• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Almond Eater logo

  • Recipes
  • Recipes
    • Recipes by Course
      • Breakfast
      • Lunch
      • Dinner
      • Desserts
      • Drinks
      • Snacks
      • Sides
    • Recipes by Diet
      • Vegetarian
      • Dairy Free
      • Gluten Free
      • Vegan
      • Mediterranean Diet
      • Paleo
      • Whole30
  • Meet Erin
  • Contact
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
Home » Dinner » Paleo Beef Pho

Paleo Beef Pho

By Erin · December 14, 2016 · Updated May 13, 2020 · 20 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Pin
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
A bowl of beef pho
Gluten Free Dairy Free Whole30 Paleo

A quick Paleo Beef Pho recipe that’s Whole30 compliant and completely delicious. It uses zucchini and kelp noodles to keep it gluten free, and is full of flavor!

A bowl of beef pho topped with fresh basil

WHOLE30 PHO RECIPE

Even if you’re not doing a Whole30 right now, I think you’ll enjoy this paleo beef pho recipe. I’ve made it at least five times–which is a lot considering I’m always coming up with new recipes–and Miguel and I have both loved it every time. It uses simple ingredients and a blend of zucchini and kelp noodles, meaning it’s gluten free and whole30 approved, too!

Growing up, we never ate pho, or anything like it for that matter, but a couple years ago Miguel and I went to a Vietnamese restaurant in the DC area and I decided to give it a try. To my surprise (but also not surprising at all), I LOVED it. It was a bowl of warmth and comfort, similar to soup but somehow even better? Needless to say, I knew I needed to figure out how to make some at home.

WHY THIS BEEF PHO IS SO GOOD

  • It’s LOADED with flavor–no seriously, I’ve made it at least 5 times and I’m always so impressed by how flavorful it is
  • It’s hearty and light at the same time thanks to the use of beef and zucchini noodles
  • It serves 2-4 people, so you may just have leftovers 

BEEF PHO INGREDIENTS

  • onion
  • ginger
  • cinnamon
  • cloves
  • star anise
  • fish sauce
  • beef broth
  • kelp noodles
  • zucchini
  • beef

A bowl of beef pho

HOW TO MAKE BEEF PHO

First, broil onion and ginger, which really helps to bring out their flavor, then you combine them with the cinnamon, cloves and star anise.

onion and ginger on a baking sheet and spiralized zucchini

seared beef in a skillet

Next, you’ll add in the fish sauce and beef broth– any kind of broth works, but since we’re using beef in this recipe beef broth is the first choice–and you’ll simmer everything for 15 minutes or so. Meanwhile, sear the beef in a skillet until it’s cooked to your liking, approximately 2-3 minutes per side.

*I prefer buying beef that’s also cut into “chunks” simply because it saves me a step in the cooking process. 

Last, you’ll add the zucchini and kelp noodles to the simmering broth and cook for a couple of minutes. You want the zucchini noodles to be softer but not soggy, so keep an eye on them. 

A bowl of beef pho

WHAT BEEF SHOULD I USE?

I like to use beef that’s already cut into chunks just to make it even easier. Often times, it’s labeled “beef for stew” or “beef boneless stew cubes” at the grocery store.

CHECK OUT THESE OTHER WHOLE30 RECIPES

  • Whole30 chicken salad
  • Best Italian chicken meatballs
  • Beef ragu with sweet potato noodles 
Paleo Beef Pho | A Paleo-friendly pho recipes that uses zucchini and kelp noodles in place of rice noodles and is Whole30 compliant, too! | thealmondeater.com

Paleo Beef Pho

A Paleo Beef Pho recipe that's Whole30 compliant and completely delicious! It uses zucchini and kelp noodles to keep it gluten free and it's packed with flavor.
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Author: Erin

Ingredients

  • 1 yellow onion diced
  • One 4 inch piece of ginger sliced
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 3 whole cloves
  • 2 star anise
  • 2 tbsp fish sauce
  • 32 oz. beef broth
  • 1/2 package 1/2 lb. kelp noodles
  • 1 zucchini spiralized
  • 1/2 lb. beef sliced
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1/2 can bean sprouts basil and lime for garnish

Instructions

  • Place onion and ginger on a baking sheet and broil on high for 5 minutes or so, or until onions start turning slightly golden.
  • While they're broiling, place cinnamon, cloves and star anise in a large saucepan and heat over medium-high.
  • Transfer broiled ginger and onion to saucepan; add fish sauce and beef broth and bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer and simmer for 10-15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, place beef, salt and pepper in a skillet and cook beef completely.
  • While beef is cooking, make the kelp noodles according to instructions on the package, and spiralize the zucchini. Once kelp noodles are almost cooked, add zucchini noodles to pot and cook for 3-5 minutes. You want the noodles to be softer, but not soggy.
  • At this point. strain the broth through a fine mesh strainer, removing all of the "chunks" and stuff.
  • Strain the noodles and place into a bowl (or bowls). Add beef to bowls and then pour strained broth overtop.
  • If NOT doing Whole30/keeping this Paleo, add 1-2 tbsp sriracha overtop.
  • Enjoy!
Did you Make this Recipe? Tag me Today!Leave a comment below and tag @thealmondeater on Instagram!

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Filed Under: Dairy Free, Dinner, Gluten Free, Paleo, Whole30

Erin

About Erin

Erin is the recipe developer, writer and photographer behind the healthy food blog, The Almond Eater. She's been blogging since 2014 and loves to create food for many different diets, including vegan, gluten free and/or Whole30 recipes.

Primary Sidebar

girl in kitchen

Hi, I’m Erin!

I share recipes for ALL diet types because I believe that healthy food should be incredibly delicious without being complicated. Learn more

Seasonal Picks

bowl of soup with pasta

Vegan Tomato Soup

bowl of soup with a spoon

Chorizo Sweet Potato Soup

bowl of soup with a spoon in it

Easy Black Bean Soup

instant pot vegetable soup

Instant Pot Vegetable Soup

Popular Recipes

stir fry in a skillet

Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry

a bowl of pasta with lentils and red sauce

Lentil Bolognese Recipe (Vegan + Gluten Free)

sweet potato brownies

Flourless Sweet Potato Brownies

baked tofu

Crispy Baked Tofu

dog eating cake

Mini Dog Birthday Cake

Caramelized Onion Spaghetti Squash | squash filled with onions, mushrooms and kale for a healthy, vegetarian meal | thealmondeater.com

Caramelized Onion Spaghetti Squash

Download my Mediterranean Diet Guide for free!

And never miss one of my quick+healthy recipes.

As Featured On

Footer

  • Contact
  • Privacy

Copyright© 2021 | The Almond Eater. Site Credit

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter