Instant Pot Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Beef Soup
A fragrant, rich beef broth infused with star anise and cinnamon, pressure-cooked with tender beef and rice noodles for a comforting Vietnamese-style soup. This vietnamese-inspired soups ready in about 65 minutes pairs cut into 1-inch cubes beef chuck roast, medium, halved yellow onion, inch piece, sliced ginger for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 430 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 lb, cut into 1-inch cubes beef chuck roast
- 1 medium, halved yellow onion
- 2-inch piece, sliced ginger
- 3 whole star anise
- 1 stick (3 inches) cinnamon stick
- 4 whole cloves
- 6 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 6 oz rice noodles (thin)
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro
- 2 sliced green onions
- for serving lime wedges
- optional, for heat jalapeño slices
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Turn the Instant Pot to sauté mode and dry-roast 3 whole star anise, 1 cinnamon stick, and 4 whole cloves for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 1 medium halved yellow onion and 2-inch sliced ginger to the pot and sauté for 3 minutes until the onion edges darken slightly.
- Step 3: Pour in 6 cups beef broth, 2 tbsp fish sauce, and 1 tsp brown sugar. Add 1 lb cubed beef chuck roast. Secure the lid and set to manual high pressure for 35 minutes.
- Step 4: When cooking is complete, release pressure naturally for 10 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
- Step 5: Remove beef cubes and shred or slice thinly. Strain broth to remove solids and return broth to the pot.
- Step 6: Soak 6 oz thin rice noodles in hot water for 10 minutes until soft, then drain.
- Step 7: Divide noodles among bowls, top with shredded beef, and ladle hot broth over.
- Step 8: Garnish with 1 cup bean sprouts, 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, 2 sliced green onions, lime wedges, and optional jalapeño slices for heat.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Instant Pot Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Beef Soup take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (15 min prep + 50 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 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 medium, halved yellow onion from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Instant Pot Vietnamese Pho-Inspired Beef 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 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 Soup?
Vietnamese soups 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.
