Instant Pot Beef Pho Recipe (2024)

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Instant Pot Beef Pho recipe makes everyone's favorite classic Vietnamese soup recipe SO easy to make at home! 🍜 Using the instant pot, you no longer have to spend hours making beef pho! It's ready in just 45 minutes! My Instant Pot Beef Pho is sure to become one of your favorite recipes!

Instant Pot Beef Pho Recipe (1)

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  • Best Pho Recipe
  • Pho Recipes FAQs
  • Instant Pot Beef Pho Ingredients
  • How to Make Pho in the Instant Pot
  • Beef Pho Recipe Tips
  • How to Eat Pho
  • Asian Beef Recipes
  • 📌 Pin it for later!
  • 📋 Recipe
  • 💬 Reviews

Best Pho Recipe

This is one of my favorite instant pot recipes and I couldn't wait to share it with all of you!

Vietnamese beef pho is a hearty but light soup that's packed with flavor! Spices like cardamom and cloves with onion and ginger bring out the natural, delicious taste of the tender cuts of beef.

This Instant Pot Beef Pho is not the authentic pho experienc, but it's my quick and easy pressure cooker version that I know you will love as much as my family.

Serve it with rice noodles and bean sprouts, along with some fresh basil and jalapeño, for an intensely flavorful meal. This pressure cooker pho can even be made keto-friendly, like our beef and broccoli recipe!

This is the easiest and most delicious Pho recipe I have ever made.

Helena on Pinterest

Pho Recipes FAQs

What is pho?

Pho (pronunciation: like "fuh") is a Vietnamese soup recipe consisting of a broth that typically uses beef stock, rice noodles, herbs, spices, and meat. One bite of homemade pho with beef, and it's no question why it's so popular!

Is Pho Vietnamese or Thai?

While pho is common and popular street food in Vietnam, it's becoming increasingly popular all around the world. The Thai alternative to Pho is Boat Noodles.

Is Pho keto-friendly and gluten-free?

The rice noodles you use for traditional pho are not keto-friendly. Shirataki noodles are plant-based, containing no gluten or wheat, and are low-carb. Most grocery stores sell shirataki noodles in the produce section, in the refrigerated section near the tofu.

Usually, for traditional preparations, pho broth takes hours to cook. Instant Pot Pho saves you so much time, and you won't miss out on any flavor!

Instant Pot Beef Pho Recipe (2)

Instant Pot Beef Pho Ingredients

  • fresh ginger, roughly chopped
  • onion, roughly chopped
  • beef soup bones
  • flank steak or other lean beef such as sirloin or brisket
  • star anise pods
  • cloves
  • cardamom pods
  • cinnamon sticks
  • coriander seeds
  • brown sugar
  • vegetable oil; or sesame oil, olive oil, or avocado oil

For the finishing touches, you will need:

  • fish sauce, to taste
  • soy sauce, to taste
  • rice noodles
  • Bean sprouts to taste
  • Fresh lime juice to taste

Finally, we recommend these herbs for garnish:

  • Jalapeños
  • Basil
  • Mint
  • Fresh scallion

While the garnishing herbs are optional pho soup ingredients, they add an extra, delicious layer of flavor to the broth and beef. I recommend you try them out to see what combinations you like best. Basil and jalapeños are my favorite together!

Instant Pot Beef Pho Recipe (3)

How to Make Pho in the Instant Pot

  1. Toast star anise pods, cloves, cardamom pods, cinnamon sticks, and coriander seeds in a frying pan on the stove.
  2. Roughly chop fresh ginger and onion. Heat vegetable oil in the Instant Pot set to the saute program. Cook the ginger and onion for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring often.
  3. Switch off the saute function and add the toasted spices to the pot. Stir for a few seconds, then add beef soup bones and flank steak (or other lean beef, such as brisket or sirloin).
  4. Fill with water not all of the way to, but just under, the max line. Close the lid and make sure the valve is set to the “sealing” position. Set on manual high pressure for 45 to 90 minutes, depending on how concentrated you want the flavors of your broth to be.
  5. When the broth is done cooking, remove the steak and slice it. Pass the broth through a sieve to remove the spices and any pieces from the beef bones.
  6. Season the broth with fish sauce, soy sauce, and brown sugar. Taste and season with salt as you like.
  7. Dish the broth out into bowls and garnish with rice noodles, lime juice, beef slices, bean sprouts, basil, mint, scallions, and jalapeños as you prefer.

