“Cheater” Pho Broth

Pho is definitely one of my comfort foods. It is light, flavorful, and warms your soul.

In fact, my husband and I have traveled around the Phoenix metro area on a quest to find the best pho.

I decided that I wanted to learn how to make pho at home, since we love it so much.

Real, authentic pho takes HOURS – bones are slow cooked with spices to make broth, and then meat, rice noodles, and (sometimes) vegetables are added to complete the meal.

There are a number of condiments one can add to the soup, but I prefer to eat it plain, because on its own it has so much favor.

I wanted to see if I could make a “shortcut” broth that still delivered on flavor, but was ready in a fraction of the time.

This broth is FULL of flavor, and is ready, using your InstaPot, in 30-60 minutes (depending on the amount of cycles that you choose to use).

NOTE: If you can find the more authentic ingredients, I would highly recommend them (I have linked the products I used from Amazon). Otherwise, I have included substitutions! 

Cheater Pho Broth
SERVES: 8

Ingredients:
2 cartons beef bone broth (or 4 small cartons) 
1 2” piece of fresh ginger (or 1T hot sauce)
2 cinnamon sticks
1T Coriander seeds
1T fennel seeds
6 star anise pods
6 cloves
1 pod black cardamom (can use regular if needed)
1/4c fish sauce
1” piece of rock sugar (or 1T turbinado sugar)

Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in InstaPot, and cook on Soup/Broth cycle for 1-2 cycles (30-60 minutes). If you do not have a soup setting, cook on high pressure for 30 minutes.

NOTE: It doesn’t really matter if you quick release the pressure or let your InstaPot gradually de-pressurize – whatever you have time for is fine!

Serve warm, with rare meat and/or tofu, vegetables (bok choy is great in this broth) and garnished with thinly sliced onions, cilantro, and thai basil.