↑
  • Recipes by Type
    • Recipe Index (Search)
    • All Recipes
    • Restaurant Copycat Recipes
    • Recipes by Method>>>
      • 30-Minute Meals
      • Air Fryer
      • Instant Pot
      • Slow Cooker
      • Meal Prep Bowls
      • Sheet Pan Dinners
      • One Pot Recipes
      • Freezer-Friendly
      • Grilling & BBQ
      • Stir Fries
      • Pasta
    • Recipes by Diet>>>
      • Kid-Friendly
      • Gluten-Free
      • Low Carb
      • High Protein
      • Whole 30
    • Recipes by Protein>>>
      • Chicken
      • Beef
      • Seafood
      • Vegetarian
    • Recipes by Holiday>>>
      • Game Day
      • Valentine’s Day
      • St Patrick’s Day
      • Easter
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
      • Christmas
    • Recipes by Season>>>
      • Winter Recipes
      • Spring Recipes
      • Summer Recipes
      • Fall Recipes
  • Recipes by Course
    • Appetizer
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner Ideas
    • Salads
    • Soups
    • Snacks
    • Side Dishes
    • Desserts
    • Dressings, Sauces & Spice Mixes
  • Resources
    • About Me
    • How to Meal Prep
    • Resource Guides
    • Contact Me
  • eBooks

The Girl on Bloor

Meal prep for busy people!

Start here Contact Privacy Policy
  • Recipes by Type
    • Recipe Index (Search)
    • All Recipes
    • Restaurant Copycat Recipes
    • Recipes by Method>>>
      • 30-Minute Meals
      • Air Fryer
      • Instant Pot
      • Slow Cooker
      • Meal Prep Bowls
      • Sheet Pan Dinners
      • One Pot Recipes
      • Freezer-Friendly
      • Grilling & BBQ
      • Stir Fries
      • Pasta
    • Recipes by Diet>>>
      • Kid-Friendly
      • Gluten-Free
      • Low Carb
      • High Protein
      • Whole 30
    • Recipes by Protein>>>
      • Chicken
      • Beef
      • Seafood
      • Vegetarian
    • Recipes by Holiday>>>
      • Game Day
      • Valentine’s Day
      • St Patrick’s Day
      • Easter
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
      • Christmas
    • Recipes by Season>>>
      • Winter Recipes
      • Spring Recipes
      • Summer Recipes
      • Fall Recipes
  • Recipes by Course
    • Appetizer
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner Ideas
    • Salads
    • Soups
    • Snacks
    • Side Dishes
    • Desserts
    • Dressings, Sauces & Spice Mixes
  • Resources
    • About Me
    • How to Meal Prep
    • Resource Guides
    • Contact Me
  • eBooks
Home » Recipes » Soups » Vietnamese-Inspired Beef Noodle Soup

Vietnamese-Inspired Beef Noodle Soup

3/3/22

Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe

Inspired by Vietnamese pho, this Americanized beef noodle soup combines rice noodles, beef and fresh herbs in a simple pantry-based beef broth.

Quick and Easy Homemade Pho

Ingredients and substitutions

  • Olive oil – or any other neutral cooking oil like grapeseed, canola or avocado oil.
  • Yellow onion – white onion or shallots would also work.
  • Garlic – fresh minced garlic provides the best flavour but the jarred variety is fine too.
  • Ginger – if you don’t have any fresh ginger, ground ginger will work in a pinch.
  • Soy sauce – tamari sauce or coconut aminos are the best substitute.
  • Lime juice – use freshly squeeze lime juice, bottled lime juice or even lemon juice.
  • Sriracha – use a spicy garlic chili sauce or leave this out if you don’t like spice.
  • Cinnamon – leave this out altogether.
  • Nutmeg – leave this out altogether.
  • Star anise – this adds a traditional pho flavour but you can leave it out if you can’t find any at the grocery store.
  • Beef broth – beef stock or vegetable broth would also work.
  • Sirloin steak – sliced chicken or tofu would also work here.
  • Rice noodles – use any noodles you want like spiralized zucchini noodles, soba noodles or pre-cooked chow mein noodles.
Quick and Easy Homemade Pho

How to make beef noodle soup

  1. Sauté the onion, garlic and ginger.
  2. Add in everything but the steak and noodles and simmer.
  3. Slice the steak thinly across the grain.
  4. Prepare any garnishes.
  5. Strain the broth.
  6. Add in the noodles, serve and enjoy!
This Americanized take on Vietnamese pho soup combines ingredients you can find in your pantry at home for a delicious soup with rice noodles, beef and fresh herbs #Pho #soup #beef

Making the beef broth

Most traditional pho broths, which this recipe is inspired by, have you simmering beef bones for several hours, along with onions, garlic, ginger and other spices. From there, you strain everything to have a clear beef broth left.

Gain access to my free 4-week meal prep magic ebook!

