Oxtail Pho Instant Pot / Pressure Cooker Recipe (2024)

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By now, I think we all know what PHO is because it has become really popular over the recent years. If you haven’t heard of or sampled pho, worry not! Allow me make the introduction:

What the Pho?

Pho is a Vietnamese noodle soup that consists of beef broth, rice noodles, various cuts of beef, toppings that include bean sprouts, basil leaves, cilantro, chopped scallions, hot peppers and onion slices, and sauces that include hoisin, Sriracha and fish sauce. Authentic and rich pho broth may take several hours to make (I’ve seen 12 hour recipes!), as additional time allows the infusion of beef bones and aroma from multiple spices.

Pho is a staple in Vietnam. They’re served in households, restaurants and as street food. I have noticed increased exposure to pho and the Vietnamese cuisine on television, such as by the late Anthony Bourdain’s culinary travels on the Food Network. Its popularity may have also resulted from the rise in Vietnamese immigrants in the US. I recently traveled to Houston, TX, where you can find some of the BEST Vietnamese food in America. It is one of my favorite Asian cuisines and I’d recommend you visit Houston to see for yourself.

Oxtail Pho Instant Pot / Pressure Cooker Recipe (1)

Since my other half Steve is part-Vietnamese, our family cannot go more than 2 weeks without having a bowl of hot pho. If we’re not ordering pho for take-out, I am making it at home (with my Instant Pot … to save time). If you’re interested in chicken pho (Pho Ga), I have shared an Instant Pot recipe for that here as well.

Don’t Pho-get These Ingredients

Oxtail Pho Instant Pot / Pressure Cooker Recipe (2)

Pho has evolved over the years, but the following ingredients are typically found in traditional pho and are also used in my Instant Pot recipe:

  • Beef bones / oxtail (other parts may also be used, like flank steak)
  • Charred onions
  • Charred Ginger
  • Spices that include cinnamon stick, star anise, coriander seeds, black cardamom and fennel seeds. To bring out the aroma from these spices, they’re often toasted over a hot pan.
Oxtail Pho Instant Pot / Pressure Cooker Recipe (3)

As if that list of ingredients isn’t enough, pho is commonly served with garnishments that add to its already complex flavor profile. These ingredients include:

  • Thai basil
  • Bean sprouts
  • Scallion
  • Onion slices
  • Lime wedges
  • Jalapeno / Chili pepper
  • Sriracha / Chili sauce
  • Hoisin sauce
Oxtail Pho Instant Pot / Pressure Cooker Recipe (4)

The Pho-king Downside:

One thing I’d like to note with oxtail pho is that it can be quite fatty. If you’re trying to avoid a meal high in fat content, I’d advise trimming fat from the oxtail. Moreover, I find that it helps to remove fat with a skimmer. What may be more effective is allowing the hot broth to cool down, refrigerating it, then removing coagulated fat from the surface of the soup before reheating it again for serving. The beef broth is visibly clearer and less greasy when this is performed. Either way, fatty or not, the beef broth is delicious!

If you tried my recipe, please leave me a comment below to share your feedback, tag me @rackoflam and #rackoflam on social media and subscribe to my YouTube channel!

Oxtail Pho Instant Pot / Pressure Cooker Recipe (5)

Oxtail Pho Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Recipe

Pho is a popular Vietnamese noodle soup that sits in a very rich and delicious beef broth that can take several hours to make. With my recipe, this can be done in approximately 1 hour!

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Prep Time:15 minutes mins

Cook Time:40 minutes mins

Natural Pressure Release:20 minutes mins

Total Time:1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Course: Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine: Asian, Vietnamese

Keyword: Beef Pho, beef pho instant pot, oxtail pho instant pot, Pho, Pho Bo

Servings: 4

Equipment

  • 1 Pressure Cooker / Instant Pot

Ingredients

  • 2 to 2.5 lbs oxtail
  • 2 lbs beef bone
  • 2 medium onions halved
  • 1 large thumb ginger peeled and smashed
  • 8 cups water
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 3 tbsp fish sauce or to taste
  • 1 small Fuji apple peeled and cored

SPICE BAG

  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 3 star anise
  • 1 black cardamom pod
  • 1 tbsp coriander seeds
  • 1 tsp fennel seeds

TO SERVE

  • pho noodles
  • bean sprouts
  • basil leaves
  • lime wedges
  • chopped scallions
  • hoisin sauce
  • Sriracha
  • fish sauce

Instructions

  • Place oxtail and beef bones into a large pot (or in 2 separate pots), then fill with enough water to cover the beef. Bring to a boil over high heat, then discard the gunky water. Rinse the oxtail and beef bones until clean. Drain and set aside.

  • Turn on the sauté function of the Instant Pot. When the "hot" indicator is on, add the halved onions and smashed ginger. Allow the onions and ginger to char and flip to ensure this is done on both sides. No oil is needed.

  • When both sides of the onions and ginger have been charred, add the oxtail and sear until slightly browned (optional).

  • While the onions are charring and/or oxtail or searing, toast the spices by placing a dry pan on medium heat. In one layer, add all the spices to the pan, shaking or stirring to ensure even toasting, then remove when you can smell the aroma of the spices. Place them into a tea bag and tie tightly (see notes below for product links).

