Instant Pot Beef Pho

Name: Instant Pot Beef Pho
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 3 star anise pods; 1 3" cinnamon stick; 4 whole cloves; 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil, plus more for noodles; 2 medium onions, peeled, halved; 1 2" piece ginger, scrubbed, sliced lengthwise ¼" thick; 3 lb. 2"–3" sections mixed soup beef bones (oxtail, marrow, knuckles, and/or neck bone), rinsed under cold running water to remove blood and excess bits; 1 lb. beef brisket or chuck, cut into 2" pieces; 2 Tbsp. (or more) fish sauce; ½ oz. yellow rock sugar or 3 tsp. granulated sugar; 2½ tsp. Diamond Crystal or 1¼ tsp. Morton kosher salt; plus more (optional); 10 oz. dried thin Banh Pho rice noodles; 8 oz. beef eye of round, sirloin steak, London broil, or tri-tip steak; Rinsed thinly sliced onion, thinly sliced scallions, chopped cilantro, Thai basil leaves, mint leaves, mung bean sprouts, sliced Thai or serrano chiles, lime wedges, Sriracha, and/or hoisin sauce (for serving; optional); Freshly ground black pepper

By Diana Yen

February 3, 2021

Image may contain Food Meal Dish Bowl Ketchup Chopsticks and Soup

Photo by Heami Lee, food styling by Judy Haubert, prop styling by Rebecca Bartoshesky

Making traditional beef pho can be an all-day affair, with the broth bubbling away for 3–6 hours. This instant pot version takes an hour and a half (including pressure-release time), but it doesn’t sacrifice flavor thanks to toasted spices and browned onions and ginger that get simmered along with beef bones and brisket. Using a variety of bones as well as brisket is the secret to umami-rich broth. While you’re waiting for the broth to finish cooking, prep all your garnishes and noodles so everything will come together quickly at the end. Pour the hot broth over your assembled bowls and watch your beef slices cook on the spot.

Cook’s Notes: Yellow rock sugar can be found in specialty markets and online. It’s a honey-hued sugar that is mildly sweet and rounds out the flavors in pho broth. Break down into large pieces with a mallet to use. It is used in Asian drinks, desserts, and soups.

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