Instant Pot Pho

Introduction

Craving the soul-soothing flavors of classic Vietnamese pho in a fraction of the time? This Instant Pot Pho delivers the signature rich, aromatic broth and tender meat you love—without hours of simmering on the stove. Thanks to pressure cooking, complex flavors and silky textures develop rapidly, allowing you to serve a restaurant-quality bowl any night of the week.

With fragrant spices, fresh herbs, and customizable toppings, this Instant Pot Pho promises an unforgettable meal that pleases both traditionalists and weeknight cooks.

Why Instant Pot Pho Is a Game Changer

Traditional pho requires simmering beef bones and aromatics for up to eight hours. By using an Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, 6 Quart, you create a deeply flavorful broth in under two hours, extracting the essence of spices and beef without constant monitoring. This recipe makes it possible to enjoy authentic Vietnamese comfort food fast, while still savoring the complexity that makes pho a beloved classic.

Building a Flavorful Pho Broth—Effortlessly

A memorable pho is all about its broth. Begin by charring onions and ginger to coax out their sweetness, then add spices like star anise, cinnamon, cloves, and coriander seeds. The depth is further enhanced by pressure-cooking beef bones, which extracts collagen for a silky mouthfeel.

Use the Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper for effortlessly prepping your aromatics and garnishes, ensuring everything is ready for assembly when your broth is done.

Noodles, Proteins, and Toppings

Pho is endlessly customizable. Combine the luscious broth with slippery rice noodles, your choice of thin-sliced beef (like sirloin or brisket), or even rotisserie chicken for a pho ga twist. Top with a mountain of fresh greens, herbs, and lime wedges. A blender like the Ninja BL610 Professional 72 Oz Countertop Blender helps quickly blend dipping sauces or sriracha mayo to serve on the side.

To keep herbs, lime, and sprouts crisp and organized, store them ready-to-go in a Bentgo Salad Container for easy serving and leftovers.

Serving and Storing Your Instant Pot Pho

Pho is best enjoyed piping hot. Lay a plastic Pureegg Plastic Table Cloth Disposable 10 Pack, White to simplify cleanup after an enthusiastic slurping session. If you have leftovers, portion broth and toppings separately in Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers to keep everything fresh and prevent soggy noodles.

Nutritional Info and Serving Size

This recipe yields 4 to 6 hearty servings, with each bowl containing approximately 400–500 calories, depending on meat choice and toppings. Loaded with protein, fresh herbs, and low in fat, it’s satisfying yet light enough for lunch or dinner.

Instant Pot Pho (Recap)

Instant Pot Pho brings all the fragrant complexity of Vietnamese pho to your table in a fraction of the traditional time. The electric pressure cooker unlocks deep flavors while making the process remarkably simple, ensuring you can enjoy the magic of homemade pho whenever the craving strikes.

Instructions

1. Set your Instant Pot Duo to Sauté mode. Add the onion and ginger, charring on each side for 2–3 minutes until browned and fragrant. Remove and set aside.
2. Add the beef bones to the pot and cover with water. Boil for 5 minutes, then discard the water and rinse the bones (removes impurities for a clear broth).
3. Return bones to the pot. Add charred onion, ginger, garlic, star anise, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, fish sauce, sugar, and salt. Cover with 10 cups of water.
4. Lock the Instant Pot lid, set to Manual/Pressure Cook for 1 hour.
5. While broth cooks, soak rice noodles in hot water for 20–30 minutes, then drain. Slice the beef with the Mueller Vegetable Chopper for uniform pieces, and arrange all toppings and garnishes using the Bentgo Salad Container.
6. When the timer beeps, let pressure release naturally for 15 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure. Strain the broth using a fine mesh sieve, discarding the solids. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired.
7. Divide noodles among bowls, top with thinly sliced beef or cooked brisket, and pour over hot broth (the heat will cook the raw beef slices). Serve immediately with bean sprouts, herbs, lime, and sauces.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Enjoy the aromatic, deeply satisfying experience of Instant Pot Pho—pure comfort in a bowl, now made simple in your own kitchen.