Bo Kho (Vietnamese Beef Stew)
Bo Kho, a beloved Vietnamese beef stew, is a heartwarming dish that masterfully balances tender beef, aromatic spices, and a rich, flavourful broth. This slow-cooked...
- Prep time
- 20 min
- Cook time
- 1 hr 40 min
- Yield
- 4 servings
- Difficulty
- MEDIUM
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 500 gram beef chuck or brisket cut into chunks
- 1.5 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon fish sauce optional, omit for seafood-free
- 1 teaspoon sugar or honey
- 1 teaspoon five spice powder
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon shallots minced
- 1 teaspoon lemongrass finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 medium onion
- 2 medium carrots cut into chunks
- 2 medium tomatos chopped
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 cups beef stock
- 2 star anise
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 teaspoon ginger sliced
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- salt and pepper to taste
- coriander
- Thai basil
- lime wedges
- sliced chilies
Instructions
- 1
In a large bowl, mix the beef chunks with the marinade ingredients. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight for better flavour.
- 2
Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Sear the marinated beef chunks until browned on all sides. Remove and set aside.
- 3
In the same pot, add more oil if needed and sauté the onions until soft. Add the tomato paste, ginger, and chopped tomatoes, cooking until the mixture thickens.
- 4
Return the beef to the pot and add the beef stock, carrots, star anise, and cinnamon stick. Stir in the soy sauce and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
- 5
Cover the pot and let the stew cook on low heat for 1.5–2 hours, or until the beef is tender and the broth is rich and aromatic. Stir occasionally.
- 6
Taste the broth and adjust seasoning with more soy sauce, salt, or sugar as needed.
- 7
Ladle the stew into bowls and garnish with fresh coriander, optional Thai basil, and chillies. Serve with a crusty baguette for dipping, or over rice noodles for a heartier meal.