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BBQing With The Nolands Baking Up Love

Soup Recipes

Noshing With the Nolands » Soup Recipes

Vietnamese Pho Recipe

By Tara Noland on January 9, 2025 | Updated November 6, 2024

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This delicious and aromatic noodle soup has gained popularity worldwide. Vietnamese Pho Recipe combines savory, spiced broth, flat rice noodles, tender meat, and fresh toppings. Whether you’re an experienced cook or just starting with foreign recipes, our guide will help you to bring the comforting taste of Vietnam soups into your own home.

Trying dishes from around the world is something exciting for food lovers. So, if you are looking for extra inspiration, why don’t you try this comforting Coconut Curry Soup with Wontons, Chinese Chicken Noodle Soup or this Easy Chicken Ramen?

Vietnamese Pho Recipe in a bowl.
What is Pho?

Pho is a traditional Vietnamese noodle soup consisting of a savory beef-y broth, rice noodles, and various toppings like thinly sliced beef, bean sprouts, and fresh herbs.

Why I Love This Recipe

  • Soooo delicious
  • Comforting
  • Change up from other soups
  • Healthy
  • Gluten-Free

Helpful Items For This Recipe

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small portion from qualifying purchases at no extra charge for you.

60 oz. Large Soup Bowl, Pho Bowls, Large Ramen Bowl, Set of 3

Asian Ceramic Soup Spoon, with Long Handle Easy to Hold

10 Pairs Fiberglass Chopsticks, Reusable

Lifting a piece of meat.

Ingredients for Vietnamese Pho Soup

Ingredients for Vietnamese Pho.

Lots of ingredients go into this Vietnamese Pho Recipe, but this is what gives pho so much flavor!!

Recipe Ingredients

Beef bones – Opt for bones with plenty of marrow for a richer broth.

Chuck roast – Adds tender, flavorful meat to the soup and enriches the broth during simmering. You can use brisket, too.

Onion – Charred onion enhances the broth’s sweetness and depth. Save also a quarter to add it fresh on top of the soup.

Ginger – It gives a characteristic fresh, slightly spicy flavor to the pho.

Star anise pods – A key spice that provides the sweet aroma of Vietnamese pho.

Cloves – They also give a sweet spiciness.

Cinnamon stick – Adds warmth and a hint of sweetness to balance the savory flavors.

Coriander seeds – Their citrusy flavor complements the other spices.

Salt – This is needed to enhance the flavors of this delicious soup.

Fish sauce – A staple of Vietnamese cooking. You can find it in Asian stores or in the Asian aisle of a grocery store.

Brown sugar – Another touch of sweetness. You can use any type of sugar you have on hand.

Water – Use filtered water for best results and for your health, depending on your state of tap water.

Flat rice noodles (pho noodles) – 3mm noodles are the ones I’ve used in this recipe.

Thinly sliced beef – You can choose any kind of lean, tender beef, such as tenderloin or sirloin.

Green onions – Add a fresh, slightly pungent flavor to complement the rich broth.

Cilantro, basil and mint – Fresh herbs are a must in Vietnamese Pho; don’t skip them.

Bean sprouts – They provide a crisp texture and a refreshing contrast to the warm soup.

Lime wedges – Squeezed over the pho, lime adds a tangy and refreshing flavor.

Chili slices – Optional but great for adding heat and a kick of flavor.

Pho Recipe Instructions

Vegetables, meat and bones before roasting.
Roasted meat, vegetables and bones.
Cooking Pho broth.

Preheat the oven to 400°F and place the beef bones, chuck roast, onion halves, and ginger on a baking sheet. Roast until they develop a nice charred, toasted surface, about 35-40 minutes. Check the onion and ginger after the 25-minute mark, as they may be ready before the bones and meat.

In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the star anise, cloves, cinnamon stick, and coriander seeds until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.

In a large pot, combine the roasted bones, chuck roast, charred onion and ginger, toasted spices, water, salt, and rock sugar. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 3-4 hours. Skim off any foam or impurities from the surface regularly.

Cooked chuck roast.
Pho broth after long cook.
Straining the Pho broth.

After one hour, remove the chuck roast. Chop it into thin slices and set it aside while you keep on cooking the beef broth.