Beef Pho Recipe Tips

  • If you prefer, you can cook the beef separately from the broth. I recommend cooking it as we do in our Vietnamese steak salad recipe.
  • To make your soup as lean as possible, let it cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours. Any remaining fat in the broth will rise to the top and you can easily remove it. This is not a necessary step to enjoy Vietnamese beef pho.
  • If you have access to it, you can also use Chinese rock sugar in place of the brown sugar in this recipe. Asian supermarkets stock Chinese rock sugar.
  • For stronger flavor, allow your pho broth to cook for longer in the Instant Pot. While it will be ready in 45 minutes, you can leave it for up to 90 minutes for a strongly flavorful broth.
    Be aware that if you cook the beef in the pot with the broth, you may not want to go beyond 45 minutes of cook-time.
Instant Pot Beef Pho Recipe (4)

How to Eat Pho

I love it served over rice or shirataki noodles, with bean sprouts and herbs for garnish. Use chopsticks or a spoon to mix all of the ingredients and toppings evenly throughout your pho.

For the perfect bite, make sure to get a little bit of everything - noodles, vegetables, and meat. And if you're using chopsticks, make sure to use a soup spoon to enjoy some of that delicious pho broth in-between bites!

You can also add hoisin sauce or red chili sauce for extra flavor. A poached egg is also a great addition to your pho ingredients. I really believe this is the best pho recipe ever - especially if you add an egg. It adds so much richness to the broth!

Asian Beef Recipes

  • Vietnamese Beef Salad
  • Keto Beef and Broccoli
  • Pepper Steak Stir Fry
  • Easy Mongolian Beef
  • Grilled New York Strip with Asian Marinade

This is one of my favorite recipes to make using leftover steak! Try making more of our best Leftover Steak Recipes.

Try more of the best beef cuts according to your needs and budget by following my guide on the Best Cuts of Beef and our Popular Beef Dishes!

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📋 Recipe

Amazing Instant Pot Beef Pho

Light, but hearty and packed with flavor, Instant Pot Beef Pho proves how easy it is to make Vietnamese beef pho at home in under an hour!

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time45 minutes mins

Total Time50 minutes mins

Course: Asian Beef Recipes

Cuisine: Vietnamese

Keyword: beef pho recipe, easy beef pho, instant pot pho, pho recipe

Servings: 6 people

Calories: 615kcal

Author: Isabel Laessig

Ingredients

Pho Broth

  • 4 inches fresh ginger roughly chopped
  • 1 large onion roughly chopped
  • 2 pounds beef soup bones
  • 1 pound flank steak or other lean beef such as sirloin or brisket
  • 1 to 2 star anise pods
  • 2 to 3 cloves
  • 1 tablespoon cardamom pods
  • 1 to 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
  • 2 teaspoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; or sesame oil olive oil, or avocado oil

Finishing Touches

  • 2 to 3 tablespoons fish sauce to taste
  • 5 to 6 tablespoons soy sauce to taste
  • 12 oz. rice noodles
  • Bean sprouts to taste
  • Fresh lime juice to taste

For Garnish

  • Jalapeños basil, mint, and fresh scallion

See our Beef Temperature Chart for helpful tips on cooking any cut of beef!

Instructions

  • Toast 1-2 star anise pods, 2-3 cloves, 1 tablespoon cardamom pods, 1-2 cinnamon sticks, and 1 tablespoon coriander seeds in a frying pan on the stove.

    Instant Pot Beef Pho Recipe (6)

  • Roughly chop 4 inches of fresh ginger and 1 large onion. Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in the Instant Pot set to the saute program. Cook the ginger and onion for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring often.

    Instant Pot Beef Pho Recipe (7)

  • Switch off the saute function and add the toasted spices to the pot. Stir for a few seconds, then add 2 pounds beef soup bones and 1 pound flank steak (or other lean beef, such as brisket or sirloin).

    Instant Pot Beef Pho Recipe (8)

  • Fill with water not all of the way to, but just under, the max line. Close the lid and make sure the valve is set to the “sealing” position.

    Set on manual high pressure for 45 to 90 minutes, depending on how concentrated you want the flavors of your broth to be.

    See notes below.

    Instant Pot Beef Pho Recipe (9)

  • When the broth is done cooking, remove the steak and slice it. Pass the broth through a sieve to remove the spices and any pieces from the beef bones.

