Pho Bo (Beef Noodle Soup)

(9)
  • Minutes to Prepare:
  • Number of Servings: 4
Ingredients
6 cups beef broth 1 (1/4-inch thick) slice ginger 2 whole star anise1 cinnamon stick 1/2 pound piece boneless beef sirloin, trimmed of any fat 3 ounces dried flat rice noodles 1/4 cup Asian fish sauce1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 cup fresh bean sprouts, rinsed and drained 1/8 cup minced scallions 1/4 cup fresh cilantro sprigs, washed and finely chopped 1 small thin fresh red or green Asian chilie, sliced very thin 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves Lime wedges for garnish
Directions
In a 2 quart saucepan bring broth, ginger, star anise, and cinnamon to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.

With a very sharp knife cut sirloin across the grain into very thin slices.

In a large bowl soak noodles in hot water to cover 15 minutes, or until softened and pliable.

While noodles are soaking, bring a kettle of salted water to a boil for noodles. Drain noodles in a colander and cook in boiling water, stirring 45 seconds, or until tender. Drain noodles in a colander. Set aside.

Strain broth into saucepan and bring to a boil. Stir in fish sauce, salt and pepper. Add sirloin and sprouts and cook 30 to 45 seconds, or until sirloin changes color. Skim any froth from soup.

To serve, divide noodles into 4 bowls. Ladle soup over noodles. Sprinkle scallion greens, cilantro, chilies and basil over soup and serve with lime wedges


Number of Servings: 4

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user KYLEECHRIS.

Servings Per Recipe: 4
Nutritional Info Amount Per Serving
  • Calories: 187.4
  • Total Fat: 5.8 g
  • Cholesterol: 50.4 mg
  • Sodium: 2,312.3 mg
  • Total Carbs: 9.6 g
  • Dietary Fiber: 1.7 g
  • Protein: 23.9 g

Member Reviews
  • JONNA81
    Most of your sodium comes from the broth, if you use a low-sodium broth that would work. I would not recommend using a sodium free broth only because the taste would not be the same. Hope it helps! Try it again! YUMMY!!! - 8/30/09
  • UNEEKNITTER
    I didn't use the cinnamon, but basically did what this recipe said and I have had this at restaurants and it is just as good. Try it with homemade meatballs for a change in meat. - 1/27/09
  • 4CONNIESHEALTH
    didn't use cinnamon. But very good! - 7/2/21
  • JIACOLO
    I have made this several times - 6/26/21
  • ROSSYFLOSSY
    Delicious soup recipe. - 3/5/21
  • KITTYHAWK1949
    thought it very good - 11/26/20
  • ELRIDDICK
    Thanks for sharing - 7/20/20
  • 1CRAZYDOG
    Did use the low sodium broth and cut the amt. of fish sauce and that helped reduce the salt. - 1/18/20
  • PATRICIAANN46
    Excellent...……………. - 10/16/19
  • NASFKAB
    Great idea - 8/10/19
  • BILLTHOMSON
    Very delicious and my first attempt to make this type of soup - 1/30/19
  • CHERIRIDDELL
    I loved it! - 12/14/17
  • LLCURTS
    where do you ger star anise? is it a fresh herb or spice or is it a seasoning? - 7/31/13
  • PATTURENNE
    Actually, a lot of the sodium comes from the fish sauce! 1 tablespoon of fish sauce = 1,270 mg of sodium and this recipe calls for 1/4 cup. Unfortunately, a great deal of that wonderful flavour also comes from the fish sauce... - 2/17/12
  • SVANBAKEL
    Made this tonight for my husband and a friend, we all thought it was awesome!! - 12/4/10
  • TRAPEZEGAL
    This was comparable to our favorite vietnamese restaurant. Very yummy! - 2/11/10
  • ROSEYWINTER
    wow i never knew there was so much sodium in pho! ;_; is there any way to cut back? i love pho and wanna make it, lol. but i need to watch my sodium... - 7/1/09
  • UNFOCUSEDSPACE
    Love this soup -- such an unusual flavor. I used chicken instead. - 3/28/09