Instant Pot Beef Rib Phở: Authentic Vietnamese Comfort Food Made Easy at Home
If you’ve ever wanted to recreate a rich, soulful bowl of Vietnamese phở at home, this is your sign. My Instant Pot Beef Rib Phở recipe captures the depth and comfort of traditional phở, with a simplified method using a pressure cooker and ingredients you can find at any Austin Asian grocery store. Whether you're a longtime phở lover or cooking Vietnamese food for the first time, this bowl delivers bold flavor with minimal effort.
Instant Pot Beef Rib Phở: Authentic Vietnamese Comfort Food Made Easy at Home
Ingredients
For the broth:
2.5 to 3 lbs beef short ribs
1 large yellow onion, halved
1 piece fresh ginger (~3 inches), halved
1 Vietnamese phở spice packet (from local Asian market)
10 cups water
1 tbsp salt
1 tbsp fish sauce
1 tsp rock sugar (or white sugar)
For the bowl:
Medium-width dried rice noodles (bánh phở)
Thinly sliced onion
Fresh herbs: Thai basil, cilantro, culantro (ngò gai)
Bean sprouts
Lime wedges
Hoisin sauce and Sriracha (optional)
Thinly sliced raw beef (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Char Aromatics
Set your Instant Pot to Sauté. Place the halved onion and ginger cut-side down and sear for 5–7 minutes, until charred and fragrant.
Step 2: Pressure Cook the Broth
Add beef short ribs, spice packet, water, salt, fish sauce, and rock sugar. Pressure cook on High for 45 minutes, then let naturally release for 15 minutes. Skim off excess fat or foam.
Step 3: Strain and Season
Remove the spice packet, onion, and ginger. Transfer ribs to a plate. Taste broth and adjust seasoning with more fish sauce or salt as desired.
Step 4: Prepare Noodles & Toppings
Cook noodles per package instructions. Blanch bean sprouts. Set out fresh herbs, onion, and lime wedges.
Step 5: Assemble Your Phở Bowl
Add noodles to a bowl. Top with beef ribs and optional raw sliced beef. Ladle hot broth over to cook the meat. Garnish generously. Add hoisin or Sriracha to taste.
Tips for the Best Instant Pot Phở
Use high-quality beef short ribs for rich flavor.
Charring aromatics deepens the broth.
The spice packet brings traditional flavor without guesswork.
Skim fat for a clean, clear broth.
Don’t skip the herbs—they bring balance and freshness.
Where to Find Ingredients in Austin
You can find phở spice packets, bánh phở noodles, and fresh herbs an Austin’s Asian Market staple - MT Supermarket. Shopping locally supports our Asian-owned grocery stores and keeps your pantry stocked with authentic ingredients.
Final Thoughts
This Instant Pot Beef Rib Phở is proof that restaurant-quality Vietnamese food can be made in your kitchen. Whether you're cooking for your family or impressing friends, this bowl delivers comfort, tradition, and Austin flavor all in one.