    Season the broth with 2 to 3 tablespoons fish sauce, 5 to 6 tablespoons of soy sauce, and 2 teaspoons brown sugar. Taste and season with salt as you like.

    Dish the broth out into bowls and garnish with rice noodles, lime juice, beef slices, bean sprouts, basil, mint, scallions, and jalapeños as you prefer.

    Instant Pot Beef Pho Recipe (10)

Notes

Cook beef separately: If you prefer, you cancook the beef separatelyfrom the broth. I recommend cooking it as we do in our Vietnamese steak salad recipe.

Beef meat: You can use flank, sirloin, brisket or any other lean beef meat you like.

Vegetable oil: Sesame oil, olive oil or avocado oil work well for this soup as well, as they have a high smoke point.

Cooking time: The broth is ready to enjoy after 45 minutes on high pressure. However, if you want to have it more concentrated with a stronger flavor, set the time to 60 minutes. Be aware that if you cook the meat with the bones, you might not want to leave it too long time under high pressure.

Chinese rock sugar: If you have access to it, you can also use Chinese rock sugar in place of the brown sugar in this recipe. Asian supermarkets stock Chinese rock sugar.

Skim the fat: To make your soup as lean as possible, let it cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours. Any remaining fat in the broth will rise to the top and you can easily remove it. This is not a necessary step to enjoy Vietnamese beef pho.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 615kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 47g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 20g | Cholesterol: 129mg | Sodium: 1727mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 7g

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Isabel Laessig

Hi! I’m Isabel Laessig, also known as Family Foodie, creator of Sunday Supper Movement and author of the Boujee Steak Cookbook. Sunday Supper is my mission to bring family back around the dinner table. Join me in making family meal-time a tradition to celebrate!
» About Me

Latest posts by Isabel Laessig (see all)

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About Isabel Laessig

Hi! I’m Isabel Laessig, also known as Family Foodie, creator of Sunday Supper Movement and author of the Boujee Steak Cookbook. Sunday Supper is my mission to bring family back around the dinner table. Join me in making family meal-time a tradition to celebrate!
» About Me

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Noelle says

    I love that this is gluten free! Thank you for reminding me to check my soy sauce, perfect recipe for dinner 🙂

    Reply

    • Em Beitel says

      Thank you, Noelle! We hope you love it!

      Reply

  2. Shannon says

    Your pictures are making my mouth water! Looks delicious.

    Reply

    • Em Beitel says

      Thank you so much, Shannon!

      Reply

  3. Mirlene says

    Yes, this is the pho I would like to see on my kitchen table. Fantastic looks, and I can only imagine the flavor!

    Reply

    • Em Beitel says

      Thanks so much, Mirlene! It honestly tastes amazing.

      Reply

  4. Kacey Perez says

    Asian cuisine is one of my favorites, but it seems so daunting to try and whip up during the week. This recipe has changed my mind! Saving it for my next weekly meal plan!

    Reply

    • Em Beitel says

      Thanks so much, Kacey! Making it in the Instant Pot this way really simplifies it! We can't wait to hear what you think.

      Reply

  5. Jen says

    This is my husband's favorite whenever we go out and I've always wanted to try it at home but have been too intimidated....until now! Thank you for breaking down the recipe so that a newbie like myself could easily follow it. My husband loved it and wouldn't stop raving about how much he enjoyed it. Thanks for making me look like a rockstar!

    Reply

    • Em Beitel says

      Hi Jen! Thank you so much for such a lovely comment. We're so happy to hear that you found it easy to follow and that you and your husband enjoyed it!

      Reply

  6. Dee says

    Any tips on how to use ground spices instead of the cardamom pods, star anise? Would Chinese five spice work?

    Reply

    • Em Beitel says

      Hi Dee! Chinese five spice should work well. We think about 2 tsps. should do the trick. Please let us know how it turns out!

      Reply

  7. Natalie says

    Thanks for the easy IP recipe. Curious, do I cook the rice noodles or put them in raw and the will cook in the hot broth?

    Reply

    • Em Beitel says

      Hi Natalie! Add the noodles raw - they will cook in the broth. Thank you for your question!

      Reply

  8. Monique says

    I'm making this right now and looking forward to it. Just wondering what size Instant Pot you used since the recipe says to add water just below the max line and the amount of water would vary greatly depending on the size of the Instant Pot.

