Instant Pot Pho Recipes

INSTANT POT® PHO

Steps:

• Place oxtail in a large, heavy pot. Cover with water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, pour out water, and rinse oxtail to remove excess fat and impurities. Place in a multi-functional pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot®).
• Use tongs to hold ginger over a burner flame to char slightly. Allow to cool, then quarter. Char onion quarters in the same way.
• Combine cinnamon stick, cardamom, cloves, star anise, coriander, and fennel in a shallow, dry saute pan. Toast over medium-low heat for 2 minutes. Place spices in a tea filter bag and close.
• Add ginger, onion, and spice bag to the pressure cooker. Pour in enough water to cover. Add fish sauce, green onions, sugar, and salt. Close and lock the lid. Seal the vent and select high pressure according to manufacturer's instructions; set timer for 120 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for pressure to build.
• Release pressure using the natural-release method according to manufacturer's instructions, 10 to 40 minutes.
• Meanwhile, place rice noodles in a large bowl and cover with hot water. Set aside until noodles soften, about 15 minutes.
• Skim the broth if necessary. Taste and add more fish sauce, sugar, or salt. Discard ginger, onions, and spice bag. Remove oxtail from the broth and shred meat away from the bones and cartilage.
• Fill bowls with rice noodles and top with meat and broth.

INSTANT POT BEEF PHO

Steps:

• For the pho: Add the beef bones to a 6-quart Instant Pot®, then nestle the brisket on top of the bones. Stir 1 tablespoon salt into 10 cups water, then pour over the meat. Set to high saute, cover with the lid and cook for 30 minutes (see Cook's Note).
• Transfer the brisket to a plate, then use 2 kitchen towels to carefully remove the pot and drain the bones into a large colander. Gently rinse the bones with water to remove any scum, then set aside. Carefully wash out the pot and dry well.
• Turn the pot to high saute and allow to heat up for 5 minutes. Add the ginger cut-side down, then surround the ginger with the black peppercorns, cinnamon sticks and star anise. Cook for 5 minutes without moving the ginger or spices. Use tongs to remove the ginger to a medium bowl and a slotted spoon to remove the spices to the bowl. Add the yellow onions cut-side down, then surround the onions with the garlic cloves. Cook for 10 minutes without moving the onions or garlic. Turn off the pot, then add the bones and reserved ginger and spices. Sprinkle the brisket liberally on all sides with salt, then nestle on top of the bones and vegetables. Pour in 8 cups water.
• Follow the manufacturer's guide for locking the lid and preparing to cook. Set to pressure cook on high for 1 hour 30 minutes (it will take about 30 minutes for the pot to come to pressure). Meanwhile, put the sirloin in the freezer so that it partially freezes and will be easier to slice.
• After the pressure-cook cycle is complete, follow the manufacturer's guide for natural release. After 20 minutes, being careful of any remaining steam, unlock and remove the lid.
• Transfer the brisket to a cutting board and allow to cool slightly. Set a large colander over a large stockpot, then use a slotted spoon to transfer most of the bones and vegetables to the colander. Use 2 kitchen towels to carefully remove the pot and pour the stock into the colander. Use the slotted spoon to press down on the bones and vegetables to extract as much flavor as possible, then discard.
• Clean out the pot if needed, then return it and pour the stock back in. Skim the fat from the stock, if desired. Add enough water so that the stock comes halfway up the pot. Stir in the fish sauce and sugar, then turn to high saute and allow the stock to come to a boil. Once the stock is at a boil, taste it for seasoning and add more fish sauce if needed.
• Meanwhile, thinly slice the brisket against the grain. Slice the sirloin very thinly against the grain.
• Divide the warm rice noodles among 4 to 6 large bowls and sprinkle the noodles with freshly ground black pepper. Divide the brisket among the bowls and top with overlapping slices of sirloin. Top each bowl with 2 to 3 cups of hot stock.
• For the toppings: Serve immediately with the mung bean sprouts, red onion, jalapeño, Thai basil, lime wedges, hoisin sauce, and sriracha, allowing your guests to dress their bowls of pho as they wish.

INSTANT POT PHO

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Place the beef shanks or soup bones and beef chuck in a 6-quart Instant Pot and cover with water. Choose the highest sauté function and bring the beef to a full boil. Continue to boil for 5 minutes. Carefully drain the beef and discard the liquids. Set the meat aside. Boiling and draining the beef ensures the final broth will be clear instead of cloudy.
• Choose the normal sauté function and add the star anise, cinnamon stick, coriander seeds, and whole cloves. Cook, stirring frequently to prevent burning, for about 5 minutes, or until the spices are toasted and aromatic. Alternatively, toast the spices on the stovetop over medium heat, then add them to the Instant Pot.
• Peel the onion and cut it in half lengthwise. Slice the halves thickly. Peel the ginger and cut it into small chunks. Add the onion slices and ginger to the pot along with 2 teaspoons of cooking oil and cook on the normal sauté setting until lightly charred, stirring frequently. Cancel the sauté function.
• Add the drained beef and bones back to the pot along with 8 cups of water. The level should be just under the max fill line of a 6-quart pot. Add the sugar (if using), 1 1/2 teaspoons of kosher salt, and the pepper. Lock the lid in place and turn the steam release valve to "sealing." Select the manual setting, high pressure, and set the time to 40 minutes. When the time is up, let the pressure come down naturally for 20 to 25 minutes. Carefully turn the steam release valve to "venting" to release any remaining pressure.
• Using a slotted spoon, remove the meat, place in a bowl and set aside. Strain the liquids into a large bowl or pot through a fine-mesh strainer, and discard the solids left in the strainer. Shred the beef and add it to the broth. Add 1 tablespoon each of fish sauce and soy sauce, then taste and adjust seasonings as needed. At this point, you may refrigerate the broth until you are ready to assemble and serve the soup.
• Bring the meaty broth to a simmer in a saucepan or in the Instant Pot.
• Cook or soak the rice noodles or rice sticks following the package directions; drain well. Slice the raw beef very thinly across the grain.
• Add hot noodles to each bowl, followed by several strips of raw beef. Spoon some of the red and green onions over the beef, then ladle hot broth over all. Finish with 1/2 to 3/4 cup of bean sprouts, cilantro, sliced chile pepper, and other garnishes, as desired.
• Enjoy your beef pho.