11/16/2025
Bò Kho - Vietnamese Beef Stew Recipe 🥩 🍲
Ingredients for Beef Marinade (1.4 kg / 3 lbs)
1.4 kg / 3 lbs beef, cut into large cubes
2 tbsp fish sauce
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 tbsp minced shallot (or minced onion)
2 tbsp canned tomato purée
1.5 tbsp Bò Kho seasoning (or substitute with 1 tbsp paprika, 1 tsp curry powder, 1 tsp of five spice powder)
*1 tbsp chicken bouillon (optional and very common)
*1 tbsp sugar (optional and very common)
Ingredients For the Pot / Stew
2 tbsp annatto oil (or regular oil)
2 tbsp minced lemongrass(2–3 whole lemongrass stalks to simmer later)
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 thumb ginger, sliced
3 bay leaves
2–3 star anise
3–4 carrots, cut thick
1 large onion, cut into quarters
4-5 cups beef broth (can substitute with chicken stock)
For serving:
Cilantro/Basil/Fresh herbs and lime to serve
Baguette, noodles, or rice
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Marinate the beef: Mix the beef with all marinade ingredients in a bowl. Rest for 30 minutes to an hour.
2. Prep the vegetables: Cut the carrots into thick chunks. Cut a large onion in half, then cut each half into quarters.
3. Sear the beef: Heat 2 tbsp oil or annatto oil in a large pot. Add the marinated beef and sear until golden. Halfway through searing, add the minced lemongrass (if using minced) and 2 tbsp tomato paste. Stir until fragrant and coated.
4. Add Carrots and Onions. Add the carrots and onions and mix with the beef. Then add enough broth to cover the meat. Bring to a boil, skim off any foam, then lower to a simmer.
5. Add aromatics: If using lemongrass stalks instead of minced, add them now. Add ginger slices, bay leaves, and star anise.
6. Cook: Simmer for at least 1.5-2 hours until the beef is tender and the broth is rich. You can do this faster in an Instapot/pressure cooker if you have one.
7. Final seasoning: Taste and adjust with sugar, fish sauce, bouillon, salt, and pepper.
8. Serve: Serve with warm baguette, noodles, or rice. Garnish with herbs, serve with a lime wedge, and enjoy!
