Bò Kho (Vietnamese Beef Stew with Star Anise and Lemongrass)
Local name: Bò kho
In short: Beef chuck braised until tender with lemongrass, star anise, cinnamon and carrots in a red, fragrant broth, served with baguette or noodles. It takes about 2 h 25 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 2 h
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 2 h 25 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 410 kcal
Bò kho is the Vietnamese answer to beef stew, red-orange from annatto and tomato and scented with lemongrass, star anise and cinnamon. Chunks of beef chuck and carrot simmer until they give way under a spoon. It is a popular breakfast and weekend meal, eaten with a crusty baguette for dipping or over rice noodles. A squeeze of lime and a handful of Thai basil at the end brighten the rich broth.
Instructions
- Toss the beef with the garlic, minced lemongrass, 1 tablespoon of fish sauce, sugar, five-spice and pepper. Marinate for 30 minutes.
- Warm the oil with the annatto seeds in a heavy pot over low heat for 2 minutes, until the oil turns deep red. Scoop out the seeds. Raise the heat to medium, add the onion and cook for 3 minutes.
- Add the beef in two batches and brown for 5 minutes each. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the bruised lemongrass, star anise, cinnamon, ginger and water. Bring to a boil, skim, then cover and simmer gently for 1 hour.
- Add the carrots and simmer uncovered for 45 minutes more, until the beef is tender and the sauce has thickened a little. Season with the remaining fish sauce and the salt.
- Rest for 10 minutes. Ladle into bowls and top with herbs, lime wedges and chilies, with baguette or noodles alongside.
Tips
- Beef shin or chuck with some connective tissue gives the best texture and a silky sauce. A pressure cooker cuts the cooking time to about 35 minutes at high pressure.
- No annatto? Use sweet paprika with a pinch of turmeric for the color. Add daikon or taro chunks with the carrots for a heartier stew.
Questions and answers
How do you eat bò kho?
Tear pieces of baguette and dip them in the broth, or ladle the stew over rice noodles or rice. Add lime and basil at the table.
Can I make bò kho ahead of time?
Yes. It keeps for 4 days in the fridge and tastes better on the second day. Freeze it for up to 3 months and reheat gently.
Is bò kho spicy?
No. It is fragrant but not hot, and chilies are added at the table. The warm spices bring depth without heat.
How long does it take to make Bò Kho (Vietnamese Beef Stew with Star Anise and Lemongrass)?
About 2 h 25 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 2 h of cooking.
How many calories are in Bò Kho (Vietnamese Beef Stew with Star Anise and Lemongrass)?
About 410 kcal per serving, with 34 g of protein, 14 g of carbohydrates and 24 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 410 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 34 g |
| Carbohydrates | 14 g |
| Fat | 24 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 7 g |
| Sodium | 1000 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
