Irresistible Instant Pot Bo Kho Recipe (Vietnamese Beef Stew)

Rip apart a loaf of soft French bread ready to dip into this insanely tasty Instant Pot Bo Kho recipe. This delicious Vietnamese beef stew is made with juicy beef chunks, a mountain of nutritious veggies, and loaded with flavors from various herbs, spices, and bone broth. 

The stew traditionally takes several hours to simmer on a regular stovetop to achieve a rich broth and tender beef. However, with this Instant Pot Bo Kho recipe, you can have the same results in a fraction of the time!

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What Is Bo Kho?

Bo Kho, aka Vietnamese beef stew, is a fragrant dish enjoyed with different accompanying side dishes across Vietnam. The ingredients for Bo Kho include beef, lemongrass, carrots, shallots, garlic, ginger, tomato paste, star anise, and cinnamon. 

The name Bo Kho roughly means ‘braised beef’ in English. However, the term ‘kho’ is often used in Vietnamese recipes to refer to the cooking methods used when braising different meats until they are tender and flavorful. 

History of Bo Kho

Although surprising to Americans, Bo Kho is served as a breakfast dish in Northern Vietnam!

However, it is served as a savory main meal with noodles in Central Vietnam and bread in Southern Vietnam.

These noodles and bread soak up the tasty umami-flavored broth and help bulk out the otherwise predominantly veggies and meat dish. 

Although the exact origin of the traditional Bo Kho recipe is unknown, this dish likely originated from the French-style stew known as a ragout and other Chinese influences such as the Cantonese braised beef stew. 

Each Vietnamese family will have its own unique recipe for a Bo Kho. Still, they typically use lemongrass, star anise, and Chinese five-spice as the base flavor.

Bò Kho also does not use canned tomatoes or potatoes like the other worldly stews and instead uses a concentrated tomato paste for a hint of tomato flavor and a little extra color in the broth. 

Healthy Ingredients in Bo Kho

Vegetables

The carrots, shallots, herbs, and green onion in this recipe contain several vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, magnesium, calcium, iron, potassium, and vitamin K. 

Bone Broth

A high-quality bone broth can support your joints, immune function, and digestion. It also contains collagen, which can help with anti-aging!

Ginger and Garlic

It’s not just an old wives tale that ginger and garlic are great for helping your body fight off illnesses like the common cold! 

Beef

Although red meat should be consumed mindfully, beef is packed with protein, iron, and zinc.

Protein is essential for growing and repairing your body and can help you maintain muscle mass.

Zinc is also helpful for maintaining your health, and iron is necessary for transporting oxygen around your body.

Beef also contains B12, which cannot be found naturally in plant foods. 

Carbohydrates

Of course, the health benefits will depend on which carbs you choose to serve with this dish, but rice, noodles, and bread can help you have more energy throughout the day. 

5 Tips for Making Bo Kho in an Instant Pot

This Instant Pot Bò Kho recipe is easy enough that even a beginner in the kitchen should be able to whip this up in no time and without too much of a headache. Here are my top tips for making this recipe at home and have you giving a *chef’s kiss*.

Tip 1. Marinate Your Beef

If you have the time, marinate your beef cuts for at least 30 minutes before cooking in your pressure cooker. You could even marinate them overnight. Then set the Instant Pot in the morning before work to start cooking later in the day and welcome you with the smell of the tasty stew as you walk in the door. 

Tip 2. Experiment With Textures and Flavors

Use one of the recommended beef cuts or mix in a few different cuts to experience a variety of textures and flavors throughout your meal. 

Tip 3. Enjoy It The Next Day

This recipe is delicious the following day and can be enjoyed as leftovers with noodles, rice, or fluffy French bread. Serve with a new carbohydrate side each day to maximize your meals.  

Tip 4. Don’t Forget the Garnish

Before serving, don’t forget to garnish with fresh cilantro, Thai basil, and green onions. You may also wish to serve with lime wedges on the side to squeeze onto the strew right before eating for a citrusy note. 

Tip 5. Add Some Heat (If You Desire!)

Add a dash of chili powder (with the Chinese five-spice) or a splash of chili oil (before serving) to your Bò Kho to ramp up the heat in this dish. 

What Are the Best Beef Cuts for Bo Kho? 

The best beef cuts are beef stew meat, shank, tendon, and boneless beef chuck, trimmed and cut into 1 1/2 chunks. But, any cut of beef can work well in this recipe. As it is cooked in the liquid, it shouldn’t dry out and will soak up the flavor from the broth.

The beef shank is from the cow’s leg, while the tendon is the area between a cow’s bone and muscle.

Both of these cuts tend to be on the tougher side. However, they will tenderize in the pressure cooker, making this a good recipe if you have any tougher cuts of meat needing to be used up.

These cuts are also full of flavor and can come alive with the help of the other ingredients in this recipe. 

Instant Pot Bo Kho Recipe

Ingredients

Servings: 2 to 3

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 to 1 1/2 pounds of beef stew meat (or you can get boneless beef chuck, trimmed and cut into 1 1/2-inch chunk)
• 1 lemongrass stalk (bruised)
• 1 shallot (minced)
• 1 clove of garlic (minced)
• 2 slices of ginger
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 star anise
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 carrots (peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks)
• 1 tsp fish sauce (I use Red Boat Fish Sauce which is gluten-free!)
• 1 1/2 cups of beef bone broth

Marinade

• 1 1/2 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tsp tamari
• 1/2 tbsp brown coconut sugar
• 1/2 tsp Chinese five-spice powder

Garnish

• garnish with cilantro and green onion
• serve with rice stick noodles and/or a French baguette

Cookware and Tools

• Mixing bowl
• Kitchen knife
• Instant Pot
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Wooden kitchen utensils

Instant Pot Bo Kho Recipe (Step-by-Step)

Step 1. Marinate the Beef

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the fish sauce, tamari, brown coconut sugar, and Chinese five-spice powder. Then add the beef stew meat and ensure it’s all evenly coated.

Step 2. Sear the Beef

Set the Instant Pot to Saute mode and sear the beef stew meat until it’s brown, for about 2 to 3 minutes on each side. After you’re done searing, remove it from the Instant Pot and set it aside. Don’t worry about it not being fully cooked at this time.

Step 3. Cook the Aromatics

Next, add the shallots and garlic. Saute for 1 to 2 minutes until the shallots have softened. Finally, add the remaining aromatics: cinnamon stick, star anise, ginger, and lemongrass.

Step 4. Add Final Ingredients and Cook

Lastly, add your carrots, seared stew meat, beef bone broth, fish sauce, and tomato paste. Set the Instant Pot to Pressure Cook (or Manual) for 20 minutes and ensure the sealing knob is set to seal.

After the Instant Pot beeps, allow it to naturally release (which should take about 20 more minutes).

Garnish with your toppings of choice and serve with rice stick noodles.

How to Store Bo Kho

You can enjoy this tasty Vietnamese recipe straight from the Instant Pot as soon as it ‘pings’ or store it to eat as leftovers over the following week. 

Allow the stew to cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To reheat, simply defrost overnight or reheat from chilled on the stove or microwave until piping hot throughout. 

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• How to Make Vietnamese Red Rice
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• Easy Instant Pot Pho Ga (Chicken Pho)
• Sticky Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken
• Easy Vietnamese Chicken Curry (Cà Ri Gà)

Did you make this recipe? Please leave a comment and star rating below! I’d love to hear from you.