Instant Pot: Vietnamese Beef Pho

Beef Pho is a fragrant, soul-warming Vietnamese noodle soup—and the best part? It’s surprisingly easy to make with the Instant Pot! Thanks to the magic of high pressure, you get tender beef, aromatic spices, and a deeply flavourful broth in a fraction of the time—no long simmering required.

Ingredients (serves 6)

Beef broth:

(Part 1)

1.5kg beef bones

1 onion, halved

1 piece of ginger (about 7–8cm), halved lengthways

Spice Mix (see below)

1/2 tbsp salt

1.5 litres water

Spice Mix:

1 cinnamon stick

4 whole cloves

5-6 star anise

1 tbsp coriander seeds

(Part 2)

1kg oxtail

6 tbsp fish sauce

1 litre water

Toppings:

1 pack beef balls

200g thinly sliced raw beef

For Serving:

1 pack flat rice noodles (pho noodles)

Beansprouts

Lime wedges

Hoisin sauce and Sriracha (for dipping)

Thinly sliced onion

Coriander and spring onions

Method

1. Soak the Oxtail

Place oxtail in a large bowl.
Cover with cold water and soak for 30–60 minutes to draw out blood.
Drain and rinse well.

2. Roast the Bones, Onion, and Ginger

Preheat oven to 220°C
Place beef bones, onion (cut-side up), and ginger on a tray.
Roast for 25–30 minutes until deeply browned and slightly charred.

3. Toast the Spices

In a dry pan, toast cinnamon, cloves, star anise, coriander seeds over medium heat for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.

4. Pressure Cook the Beef Bones (Part 1)

Add roasted beef bones, onion, ginger, toasted spices, salt, and 1.5 litres of water to the Instant Pot.
Pressure cook on High for 30 minutes.
Natural release for 10 minutes, then quick release.
Discard bones and solids.

5. Pressure Cook the Oxtail (Part 2)

Add soaked oxtail, fish sauce and 1 more litre of water.
Pressure cook on High for 40 minutes.
Natural release for 10 minutes, then quick release.
Set the oxtail aside. Strain broth and skim fat.

6. Add Beef Balls

Set Instant Pot to Sauté mode.
Add beef balls, cook for 5 minutes until heated through.

7. Assemble the Pho

Prepare pho noodles according to packet instructions. Drain and portion into bowls.
Add noodles, beansprout, some oxtail, beef balls, and thin slices of raw beef.
Pour over piping hot broth to cook the raw beef instantly.
Top with herbs, spring onion, and a squeeze of lime.
Serve with hoisin sauce and Sriracha on the side.

Instant Pot Beef Pho delivers all the rich, savoury depth of classic pho with the ease of one-pot cooking. It’s perfect for days when you’re craving something warm, comforting, and full of flavour—without spending hours in the kitchen.