Whole30 Authentic Vietnamese Beef Pho

Warm your soul with this Whole30 Authentic Vietnamese Beef Pho, a clean-eating twist on the beloved classic. Crafted with rich, aromatic beef bone broth simmered for hours, this recipe captures the essence of traditional Vietnamese pho while staying entirely Whole30-compliant. Charred onion and ginger, toasted spices like star anise and cinnamon, and fish sauce combine to create a deeply flavorful base that's both comforting and invigorating. Topped with thinly sliced steak, fresh herbs, crunchy bean sprouts, and bright lime, each bowl is a customizable masterpiece. Ideal for family dinners or meal prep, this hearty yet nourishing dish brings the authentic taste of Vietnam to your kitchen without compromising on your health goals. Perfect for Whole30 enthusiasts, lovers of Vietnamese cuisine, or anyone seeking a gluten-free, paleo-friendly meal.

Nutriscore Rating: 60/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:240 mins

Total Time:270 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 pounds beef marrow bones
• 1 pound beef shank (osso buco)
• 1 large onion
• 3 inches ginger
• 4 whole star anise
• 4 whole cloves
• 1 large cinnamon stick
• 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
• 3 tablespoons fish sauce (Whole30 compliant)
• 2 teaspoons sea salt
• 1 large carrot
• 16 cups water
• 1 pound sirloin or eye of round steak
• 2 cups bean sprouts
• 1 bunch fresh basil
• 1 bunch fresh cilantro
• 2 whole limes
• 1 optional jalapeno
• 1 small white onion

Directions

Step 1

Begin by charring the onion and ginger. Place the onion (halved) and ginger (sliced lengthwise) on a baking sheet. Broil on high for about 10 minutes, turning occasionally until all sides are charred. Set aside.

Step 2

In a large stockpot, submerge the beef marrow bones and beef shank in water. Bring to a boil for 10 minutes, then drain and rinse the bones and beef to remove any impurities.

Step 3

In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the star anise, cloves, cinnamon stick, and coriander seeds until fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.

Step 4

In the cleaned stockpot, combine the rinsed bones and beef shank, charred onion, charred ginger, toasted spices, carrot, sea salt, and fish sauce. Add 16 cups of water to cover.

Step 5

Bring the broth to a boil, then reduce heat, and simmer uncovered for at least 3 hours, ideally up to 4 hours, skimming off any foam or excess fat that rises to the top.

Step 6

After simmering, remove and discard the solids (onion, ginger, spices, and bones). Strain the broth through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a clean pot.

Step 7

Taste and adjust the broth seasoning with additional salt or fish sauce if needed.

Step 8

Thinly slice the sirloin or eye of round steak across the grain and set aside.

Step 9

To serve, bring the broth back to a gentle boil. In bowls, place raw sliced meat, then ladle the hot broth over to cook it gently.

Step 10

Serve the pho with a plate of garnishes: bean sprouts, fresh basil, fresh cilantro, lime wedges, and thinly sliced jalapeno (if using) and small white onion rings.

Step 11

Enjoy your Whole30 Authentic Vietnamese Beef Pho, adjusting the add-ins as desired by each diner.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(5574.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	7547.1

Total Fat 773.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 333.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g
Cholesterol 1079.5mg	0%
Sodium 5016.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 90.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 28.0g	0%
Total Sugars 26.0g
Protein 82.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 825.2mg	0%
Iron 23.3mg	0%
Potassium 2139.3mg	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: 90.9%

Protein: 4.3%

Carbs: 4.7%