cut the onion in half and slice the ginger into thick slices. Place both directly on an open flame or in a dry pan over high heat until charred. This should take about 5 minutes.

Step 2

Once charred, rinse and peel the charred skin off the onion and ginger.

Step 3

In a large pot, combine the charred onion, ginger, cinnamon stick, star anise, whole cloves, and black peppercorns. Pour in the beef broth and bring to a boil.

Step 4

Reduce the heat to low and let the broth simmer uncovered for about 45 minutes to an hour. This allows the spices and aromatics to infuse the broth.

Step 5

While the broth is simmering, prepare the rice noodles according to the package instructions. Set aside.

Step 6

Thinly slice the lean beef sirloin across the grain into paper-thin slices, approximately 2-3mm thick.

Step 7

Once the broth has simmered, strain it into another pot, removing all the solids. Return the strained broth to the stove.

Step 8

Season the broth with fish sauce, sugar, and salt. Adjust to taste if necessary.

Step 9

To assemble the Pho, divide the cooked rice noodles into bowls and top each with slices of raw beef.

Step 10

Pour the hot broth over the beef and noodles. The heat from the broth will cook the beef slightly.

Step 11

Garnish each bowl with bean sprouts, fresh basil, cilantro, mint, sliced scallions, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.

Step 12

Optionally, add slices of red chili for an extra kick and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2621.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1227.9

Total Fat 37.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 14.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3g
Cholesterol 225mg	0%
Sodium 11250.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 110.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 18.8g	0%
Total Sugars 22.3g
Protein 117.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 587.9mg	0%
Iron 25.6mg	0%
Potassium 3473.9mg	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: 27.0%

Protein: 37.5%

Carbs: 35.5%