Bò Lúc Lắc (Vietnamese Shaking Beef)
Local name: Bò lúc lắc
In short: Cubes of marinated beef seared in a very hot wok and shaken until browned, served on watercress and tomato with a lime, salt and pepper dip. It takes about 25 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 10 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 25 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 400 kcal
Bò lúc lắc means shaking beef, named for the way the cook shakes the pan so the beef cubes sear on every side. Tender sirloin is marinated in garlic, soy and oyster sauce, then cooked in two fast batches in a smoking-hot wok. It is served on a bed of watercress and tomato with a dip of lime juice, salt and pepper. It is a favorite at restaurants and weddings, and easy to make at home on a weeknight.
Instructions
- Toss the beef with the garlic, soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, sugar, pepper and the 1 tablespoon of oil. Marinate for 30 minutes.
- Stir the lime juice, salt and pepper together in a small dish for the dip. Arrange the watercress and tomatoes on a platter.
- Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons of the oil in a wok or heavy pan over very high heat until it just smokes. Add half the beef in one layer and leave it for 1 minute to sear.
- Shake and toss the pan for 2 to 3 minutes, until the cubes are browned all over and at least 63°C (145°F) in the center. Tip them onto a plate.
- Repeat with the remaining oil and beef. Add the onion to the pan for 1 minute, then return all the beef and toss for 15 seconds.
- Pile the beef over the watercress and tomatoes. Serve at once with the dip and steamed rice.
Tips
- Cook in two batches and keep the pan very hot. Crowding steams the beef instead of searing it, and it turns grey and tough.
- Sirloin and tenderloin are the usual cuts, but ribeye works well too. Pat the cubes dry before they go into the pan so they brown rather than steam.
Questions and answers
What does lúc lắc mean?
It means shaking, and it describes how the cook shakes the wok so the beef cubes sear on all sides.
What cut of beef is best for shaking beef?
Tenderloin or sirloin. Both stay tender when seared fast over high heat, and ribeye is a richer option.
What do you serve with bò lúc lắc?
Steamed rice, a salad of watercress and tomato, and the lime, salt and pepper dip. Some restaurants also serve it with fries.
How long does it take to make Bò Lúc Lắc (Vietnamese Shaking Beef)?
About 25 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 10 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Bò Lúc Lắc (Vietnamese Shaking Beef)?
About 400 kcal per serving, with 34 g of protein, 12 g of carbohydrates and 24 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 400 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 34 g |
| Carbohydrates | 12 g |
| Fat | 24 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 1100 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
