Vietnamese Beef Stew That’s Seriously Addictive | Bo Kho Recipe, by Cooking Island on YouTube. 8 min 1 s.
- Video length
- 8 min 1 s
- Time to do it
- 2 hours 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Cut the beef into large chunks and put it in a bowl. Add the garlic, shallot, chicken bouillon, fish sauce, sugar, pepper, bo kho seasoning and oil. Mix well and rest for at least 30 minutes.
Smash the lemongrass stalk with the back of a knife. Halve the onion and roast it in a dry pan or under a broiler until the cut sides are charred.
Heat a little oil in your pot and stir-fry the ginger, shallots, scallion whites and garlic until fragrant. Push them to one side.
Add the marinated beef and sear for about 5 minutes until lightly browned. Do it in batches if the pot looks crowded.
Pour in the coconut soda and 3 to 5 cups of water. Add the lemongrass, roasted onion, star anise and cinnamon. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer with the lid on until the beef is tender, about 1.5 to 2 hours.
Fish out the star anise, cinnamon and lemongrass. Add the carrots and potatoes and simmer until soft but not mushy, about 20 to 25 minutes.
Taste the broth and add sugar, salt or more fish sauce until the flavor balances.
For a silkier broth, mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp cold water and stir it in. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to thicken.
Ladle into bowls and serve hot with baguette, rice noodles or rice, plus herbs, bean sprouts and sliced onion.
Tips and common mistakes
Brown the beef in batches so it sears instead of steaming.
Add the potatoes and carrots late so they hold their shape.
Skim the foam off the broth in the first 15 minutes for a clearer stew.
If you use an Instant Pot, pressure cook the beef for about 25 to 30 minutes, then add the vegetables and cook 5 more minutes.
Questions
Which beef cut works best for bo kho?
Beef shank is the classic choice, but chuck roast or ribs work well too. Pick a cut with some fat and connective tissue so it turns tender during the long simmer.
Can I skip the coconut soda?
You can replace it with water plus a little sugar, but the soda adds sweetness and helps tenderize the meat. If you skip it, taste the broth and adjust the seasoning.
How long does bo kho keep?
Store it in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days. The flavor often deepens the next day, and it reheats well on the stove.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
