This Asian Beef and Rice Noodle Soup is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines tender slices of beef with rice noodles in a rich, aromatic broth. It's perfect for a cozy night in or when you need a quick and satisfying meal. The fresh toppings add a burst of color and texture, making each bite a delightful experience.
Some ingredients in this recipe might not be staples in your pantry. Fish sauce is a key component in many Asian dishes, providing a deep umami flavor. Bean sprouts and cilantro add freshness and crunch, while rice noodles are a gluten-free alternative to traditional pasta. Make sure to check the international aisle at your supermarket for these items.

Ingredients for Asian Beef and Rice Noodle Soup
Beef sirloin: Thinly sliced for quick cooking and tenderness.
Rice noodles: Gluten-free noodles that absorb the flavors of the broth.
Beef broth: The base of the soup, providing a rich and savory flavor.
Garlic: Minced to add a pungent, aromatic depth.
Ginger: Grated to give a warm, spicy undertone.
Soy sauce: Adds a salty, umami flavor to the broth.
Fish sauce: Enhances the savory taste with a distinct umami punch.
Bean sprouts: Provide a fresh, crunchy texture.
Green onions: Chopped for a mild, oniony flavor.
Cilantro: Chopped to add a fresh, citrusy note.
Lime juice: Adds acidity and brightness to the soup.
Chili flakes: Optional, for a spicy kick.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When slicing the beef sirloin, make sure to cut against the grain. This technique ensures that the meat remains tender and easy to chew. Additionally, partially freezing the beef for about 15-20 minutes before slicing can make it easier to achieve thin, uniform slices.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
beef sirloin - Substitute with chicken breast: Chicken breast is a lean protein that can absorb the flavors of the broth well.
rice noodles - Substitute with glass noodles: Glass noodles have a similar texture and are also gluten-free.
beef broth - Substitute with chicken broth: Chicken broth provides a lighter flavor but still adds depth to the soup.
garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder, sweeter flavor that complements the soup.
ginger - Substitute with galangal: Galangal has a similar spicy and aromatic profile but with a slightly different flavor.
soy sauce - Substitute with tamari: Tamari is a gluten-free alternative that provides a similar umami flavor.
fish sauce - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can provide the salty and umami notes, though it lacks the fishy undertone.
bean sprouts - Substitute with snow peas: Snow peas add a similar crunch and freshness to the soup.
green onions - Substitute with leeks: Leeks offer a milder onion flavor and can be used similarly.
cilantro - Substitute with parsley: Parsley provides a fresh, slightly peppery flavor that can replace cilantro.
lime juice - Substitute with lemon juice: Lemon juice offers a similar acidity and brightness to the soup.
chili flakes - Substitute with sriracha: Sriracha adds heat and a bit of sweetness, enhancing the soup's flavor.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Soup
How to Store / Freeze This Soup
- Allow the soup to cool completely before storing. This helps to maintain the flavor and prevent bacterial growth.
- Transfer the soup to airtight containers. For best results, use containers that are specifically designed for storing soups and stews.
- Store the noodles and broth separately. This prevents the noodles from becoming mushy when reheated.
- Label the containers with the date of storage. This helps you keep track of freshness and ensures you consume the soup within a safe timeframe.
- Refrigerate the soup for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the temperature of your refrigerator is set below 40°F (4°C) to keep the soup fresh.
- For longer storage, freeze the soup. Use freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags to prevent freezer burn.
- When freezing, leave some space at the top of the container. Liquid expands when frozen, and this prevents the container from cracking.
- Freeze the soup for up to 2-3 months. For best quality, consume within this period.
- To reheat, thaw the soup in the refrigerator overnight. This ensures even reheating and maintains the texture of the ingredients.
- Reheat the broth on the stove over medium heat until it reaches a simmer. Add the noodles and heat through.
- Avoid reheating the soup multiple times. Each reheating can degrade the quality and flavor of the soup.
- Garnish with fresh bean sprouts, green onions, cilantro, and a splash of lime juice just before serving to refresh the soup.
How to Reheat Leftovers
- To reheat your leftover Asian Beef and Rice Noodle Soup, start by separating the noodles from the broth. This prevents the noodles from becoming overly mushy.
- Place the broth in a pot and heat it over medium heat until it begins to simmer. This ensures that the garlic, ginger, and soy sauce flavors meld beautifully once again.
- While the broth is heating, you can reheat the noodles separately. You can either microwave them for about 1-2 minutes or briefly dunk them in boiling water for 30 seconds to a minute.
- Once the broth is simmering, add the beef slices back into the pot just until they are warmed through. Be careful not to overcook them.
- Divide the reheated noodles into bowls and ladle the hot broth over them.
- Top with fresh bean sprouts, green onions, cilantro, a squeeze of lime juice, and a sprinkle of chili flakes if you like a bit of heat.
- Serve immediately and enjoy the rejuvenated flavors of your Asian Beef and Rice Noodle Soup.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Large pot: Used to bring the beef broth to a boil and simmer the ingredients.
Knife: Essential for thinly slicing the beef sirloin and chopping the green onions and cilantro.
Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for slicing the beef and chopping vegetables.
Grater: Used to grate the ginger.
Garlic press: Handy for mincing the garlic cloves.
Measuring spoons: Needed to measure out the soy sauce, fish sauce, and lime juice.
Tongs: Useful for handling the beef slices while cooking.
Colander: Used to drain the cooked rice noodles.
Bowls: For dividing the cooked rice noodles and serving the soup.
Ladle: Essential for ladling the soup over the noodles in each bowl.
How to Save Time on Making This Soup
Prep ingredients in advance: Slice the beef sirloin and chop the green onions and cilantro ahead of time.
Use pre-made broth: Opt for store-bought beef broth to save time on simmering.
Quick-cook noodles: Choose rice noodles that cook in just a few minutes.
Batch cooking: Double the recipe and freeze half for a quick meal later.
One-pot method: Cook the beef and noodles in the same pot to reduce cleanup time.

Asian Beef and Rice Noodle Soup
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb Beef sirloin, thinly sliced
- 8 oz Rice noodles
- 6 cups Beef broth
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoon Soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Fish sauce
- 1 cup Bean sprouts
- 1 cup Green onions, chopped
- 1 cup Cilantro, chopped
- 1 tablespoon Lime juice
- 1 teaspoon Chili flakes optional
Instructions
- 1. Cook rice noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- 2. In a large pot, bring beef broth to a boil. Add garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and fish sauce. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- 3. Add beef slices to the pot and cook until just done, about 5 minutes.
- 4. Divide cooked rice noodles into bowls. Ladle soup over noodles.
- 5. Top with bean sprouts, green onions, cilantro, lime juice, and chili flakes if using. Serve hot.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts
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