Instant Pot Pho

Introduction

Instant Pot Pho is the answer for anyone craving rich, aromatic Vietnamese noodle soup without investing hours of simmering on the stovetop. This recipe leverages the Instant Pot’s efficiency to coax out deep, authentic flavors in a fraction of the usual time, making it possible to enjoy comforting restaurant-quality pho even on busy weeknights.

Serving homemade pho not only satisfies cravings for takeout but lets you customize everything from the spices to the toppings. Whether it’s a lazy Sunday or a quick midweek dinner, this dish is guaranteed to impress family and friends alike.

Why Instant Pot Pho is a Must-Try

Classic pho broth is all about complexity and depth, drawing flavor from roasted bones, charred aromatics, and the signature blend of spices. The Instant Pot’s pressure cooking magic accelerates the extraction of those flavors, giving you a silky, savory, and spice-laden broth in under two hours – rather than the traditional all-day simmer.

You also gain unparalleled control over salt, sugar, and spice levels, making the dish as clean, healthy, or indulgent as you prefer. Plus, clean-up is streamlined, meaning more time enjoying your meal and less time scrubbing pots.

The Secret to Flawless Pho Broth

The foundation of great pho is its clear, flavorful broth. Start by charring onion and ginger—this adds smokiness and depth. If you have a reliable skillet, the SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet, 9.5 Inch is excellent for creating just the right amount of char.

Roasting beef bones in the oven, or directly in your Instant Pot using the sauté function, further builds the broth’s rich flavor profile. Then, add classic pho spices—star anise, cloves, cinnamon, and coriander seeds— either loose or bundled in a piece of cheesecloth for easy removal.

Speedy Veggie and Meat Prep

Pho is all about tantalizing contrasts: slippery rice noodles, crunch from fresh herbs and sprouts, and tender slices of meat. Rapid, uniform chopping helps you achieve that perfect balance in every bite. Reach for a tool like the Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper to quickly process onions, scallions, or jalapeños for topping.

When it’s time to shred cooked chicken (if making chicken pho), a tool like the Chicken Shredder Tool Twist for Kitchen saves fingers and gets perfect shreds in seconds.

Noodle Perfection and Assembly

While the broth cooks, prep your rice noodles. For the most even results, use a generous pot of boiling water and mind the package instructions. Immediately rinse noodles in cool water to avoid sticking.

Arrange the cooked noodles, sliced meats, and crisp herbs in generous bowls, then pour the fragrant, steaming broth over the top. Toppings are key: offer bean sprouts, Thai basil, cilantro, fresh lime wedges, and sliced chili for everyone to personalize their bowls.

Keep leftover herbs, lime wedges, or sliced meats ultra-fresh for later bowls of pho in airtight containers like the Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers, Set of 5 (3.2 Cup).

Storing and Serving Suggestions

Serve your Instant Pot pho with a platter of fresh garnishes for everyone to build their own perfect bowl. For meal prep, pack broth separately from noodles and toppings in the Bentgo Salad Container – 54 oz Bowl, Khaki Green to keep textures ideal until you’re ready to eat.

For impressive presentation at gatherings, lay out your toppings on a beautiful board and protect your table with a Pureegg Plastic Table Cloth Disposable 10 Pack, White.

Nutritional Information & Serving Size

This recipe serves 6 generous bowls. Each bowl, including noodles, beef, and classic toppings, contains roughly 350–450 calories depending on add-ins and toppings. Homemade pho is lower in sodium than most restaurant versions and is naturally gluten-free.

Instant Pot Pho Recipe Recap

With homey flavor, brisk preparation, and irresistibly slurpable noodles, Instant Pot Pho transforms a labor-intensive favorite into a weeknight staple. Savor the balance of savory broth, tender noodles, and fresh herbs—pho is comfort, tradition, and sheer deliciousness in every spoonful.

Instructions

1. Use the sauté function on your Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, 6 Quart to roast onion and ginger cut-side-down until deeply charred (about 4-5 minutes). Set aside.
2. Add bones to the Instant Pot and cover with water to the max fill line. Boil using sauté mode for 10 minutes, then discard water and rinse bones to ensure a clear broth.
3. Return bones to the pot. Add charred onion, ginger, star anise, cloves, cinnamon, and coriander seeds. Fill with water up to the max line. Add sugar, fish sauce, and salt.
4. Lock the lid, set to Pressure Cook on High for 45 minutes. Allow natural pressure release for 15+ minutes before venting.
5. While broth cooks, use the Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper for prepping garnishes and toppings.
6. Strain broth through a fine mesh strainer, discarding solids. Skim fat as desired.
7. Prepare pho noodles according to package instructions. Immediately rinse with cool water to prevent sticking.
8. Divide noodles among bowls. Top with thinly sliced beef (which will cook in the steaming hot broth) or chicken.
9. Ladle hot broth directly over noodles and meat. Serve with all garnishes on the side for guests to add to taste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Enjoy your homemade Instant Pot Pho—where bold Vietnamese flavors meet modern convenience!