    Reply

    • Em Beitel says

      Hi Monique! I hope you enjoy it! We use a 6 qt. Instant Pot.
      Thank you!

      Reply

Leave a comment or question - we love to hear from you!

Instant Pot Beef Pho Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret ingredient in pho broth? ›

Sa sung—dried peanut worms—have been described as the secret ingredient of great pho.

Are you supposed to finish the broth in pho? ›

It is important to finish your soup when eating pho. Leaving broth in your bowl is considered wasteful in Vietnamese culture. If you are full and cannot finish your soup, you can ask for a takeaway container to bring the leftovers home.

What makes pho broth taste so good? ›

Broth - the soul of Pho. Beef bones play a crucial role in influencing the quality of the broth. Combined with spices such as ginger, charred onions, star anise, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and coriander seeds, the broth gains a distinct aroma.

What's the difference between beef broth and pho broth? ›

One of the key differences is the spices used in the broth. Pho broth typically contains a combination of cinnamon, star anise, cloves, coriander, fennel seeds, and ginger, which give it a warm, aromatic flavor that is unique to this type of broth.

How do you make pho broth taste better? ›

For the most interesting flavor, use a variety.
  1. Onion and fresh ginger: I love the onion and ginger in this broth. ...
  2. Pho spices: Our broth simmers with cinnamon sticks, whole coriander seeds, fennel seeds, star anise, cloves, and a black cardamom pod. ...
  3. Rock sugar: Sugar balances the savoriness of our beef broth.

What makes pho broth bitter? ›

Black Cardamom

Too much can make the broth bitter. Green cardamon has a different aroma, but black cardamom has a smoky taste and smell.

Why is my pho broth slimy? ›

One very important note for restaurant pho is that the tendons are never cooked/simmer together in the pho broth. Tendons are always cooked separately in restaurant environment. If we cook tendons together in the broth, then the collagen will come out as gelatin, making the broth murky and turning it into aspic.

What makes pho smell so good? ›

Star anise, cloves, and cinnamon are the aromatic trinity in traditional pho stock. Try adding a few whole spices to the store-bought stuff, along with fresh ginger and a glug of fish sauce.

Are you supposed to put hoisin sauce in pho? ›

Adding sriracha and hoisin sauce can enhance the flavor of your pho. The spicy kick from the sriracha and the sweet and salty flavors add hoisin add an extra layer of complexity to your meal. The key is to add in moderation so that you don't overpower the delicate flavors of the broth and noodles.

Do you cook pho with lid on or off? ›

Add salt and sugar and Vietnamese vegetable powder. Add roasted onion and ginger and boil for about 30 min (no lid) on high until you get a nice boil and then set to a LOW simmer for 3-10 hours (uncovered). (Occasionally remove any scum or impurities from top of broth without stirring too much).

What color should pho broth be? ›

It can be both. Thin , clear broth seem to be more popular with foreigners who don't like salty and heavy flavours in Pho. However , if it is crystal clear, i wonder if it is really broth or just instant broth cube drop into hot water. Heavy , thick drop means that the cook doesn't skim the fat from the broth enough.

Is pho broth good for your stomach? ›

"Made with rice noodles and a rich beef bone stock, it's a perfect vehicle for bean sprouts and nutrient-rich herbs." The soup itself, a rich bone broth, is filled with health benefits for your body, including your immune and digestive system, and your bones and joints.

Is pho broth good for your gut? ›

I would argue, absolutely. Not only are the benefits of bone broth numerous, including digestive repair, skin and joint health, but adding in healing spices and herbs boosts the benefits even more.

Do you put fish sauce in pho? ›

Vietnamese pho is all about the broth! In this authentic recipe, beef bones, fish sauce, star anise, and ginger simmer for at least 6 hours, creating a complex, aromatic broth that may not be quick, but it's certainly delicious.

What makes pho broth different? ›

Pho Broth Spices and Other ingredients

The spices are toasted to bring out the flavour before adding into the pot. And the ginger and onion are charred to add a subtle smokey flavour into the broth – a secret little step that adds that extra something-something to make this pho recipe authentic and traditional!

How is pho broth so clear? ›

Hi korean recipes soak meat in cold water a half hour to remove blood and impurities before cooking to get a clear broth.

Why does pho broth taste sweet? ›

Additionally, the broth gets a touch of sweetness from simmering meaty bones and marrow in the pot, known in Vietnamese as "ngọt thịt" or "meaty sweetness."

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