Name: VIETNAMESE BEEF PHO NOODLE SOUP
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 80 min
Total time: 90 min
Ingredients: 5 pieces Beef bones ((4 lbs)); 1 piece Rock sugar ((around 2 tablespoons sugar)); 2 Onions ((1 and 1/2 in broth, save the other half and slices very thin when serving noodles)); 8 Star anise; 8 Clove; 3 sticks Cinnamon ((small)); 3 slices Ginger; 1/4 cup Fish sauce; 12 cups Water (( top stove cooking add 2 cups water)); Salt ((add to your taste)); 1 package Vietnamese rice noodles; 1-2 lbs Beef thin sliced; some Mints / Basil leaves; some Bean sprouts; 1 Lime; 1-2 Chili ((optional))

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Pho noodle soup is one of my favorite noodle soups. Not only the herbs and vegetables are fresh, but also the soup is healthy. Besides, this homemade beef pho Vietnamese noodle soup recipe has both instant pot and top stove methods. Also, instant pot pho noodle soup is the best to serve with an appetizer Vietnamese spring rolls.

Love noodle soup? Check out these laksa noodle soup, wonton noodle soup and braised beef ho fun noodle soup recipes.

What is Pho Noodle Soup?

Pho is a Vietnamese soup that consist of rice noodles, broth, meat and herbs. Besides, a raw sliced thin beef is cooked when hot pho soup pour over the noodle.

While the pho noodles soup is still hot, add sprout beans, basil or mints. Then, squeeze a little bit fresh lime juice over the beef pho soup before eating.

Some people like to add hoisin and chili sauce when they eat pho. In addition, you can use other cooked meats like chicken, pork or seafood.

Is pho noodle soup healthy?

Pho noodle soup is healthy because it has vegetables, herbs, noodle and meat. Besides, pho noodle soup is around 330-500 calories depends on the size and portion of meat and noodle.

What type of noodles are in pho?

A thick dried rice noodle often uses in pho noodle soup. You can find it easily at most of Asian stores and the name on the package is fresh pho noodles.

What veggies are served with pho noodle soup?

Most of pho noodle soup is served with a small dish that has mung beans sprouts, fresh basil, thin sliced jalapeño and a wedge of lime. You can also use mint and cilantro.

What are the ingredients for broth?

In fact, I have tried many times to make Vietnamese beef noodles soup before. Finally, I came out with this yummy beef broth pho noodles soup recipe. I try not to use too many and complicated ingredients.

Therefore, I only stick with the basic ingredients such as cinnamon sticks, ginger, onion, clove, star anise, rock sugar, fish sauce, beef bones and salt.

Cooking Tips for homemade Vietnamese pho noodle soup:

Broth:

I tried to compare pho soup using top stove and instant pot pressure cooker method. As a result, beef pho noodle soup has more flavor when using pressure cooker than regular top stove method.
If you use top stove boiling method, remember to add 2 more cups of water. After that, turn fire to small and simmering for at least 2 hours.

Noodles:

Cook noodle follow the package instructions
Don't over cook it
Drain and rinse under cold water

FAQs:

Can you leave pho broth out?

Yes, you can. But, it has to be cover the lid and reboil until it's completely boiling. Then, turn off fire and don't open the lid.

Can you refrigerate pho broth?

Of course you can refrigerate the broth. However, remove the bones and other ingredients and just refrigerate the broth.

How long can the broth last in refrigerator?

Pho broth soup can last in refrigerator for a few days up to 5 days.

Can you refrigerate rice noodles?

Yes, you can refrigerate rice noodles. But, it tastes the best when it's fresh cooked. Normally, I will refrigerate leftover rice noodles in a sealed container. Then, I will put the noodles in a microwave for couple minutes and pour the hot pho soup over.

Instructions for how to make instant pot pho:

1. Put beef bone, onions, rock sugar, cinnamon sticks, star anise, clove, ginger and water into the pressure cooker pot

2. Cover the lid and close the vent and manual for 80 mins and natural release.

3. Use an oil skimmer / strainer to remove the fat (you can buy a skimmer from amazon).

4. Add fish sauce and salt to your taste.

5. Cook noodle follow the package instructions.

6. After that, put cooked noodles in a bowl, and add meat and hot soup when is ready to serve.

Instructions for how to make beef pho noodle soup top stove method:

1. Put beef bone, onions, rock sugar, cinnamon sticks, star anise, clove, ginger and water (total 14 cups) into a big pot

2. Turn the fire to high until it boils. Then, turn to low and simmering for 2 hours

3. Use a oil skimmer/ strainer to remove the fat (you can buy a skimmer from amazon)

4. Add fish sauce and salt to your taste

5. Cook noodle follow the package instructions