If you’re craving the uplifting flavors of Vietnamese cuisine Main Course. With its aromatic broth, silky rice noodles, and melt-in-your-mouth beef, this dish transforms a handful of simple ingredients into a bowl of pure comfort in just 30 minutes. Whether you’re new to homemade pho or a weeknight dinner pro, this recipe guarantees a vibrant, steaming noodle soup that dazzles the senses and leaves you reaching for chopsticks again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What makes this Quick & Easy Pho shine is how each ingredient packs a punch of flavor, yet the list is refreshingly simple. These basics are chosen to balance savory, sweet, and herbal notes in every comforting spoonful.
- Low-sodium beef broth: The base of your pho, providing rich umami flavor while letting you control the saltiness.
- Fish sauce: Adds classic Vietnamese depth and a hint of that savory, addictive tang.
- Soy sauce: Boosts the broth’s color and complexity—look for a good-quality soy sauce for maximum impact.
- Cinnamon stick: Infuses warm, sweet-spice undertones that make the broth truly aromatic.
- Star anise: Delivers that unmistakable licorice note essential for authentic pho.
- Fresh ginger (sliced): Sliced ginger offers spicy brightness and balances the richness of the broth.
- Garlic (smashed): Gives the soup earthy undertones and a subtle kick.
- Rice noodles (banh pho or flat rice noodles): These become silky and tender—the noodle foundation of your bowl.
- Thinly sliced beef sirloin or flank steak: Cooks instantly in the hot broth for tender, juicy bites.
- Bean sprouts: Adds crunch and freshness that livens up the soup.
- Fresh basil leaves: Classic pho garnish for herbal aroma and bright, peppery flavor.
- Fresh cilantro: Infuses the bowl with unmistakable green vibrance and bold taste.
- Sliced green onions: Bring gentle heat and color to every bowl.
- Lime (cut into wedges): A quick squeeze brings all the flavors together with zesty brightness.
- Small chili pepper (optional): For those who like things extra spicy, slice and add to taste.
- Hoisin sauce & sriracha: Set on the side for drizzling and dipping as you enjoy.
How to Make Quick & Easy Pho
Step 1: Simmer the Flavorful Broth
Start by pouring your low-sodium beef broth into a large pot and bring it to a gentle simmer. Add the fish sauce, soy sauce, cinnamon stick, star anise, sliced ginger, and smashed garlic. Let this mixture simmer uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, giving the spices and aromatics time to work their magic—your kitchen will smell incredible! The longer you let the broth bubble, the richer and more fragrant it becomes, so don’t rush this stage.
Step 2: Prepare the Noodles
While the broth is simmering and infusing with all those wonderful spices, cook your rice noodles according to the package instructions. Drain them well, then set them aside. Rice noodles are incredibly forgiving, but you want them soft with a tiny bit of bite—they’ll continue to soak up hot broth later, so avoid overcooking.
Step 3: Slice the Beef
Take your sirloin or flank steak and slice it as thinly as you can, against the grain. The thinner the slices, the more tender and flavorful they’ll be when gently cooked in the hot broth later. A tip: slightly freezing the meat first makes it much easier to slice super thin.
Step 4: Strain the Broth
Once your broth has reached flavor perfection, strain out the spices, ginger, and garlic to ensure a beautifully clear soup. Return the strained broth to the pot and keep it hot—it needs to be almost boiling to cook the beef instantly in the bowl.
Step 5: Assemble and Serve Your Quick & Easy Pho
Divide the cooked rice noodles among four bowls, then artfully arrange the thin slices of raw beef on top. Carefully ladle the steaming broth over the beef—it will cook in seconds, turning tender and rosy. Pile the bowls high with bean sprouts, basil, cilantro, green onions, and lime wedges. If you love some heat, toss in those chili slices. Bring hoisin sauce and sriracha to the table for the final, customizable flourish.
How to Serve Quick & Easy Pho
Garnishes
Traditional pho is never complete without a mountain of fresh garnishes! Bean sprouts, basil, cilantro, and green onions each add their own burst of flavor, crunch, and color. Lime wedges provide that signature zing, while a few slices of fresh chili pepper let everyone customize their bowl to their liking. Don’t forget the hoisin and sriracha—mix them together or dip each bite for a hit of umami and spice.
Side Dishes
This Quick & Easy Pho is a show-stopper on its own, but if you want to round out your meal, consider serving it with crispy Vietnamese spring rolls or a simple cucumber salad dressed in rice vinegar. These cool, crunchy sides are great for balancing the hearty, warming noodles and make your mealtime feel extra special—no takeout menu required!