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription - in order to take part in the challenge you MUST press that confirm button! Check your "other" folder if you don't see that confirmation email. In the meantime, add me to your contacts to ensure that you receive my Challenge emails 🙂

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time. Powered by ConvertKit

Obviously, I've got nothing on real pho and this recipe, while inspired by the dish, is nothing like the traditional dish.

In this Americanized version, you'll use store bought beef broth as a major shortcut, and add a few extra spices and seasonings to get a quick version that has the same hints of flavour. From there, you'll add in cooked or raw beef, your noodles and the toppings. I also like to keep the cooked onions, garlic and ginger in there instead of infusing and straining for the extra flavor.

Quick and Easy Homemade Pho

Frequently Asked Questions

Is beef noodle soup the same as pho?

This beef noodle soup is an Americanized version of traditional Vietnamese pho. This is a much quicker and easier version because instead of simmering the beef bones, you’re using store-bought beef broth.

What kind of noodles should I use?

I like using rice noodles for this recipe but you can use any noodles you like or leave the noodles out altogether! Spiralized zucchini noodles, soba noodles or pre-cooked chow mein noodles would all be good in this recipe.

What is star anise?

Star anise is a dried seed pod from a fruit that has a mildly liquorice taste. Much like the cinnamon and nutmeg, star anise lends itself well to savoury flavours and will really make your soup shine. It’s one of the key flavours that you'll find in traditional Vietnamese pho and what makes this recipe inspired by that dish. It may be hard to find at your local grocery store. If it is available, it will likely be at a larger grocery store in the spice aisle. You should also be able to find it at most international or Asian grocers. And if all else fails, you can order some off Amazon!

Quick and Easy Homemade Pho

Storing and reheating this recipe

To store any leftovers, I highly recommend that you store the broth alone without any noodles, steak or toppings. This is to prevent the rice noodles from soaking up the broth, and so that you can easily reheat the soup without worrying about overcooking the veggies or beef.

You can store this beef noodle soup as directed above up to 5 days in the fridge. Add the noodles and beef to the broth before microwaving, then reheat for 2-3 minutes until hot. Add garnishes fresh to the leftover soup.

Freezing the broth

Unfortunately you can't freeze the noodles, beef or veggies, but you CAN freeze the broth! Just freeze in individual serving sizes in glass bowls with lids. The broth will keep for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, microwave the broth for 6-7 minutes, stirring halfway through. Add your beef, noodles and garnishes fresh and it's like a brand new meal!

Quick and Easy Homemade Pho

More cozy soup recipes

  • Golden Turmeric Lentil Soup
  • Miso Soup with Spicy Tofu
  • Soba Noodle Broth Bowls

Meal prep tools for this recipe

  • Order star anise if you can't find it at your local grocery store.
  • Grab some glass meal prep bowls if you plan on turning this recipe into leftovers.
  • I get all my grass-fed beef from Butcher Box, conveniently delivered to me frozen.
  • Freeze this recipe in glass microwave-safe bowls up to 3 months.
Quick and Easy Homemade Pho

Vietnamese-Inspired Beef Noodle Soup

Inspired by Vietnamese pho, this Americanized beef noodle soup combines rice noodles, beef and fresh herbs in a simple pantry-based beef broth.
4.7 from 98 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Soup
Cuisine: American, Vietnamese
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 572kcal
Author: Taylor Stinson

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 inch piece of ginger minced
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tbsp sriracha
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 2 star anise (optional)
  • 6 cups beef broth
  • 2 striploin steaks
  • 375 g rice noodles

Garnishes

  • fresh cilantro chopped
  • fresh basil (or Thai basil)
  • fresh mint
  • bean sprouts
  • green onions, sliced
  • lime cut into wedges

Instructions

  • Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pot with fitted lid on med-high heat. Saute onion, garlic and ginger for 2-3 min, until fragrant and softened.
  • Add soy sauce, lime juice, sriracha, cinnamon, nutmeg and star anise stirring to combine. Add broth, bringing to a boil. Simmer for 30 minutes with the lid on. During this time, garnishes can be chopped and prepared.
  • After preparing garnishes, slice steak very thinly across the grain and set aside with other garnishes. Optionally, you can sear steak for 1-2 minutes per side if you don't want to add the beef to the broth when it's raw (it will cook in the hot broth if sliced thinly enough).
  • Drain broth into a large pot using a mesh strainer, then put pot with broth back on high heat, bringing to a boil. Add rice noodles, cooking for 1-2 minutes. If possible, remove noodles from the broth to prevent them from soaking up the broth. This is especially important if you want leftovers – store the broth and noodles separately in this case.
  • Serve the soup in large bowls with noodles, broth, steak, and garnishes. Beef will cook as it sits in broth. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

Use chicken or tofu instead of steak for your protein.
Make sure to store your broth, beef and noodles separately.
Store this soup in the fridge for up to 5 days. Add the broth, beef and noodles together then microwave for 2-3 minutes.
You can freeze the broth for up to 3 months. Reheat from frozen for 6-7 minutes then add in fresh beef and noodles.