Once the broth has simmered, strain it through a fine sieve to remove solids. Add fish sauce and adjust salt as needed.

Cook the flat rice noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Assembling Pho soup bowls.
Adding fresh ingredients to the bowls.
Adding hot broth.

To serve the bowls, thinly slice the raw beef. Then, divide the cooked noodles among them. Top with sliced raw meat, slices of cooked chuck roast, green onions, and bean sprouts.

Pour steaming hot broth over the beef and toppings in each bowl. Ensure the broth is very hot to cook the raw beef and soften the onion slices. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve with lime wedges on the side.

Vietnamese Pho broth.

What gives Pho its taste?

Beef Pho flavor is the result of a blend of beef bones, beef, and aromatic spices. Each element plays a key role that makes this Vietnamese noodle soup so popular.

What is the reason Vietnamese soup cooking time is so long?

Pho soup requires some time to develop its signature depth of flavor. The broth needs to simmer for several hours, but the hands-on preparation time is minimal.

Recipe Pro Tips!

Overhead picture of Pho.

Tips for the Perfect Vietnamese Pho

  • Opt for bones with plenty of marrow for a richer broth.
  • Don’t skip charring the aromatics and toasting the spices—these steps enhance the broth’s depth and aroma.
  • Add or omit garnishes based on your preferences. Popular options include jalapeño slices, fried shallots, or additional fresh herbs.
  • Pho broth can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
  • Other vegetables to include are baby bok choy, baby broccoli heads or stems, thinly sliced radish or thinly sliced cabbage or zucchini.
Overhead of Vietnamese Pho.

WANT MORE DELIGHTFUL ASIAN RECIPES?

We love making Asian meals in our home, and today’s post is one of our faves. Here are some more you may like also.

  • Bowl full of chicken ramen.

    Easy Chicken Ramen

  • Overhead close-up of moo shu pork in a cast iron pan with chopsticks on the side.

    Moo Shu Pork

  • Vegetable Tempura on a plate with chopsticks and dipping sauce.

    Vegetable Tempura

  • Orange Chicken over rice on a black plate.

    Easy Orange Chicken Recipe

Pin it HERE!!

Vietnamese Pho Recipe Pin.

Pin it HERE!!

Vietnamese Pho Recipe Pin.

Vietnamese Pho Recipe

Tara Noland
Learn to make this flavorful and rich Vietnamese Pho Soup in simple steps. It will be a go-to recipe that you can enjoy at any time of the year.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Save Recipe Saved! Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes mins
Cook Time 4 hours hrs
Total Time 4 hours hrs 30 minutes mins
Course Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine Asian
Servings 4 servings
Calories 696 kcal

Video

Ingredients
 

For the Beef Broth

  • 2.5 lb beef bones
  • 1 lb chuck roast
  • 1 onion halved
  • 1 large piece of ginger halved lengthwise
  • 6 star anise pods
  • 4 cloves
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 1/2 tbsp coriander seeds
  • 1/2 tbsp salt adjust to taste
  • 2 tbsp fish sauce
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 3 quarts water

To assembly the bowls

  • 14 oz pho noodles flat rice noodles (3mm)
  • 0.5 lb thinly sliced beef sirloin
  • 1 shallot sliced
  • 3 green onions sliced
  • 1 handful cilantro and mint
  • 1/2 cup bean sprouts
  • 1 lime cut into wedges
  • 1 red chili thinly sliced

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F and place the beef bones, chuck roast, onion halves, and ginger on a baking sheet. Roast until they develop a nice charred, toasted surface, about 35-40 minutes. Check the onion and ginger after the 25-minute mark, as they may be ready before the bones and meat.
  • In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the star anise, cloves, cinnamon stick, and coriander seeds until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
  • In a large pot, combine the roasted bones, chuck roast, charred onion and ginger, toasted spices, water, salt, and rock sugar. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 3-4 hours. Skim off any foam or impurities from the surface regularly. After one hour, remove the chuck roast. Chop it into thin slices and set it aside while you keep on cooking the beef broth.
  • Once the broth is ready, strain it through a fine sieve to remove solids. Add fish sauce and adjust salt as needed.
    Cook the flat rice noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  • To serve the bowls, thinly slice the raw beef. Then, divide the cooked noodles among them. Top with sliced raw meat, slices of cooked chuck roast, green onions, and bean sprouts.
  • Pour steaming hot broth over the beef and toppings in each bowl. Ensure the broth is very hot to cook the raw beef and soften the onion slices. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve with lime wedges on the side.

Equipment

60 oz Large Soup Bowl, Pho Bowls, Large Ramen Bowl Set of 3
60 oz Large Soup Bowl, Pho Bowls, Large Ramen Bowl Set of 3
Ceramic Soup Spoon, with Long Handle Easy to Hold
Ceramic Soup Spoon, with Long Handle Easy to Hold
10 Pairs Fiberglass Chopsticks, Reusable
10 Pairs Fiberglass Chopsticks, Reusable

Notes

See the post for additional information, pictures and tips. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 696kcalCarbohydrates: 97gProtein: 40gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 109mgSodium: 1928mgPotassium: 850mgFiber: 5gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 300IUVitamin C: 28mgCalcium: 135mgIron: 6mg
Nutrition calculation is an estimation only. If you need nutritional calculations for medical reasons, please use a source that you trust.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!


 

 

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posted in: Beef, Dinner, Gluten Free, Lunch, Popular Posts, Soup Recipes

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    Comments & Reviews

  1. Tara Noland says

    January 20, 2025

    We didn’t make a demi sauce???? It is a clear beef broth as you can see.

    Reply
  2. Susan says

    February 13, 2017

    Looks great! I love to make Pho, but have never used these noodles. Now I’m on a mission to find them!

    Reply
  3. Dogvills says

    February 9, 2017

    It looks delicious and healthy! Thank you for the recipe.

    Reply
  4. Brianne says

    February 8, 2017

    This looks so yummy! I love pho soup!

    Reply
  5. melissa says

    February 8, 2017

    I’ve never tried PHO and now I am beyond excited to try it- especially since now I have your delicious recipe! I can’t wait to create this in my kitchen- thanks for sharing your foodie goodness!

    Reply
  6. Toni | Boulder Locavore says

    February 8, 2017

    I would love this for dinner tonight! It looks SO comforting!

    Reply
  7. Dawn Lopez says

    February 8, 2017

    This looks like such a colorful and tasty soup! I’ve never tried Pho before but this seems like an easy recipe to try out.

    Reply
  8. Jonna says

    February 7, 2017

    I love trying different foods and this looks absolutely delicious!! I can’t wait to try it, seriously looks like the flavors jump out of the picture, I’m so hungry right now!!

    Reply
  9. Alicia says

    February 7, 2017

    I’ve never had this before but it looks great! Thanks for sharing the recipe so I can make it at home.

    Reply
  10. Adelina Priddis says

    February 7, 2017

    Mm, this looks similar to the udon we ate in Japan. I’ll have to try it for sure!

    Reply
  11. Lisa Bristol says

    February 7, 2017

    I will have to look for House Foods Products when I go shopping this week. I am excited to try this recipe.

    Reply
  12. Elizabeth Lampman says

    February 7, 2017

    This soup looks so delicious and easy to make. I will have to get the ingredients I need to make some this week.

    Reply
  13. Olivia douglass says

    February 7, 2017

    I’ve never tried a soup like this but am willing to give it a whirl. Thanks for the recipe and dinner idea!

    Reply
  14. Amy Desrosiers says

    February 7, 2017

    I have never tried Pho soup before but I am inspired to do so now. Wow, does it look so vibrant!

    Reply
  15. Dawn McAlexander says

    February 7, 2017

    I have never tried any Vietnamese food before. This sounds like a great place to start. I do love soups, no matter what nationality they came from.

    Reply
  16. Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says

    February 7, 2017

    That looks as good as it sounds! I love the colors, and I love the flavors!

    Reply
  17. Diana Rambles says

    February 7, 2017

    I love Pho, but have never made it myself. I will have to make it with these noodles.

    Reply
  18. Brett Beyer says

    February 7, 2017

    I tried to make Pho’ so many times, but the noodles I get just aren’t right!

    Maybe I should have asked you, first!

    Reply

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