Instant Pot Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Beef Noodle Soup
A fragrant and soothing beef noodle soup cooked quickly in the Instant Pot, featuring traditional spices and tender meat. This vietnamese-inspired instant pot ready in about 85 minutes pairs beef brisket, cut into 1-inch pieces, beef bones, yellow onion, halved and charred for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 pound beef brisket, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 pounds beef bones
- 1 large yellow onion, halved and charred
- 3-inch piece ginger root, sliced and charred
- 3 whole star anise pods
- 4 whole cloves
- 1 stick (3 inches) cinnamon stick
- 3 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon rock sugar or granulated sugar
- 8 ounces rice noodles (banh pho), soaked and drained
- 3 stalks green onions, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 4 wedges lime wedges
- to taste sriracha sauce
- to taste hoisin sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 12 cups water
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Turn on the Instant Pot to sauté mode. Place 1 large halved yellow onion and 3-inch sliced ginger root cut side down on the pot’s bottom and char for 5 minutes until darkened, stirring occasionally.
- Step 2: Add 2 pounds beef bones and 1 pound beef brisket pieces to the pot. Pour in 12 cups water, then add 3 whole star anise pods, 4 whole cloves, and 1 cinnamon stick. Lock the lid and cook on high pressure for 45 minutes.
- Step 3: After pressure cooking, allow natural release for 20 minutes, then carefully release remaining pressure. Remove bones, onion, and ginger with tongs. Strain broth through a fine mesh sieve into a large bowl.
- Step 4: Return strained broth to the pot. Stir in 3 tablespoons fish sauce, 1 tablespoon rock sugar, and 1 teaspoon salt. Turn Instant Pot to sauté and bring broth to a simmer.
- Step 5: Add 8 ounces soaked and drained rice noodles to the broth and cook for 3-4 minutes until tender but firm.
- Step 6: Divide noodles and beef brisket pieces among 4 bowls. Ladle hot broth over the top.
- Step 7: Garnish each bowl with 3 sliced green onions, 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, 1 cup bean sprouts, and lime wedges. Serve with sriracha and hoisin sauce on the side for added flavor.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Instant Pot Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Beef Noodle Soup take to make?
Total time is about 85 minutes (20 min prep + 65 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Instant Pot Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Beef Noodle Soup?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep beef bones from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Instant Pot Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Beef Noodle Soup?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Instant Pot Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Beef Noodle Soup for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Instant Pot Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Beef Noodle Soup?
Vietnamese instant pot like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