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re entertaining or feeling playful, set up a DIY pho bar: set out bowls of noodles and sliced beef, keep the hot broth in a large pitcher or soup pot, and arrange all the garnishes and sauces buffet-style. Let guests build their own bowls! You can also swap in pre-cooked chicken or tofu for a protein twist, or arrange your beef slices in fun patterns for a little dinnertime art.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover pho broth and cooked noodles separately to keep everything fresh and prevent the noodles from soaking up too much broth. Keep garnishes like herbs, lime, and sprouts in airtight containers in the fridge. Assemble just before eating and your Quick & Easy Pho will taste just as lively as the day you made it.
Freezing
The spiced pho broth freezes beautifully, making it perfect for batch cooking. Let the broth cool, pour into airtight freezer containers, and freeze for up to three months. Rice noodles and fresh garnishes are best made fresh, so only freeze the broth and add everything else when you’re ready to serve.
Reheating
Reheat the frozen or refrigerated pho broth on the stovetop until it’s bubbling hot—this is important for gently cooking your thinly sliced beef to perfection. Warm the noodles by quickly dipping them into boiling water, then build your bowl as usual with all the garnishes and sauces.
FAQs
Can I use chicken broth instead of beef broth?
Absolutely! Chicken broth creates a lighter, slightly sweeter pho that’s still delicious and packed with Vietnamese flavors. Just swap it in at the same ratio and continue with the Quick & Easy Pho recipe as written—your kitchen will smell amazing either way!
How do I make this pho gluten-free?
This recipe is easily made gluten-free by ensuring your soy sauce and fish sauce are certified gluten-free brands. All the other ingredients are naturally gluten-free, especially when you use traditional rice noodles.
Is there a vegetarian version of Quick & Easy Pho?
You can create a satisfying vegetarian pho by using a rich vegetable broth and omitting the fish sauce (replace it with a dash of extra soy sauce or some mushroom seasoning). Top with tofu, mushrooms, and even extra greens for a nourishing veggie-friendly bowl.
What’s the best way to slice beef super thin?
The trick is placing your beef in the freezer for about 20 minutes before slicing. This firms it up just enough to make ultra-thin, even slices, which cook perfectly once the hot broth is poured over them.
Can I make Quick & Easy Pho ahead of time for meal prep?
Definitely! The broth can be made days in advance and refrigerated or frozen. Cook your noodles fresh when ready to eat, and keep your garnishes chopped and ready in the fridge for quick assembly during the week.
Final Thoughts
Once you try this Quick & Easy Pho, you’ll wonder why you ever settled for takeout or waited hours for restaurant reservations. It’s the perfect cozy dinner for busy nights and a delight to share with friends or family. Give it a try this week—you may just discover your new favorite tradition!
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Quick & Easy Pho Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
A delicious and quick recipe for homemade Vietnamese pho, a flavorful noodle soup that’s perfect for a cozy night in. This easy version cuts down on traditional prep time but doesn’t skimp on taste!
Ingredients
- 6 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 whole star anise
- 1-inch piece fresh ginger (sliced)
- 2 cloves garlic (smashed)
- 8 oz rice noodles (banh pho or flat rice noodles)
- 8 oz thinly sliced beef sirloin or flank steak
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves
- ½ cup fresh cilantro
- ½ cup sliced green onions
- 1 lime (cut into wedges)
- 1 small chili pepper (sliced, optional)
- hoisin sauce and sriracha (for serving)
For the broth:
For the noodles and toppings:
Instructions
- Prepare the broth: In a large pot, bring the beef broth to a simmer. Add fish sauce, soy sauce, cinnamon stick, star anise, ginger, and garlic. Let simmer for 15–20 minutes to infuse flavors.
- Cook the noodles: Meanwhile, cook the rice noodles according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.
- Prepare the beef: Thinly slice the beef against the grain.
- Assemble the pho: Strain the broth to remove solids and return the clear broth to the pot. To serve, divide the noodles among bowls and top with raw beef slices. Ladle the hot broth over the beef to cook it. Garnish with bean sprouts, basil, cilantro, green onions, lime wedges, and chili slices. Serve with hoisin sauce and sriracha on the side.
Notes
- For a quicker version, you can use pre-cooked beef or rotisserie chicken.
- Adjust seasoning with more fish sauce or lime to taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Vietnamese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