  • Add 8 cups of water into the Instant Pot, followed by the spice bag, apple, 1 tbsp sugar and 3 tbsp fish sauce (or to taste).

  • Pressure cook on high for 40 minutes with the steam valve in sealing position.

  • When time is up, allow the pressure to naturally release completely. Remove fat and residual scum from the beef broth with a fat skimmer (optional) and discard the spice bag. You may also let the broth cool down, refrigerate it, then remove coagulated fat before reheating the soup the next day.

  • To serve, boil pho noodles according to package instructions. place a serving into a bowl, then add the oxtail broth, along with other toppings and condiments of choice. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

PRODUCTS USED IN VIDEO

And the Pho Puns:

Pho-get about it.

Are you pho-real?

You are un-pho-gettable!

Oxtail Pho Instant Pot / Pressure Cooker Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you soften oxtail quickly? ›

Fortunately, you can tenderize the meat by boiling or braising it for several hours. Braising oxtail is strongly recommended because it adds flavor to the stock and the low and slow cook will tenderize the meat and cartilage and bring out flavor from the bones and marrow.

What meats are in pho? ›

The common ingredient of pho soup is beef bones and/or pork bones. They are in to be broiled for a long time to make clear broth (along with great number of spices). In certain case , there might be chicken bones. If rare beef slice in the toppings, it's Pho Tai.

Is it better to slow cook or pressure cook beef? ›

This completely depends on the type of meat you are planning on cooking. Because slow cookers take longer to cook, they are better suited to breaking down fat in meat while adding moisture. So if you are planning on cooking a whole rump beef, then a slow cooker is a better choice.

Do you have to brown oxtails before cooking? ›

Browning or searing the meat before slow cooking locks in all the flavors and juices in the meat. Plus, we season the oxtails with our seasonings and Worcestershire sauce before browning, which seals even more flavor into the meat. It's not a necessary step, but one that's well worth doing.

What is the secret ingredient in pho? ›

Sa sung—dried peanut worms—have been described as the secret ingredient of great pho.

What makes pho broth taste so good? ›

Broth - the soul of Pho. Beef bones play a crucial role in influencing the quality of the broth. Combined with spices such as ginger, charred onions, star anise, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and coriander seeds, the broth gains a distinct aroma.

What makes pho broth clear? ›

For the most flavorful and clear broth, your pot needs to be in a constant simmer. Take your time in the first 15 minutes or so to make adjustments to your temperature. This ensures that you have true simmering in the next 3-5 hours; no rolling boiling water, no dead still water either.

How long does it take for oxtail to get tender? ›

Fill with enough water to cover oxtails and place over high heat. Bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to medium. Cook oxtails until tender, 2 1/2 to 3 hours.

Why is my oxtail so tough? ›

As the meat braises, the collagen inside the cut cooks down and becomes gelatin; as it dissolves, the meat's fibers relax and tenderize. However, if the cooking temperature is too high, these muscle fibers will shrink and seize up, toughening.

What tenderizes oxtail? ›

There are many ways to tenderize oxtail before you actually start the cooking process. Low sodium soy sauce is my secret! Soy sauce helps the meat retain its moisture, tenderizes the meat, and enhances the savory flavor we all love.

What is the best meat to get in pho? ›

Get the Recipe: How To Make Pho: The Best Method for Most Home Cooks
  1. Flank Steak. This is our number-one pick for pho for flavor, texture, and price. ...
  2. Chuck Roast. This budget cut has nice marbling throughout the meat, which contributes to its big beefy flavor. ...
  3. Brisket.
Jun 8, 2019

What is the best protein for pho? ›

To control added fat and calories from meat, use a leaner cut of beef, such as top round. Leaner protein options, such as chicken or tofu, work well, too. Incorporating more vegetables and lean protein and reducing the amount of noodles in your pho can help fill you up more quickly, which may reduce overeating.

Are you supposed to drink pho broth? ›

Are you supposed to drink the broth in pho? Yes! The broth is the show's star in pho, giving the soup its unique flavor. The key is to savor each spoonful, so you can appreciate the complexity of flavors that make up this delicious dish.

Does pressure cooking make meat more tender? ›

Both slow cookers and pressure cookers do a good job of tenderizing tough meat, but each makes meat more edible in a different way. A pressure cooker is an enclosed pot with a lid that locks to form an airtight seal.

Can you put raw meat in a pressure cooker? ›

To cook meat without water in a pressure cooker, simply add the meat to the pot, along with any seasonings, herbs, or other ingredients that you like. Close the lid, seal the pressure release valve, and set the pressure cooker to high pressure.

Will pressure cooking cooked meat make it tender? ›

This technique also forces moisture into the food quickly. That's why things like meaty stews and curries are so perfect in a pressure cooker — all of the moisture makes for saucy, extra-tender, succulent results.

How long to leave meat in pressure cooker? ›

Season your meat as you normally would. Heat a little oil using the Sauté function and sear the meat. Add 1 1/2 cups of liquid (water, stock, etc.). Cook for 20 minutes (per pound of meat) at high pressure for large chunks and 15 minutes (per pound of meat) for small chunks.

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