Nutrition

Calories: 572kcal | Carbohydrates: 83g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 34mg | Sodium: 2130mg | Potassium: 433mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 591IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 3mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @GirlonBloor or tag #girlonbloor!
Inspired by Vietnamese pho, this Americanized beef noodle soup combines rice noodles, beef and fresh herbs in a simple pantry-based beef broth. #vietnameseinspired #beefnoodlesoup Inspired by Vietnamese pho, this Americanized beef noodle soup combines rice noodles, beef and fresh herbs in a simple pantry-based beef broth. #vietnameseinspired #beefnoodlesoup

Previous article:
« Margherita Asparagus Stuffed Chicken {Low-Carb}
Next article:
DIY Flavoured Ice Cubes »

About Taylor Stinson

Hey there, my name's Taylor! I’m the founder of The Girl on Bloor, a food blog where I share healthy meal prep recipes for busy people. I'm a busy city girl living in downtown Toronto on (you guessed it!) Bloor Street. I've got 10 years experience meal prepping, along with a Master's degree in journalism, and you can find my work across the internet featured on publications such as Buzzfeed, HuffPost, Women's Health, Reader's Digest and more. I also run the awesome 5-Day Meal Prep Challenge, which is a free email course and Facebook group where I share my meal planning strategies and easy meal prep tips and recipes. Be sure to check out my free beginner’s guide to meal prep and follow me on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram to get my latest recipes and meal prep tips!

Comments

  1. Bon says

    April 13, 2022 at 12:15

    5 stars
    Great recipe thank you for sharing! This was my first time trying this. I followed the instructions as stated and it turned out great for me. I definitely recommend!

    Reply
  2. Monica says

    September 26, 2020 at 15:36

    Hi, how much curry paste is needed? For whatever reason I’m not seeing the amount. Would yellow curry paste work instead? Excited to try this recipe out!

    Reply
    • Taylor Stinson says

      September 28, 2020 at 08:53

      Hey Monica – I recently revamped this recipe and no red curry paste is needed in this version (it’s not traditionally used in pho). I’ve updated the blog post to reflect that, sorry for any confusion!

      Reply
    • Chanel says

      October 7, 2020 at 11:55

      I added a tablespoon of red curry paste along with the ingredients listed and the broth was so good. When I first found the recipe the curry paste was part of the recipe and I bought it just for this so I continue to use it.

      Reply
« Older Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Taylor Stinson

Oh hey there, welcome!!

I'm Taylor Stinson, a busy city girl living in downtown Toronto. Looking to switch up your weekly meal prep routine? I've got you covered with healthy recipes and meal planning resources. Join 1.5 million other monthly readers and dive in! MORE ABOUT ME..

Most Popular

Butternut Squash Chicken Curry

21+ Healthy Make Ahead Freezer Meals for Busy Weeknights

Iced Coffee Recipes

3 Iced Coffee Recipes: Caramel, Vanilla and Mocha

8 different Chicken breasts in a variety of Marinades, pictured in ziploc bags.

Best Chicken Marinades – 20+ Ways!

Korean Chicken Meal Prep Bowls

20+ Healthy Meal Prep Lunch Ideas for Work

Freezer-Friendly Mini Breakfast Pizzas

15+ Breakfast Meal Prep Ideas for Busy Mornings!

Hibachi Chicken

Perfect Hibachi Chicken {Benihana Copycat}

Gain access to my FREE five day meal prep challenge + bonus resources when you sign up.

learn how to meal prep by subscribing to our newsletter!

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

Fresh Spring Flavors!

Broccoli Salad {High Protein + Meal Prep}

Broccoli Salad {High Protein + Meal Prep}

Sashimi Tuna Salad with Carrot Ginger Dressing

Ahi Tuna Salad with Sesame Ginger Dressing

An overhead shot of 7 mason jars, each filled with a different smoothie.

The 7 Best Healthy Smoothies {Minimal Ingredients + Meal Prep Tips}

Build Your Own Buddha Bowl

Build Your Own Buddha Bowl {Vegan}

Meal Prep Yogurt Parfaits

Healthy Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits {Meal Prep}

Overnight Carrot Cake Oats

Carrot Cake Overnight Oats {Healthy + Meal Prep}

Copyright ©2022, The Girl on Bloor. All Rights Reserved.
Design by Pixel Me Designs

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites
MEAL PREP WITHOUT SPENDING HOURS IN YOUR KITCHEN
Join my free 5-Day Meal Prep Challenge for meal planning printables, access to my Facebook group, exclusive invites to live workshops & other free challenges!
YOUR NAME:
YOUR EMAIL: