Pho Tai, an ultra-comforting beef noodle soup, is one of life’s greatest pleasures.
A Vietnamese treasure that’s light, comforting and extremely healthy. It’s a super comforting and stress-relieving hot soup. Exactly what I want to eat on a cold and rainy day.
Traditionally, the Pho broth takes 8-12 hours to prepare. Luckily for you, my Instant Pot recipe cuts that time down to 2 +1/2 hours of cooking.
Still, it’s not a meal that’s made in 15 minutes or less and does take some time, but it’s unquestionably worth your time.
What Is Pho Tai?
Basically, Pho (pronounced PHUH) is a Vietnamese soup with rice noodles, beef and beef stock that normally simmers anywhere from 10-24 hours.
Pho Tai, (my favourite!) is served with thinly shaved slices of rare beef which cook almost immediately after being submerged in the hot broth.
It can be served with all sorts of accompaniments like fresh basil, bean sprouts, soy sauce, sriracha sauce, fresh chilli and raw thinly sliced onions.
Popular Pho Tai Accompaniments
- fresh chili
- hoisin sauce
- fresh basil
- bean sprouts
- coriander (eww gross)
- sriracha sauce
- fish sauce
- fresh lemon or lime wedges
- thinly sliced onions
I’m Pro Bones
Cooking with bones is an old-school method that’s, unfortunately, less popular at home nowadays due to the popularity of fast food. Almost everything in a fast-food restaurant is boneless and therefore we don’t get enough bones in our diet.
Basically, bones are healthy and definitely something we are lacking in our modern diet. Pho is the answer!
I’m a passionate bone advocate for many reasons.
When you cook with bones you make use of the whole animal, make something healthy and most importantly create a flavour that you cannot get anywhere else.
Pho Tai Instant Pot Miracle
Normally a Pho or bone broth like this can take anywhere from 10-24 hours to properly extract all the lovely flavour and health benefits out of the bones. BUT with this magical little tool, you cut the time down to just 2 hours of cooking with the same (if not better) flavour!
If the bone broth is allowed to cool in the instant pot (about 30 minutes extra) then it will have even more flavour. This is because a lot of flavour is actually lost when you simmer a stock without a lid as it is carried with the steam into the air.
The great thing about the instant pot is that it doesn’t need your constant attention like a normal stockpot on the stove where you need to constantly monitor the temperature. I put the instant pot on, set the timer for two hours and flip on the T.V.
Pho Tai Tips
- Make sure the broth is boiling hot before you serve so when you add the rest of ingredients it stays hot
- Have the meat come to room temperature so it cooks nicely and the broth stays hot
- Salt the water heavily for the rice noodles so they are seasoned nicely
- You can freeze the meat slightly so it’s easier to slice thinly
Don’t Have an Instant Pot?
No worries, but you’ll have to wait as many people did before the era of fancy pressure cookers.
The method is the same except instead of cooking for 2 hours on high pressure you will need to simmer the broth for 10-12 hours. Make sure the bones are completely covered with water. Check the stock now and then to make sure the water doesn’t evaporate too much.
Pho Tai – The Ultimate Beef Bone Broth
Ingredients
For the Broth
- 1 kg beef bones marrow or neck bones or beef shank
- 2 small white onions skin on
- 1 head garlic sliced in half, skin on
- 1 piece ginger 1 piece roughly the size of your thumb, sliced in half
- 1 tsp coriander seed
- 3 piece clove
- 2 piece bay leaf
- 1 piece star anise
- 1 tbsp palm sugar or brown sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp fish sauce or worcestershire sauce
- 800 ml cold water
For the rest
- ½ pack rice noodles
- 200 g sirloin steak ½ lb
- 1 bunch fresh thai basil
- 1 whole chili sliced (optional)
- 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar for the chili
Instructions
- Brulée the ginger by burning it on a gas burner or torch until it's slightly blackened on the outside. If you don't have access to fire you can sear it quickly on high heat in a pan.
- Add all the ingredients with the water to the instant pot. Set on saute function (no lid) for 30 minutes and wait for it to boil.
- Once the water has come to a boil, skim off the scum and excess fat with a ladle and discard.
- Double check that the water level is at max level indicator on the inside of the instant pot, not higher or lower. Add more water or remove more water to make sure it's at the correct level.Put the lid on and set the timer for 2 hours @ high pressure.
- Wrap the steak in plastic wrap and freeze for approx. 30 minutes to make it easier to slice.
- After about 30 minutes, remove the meat from the freezer and slice thinly with a sharp knife. Refrigerate the sliced meat.
- When the instant pot timer goes off, turn off the machine and let it cool for 30 minutes. Also remove the sliced meat from the fridge to temper.
- Gather all the ingredients on a nice plate. Slice some fresh chili and add the tbsp of rice wine vinegar and place in a small bowl. Wash the basil and bean sprouts if necessary.
- Once the instant pot has cooled, carefully release the remaining pressure with the valve. Skim off the fat at the top with a ladle.
- Strain the beef stock through a fine mesh strainer into another pot. Check the seasoning on the broth – add more salt if desired. Bring to a boil and keep warm. Save any cooked meat and bone marrow in a separate bowl. Season with salt and pepper and reserve.
- Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Cook the rice noodles according to package instructions. Rinse in warm water when finished.
- To finish add the cooked rice noodles, a sprig or two of basil, the cooked beef and marrow and the raw meat into the serving bowls.
- Ladle over the hot broth and enjoy right away!
Notes
Nutrition
This post contains Amazon affiliate links to products I love using!
Easy, Perfect Every Time, Instant Pot Basmati Rice
Instant Pot Lemongrass and Chili Bone Broth
