Description
A rich and aromatic Vietnamese beef stew (Bò Kho) made with tender slow-cooked beef, carrots, and a deeply flavorful broth infused with lemongrass and warm spices.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless beef roast (chuck or round), cut into chunks
- 5–6 medium carrots, cut into large pieces
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch fresh ginger, minced
- 2 lemongrass stalks, trimmed and crushed
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 3 whole star anise
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 bay leaves
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- For serving:
- Fresh cilantro
- Green onion
- Thai basil
- Lime wedges
- Thinly sliced onion
- Crusty bread or rolls
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a large pot over medium heat. Brown half of the beef on all sides, then remove. Repeat with remaining beef.
- Add remaining butter to the pot. Cook onion, garlic, ginger, and lemongrass until fragrant.
- Stir in tomato paste, star anise, cinnamon sticks, and bay leaves. Cook briefly to release flavors.
- Pour in beef broth, scraping the pot to release browned bits.
- Return beef to the pot and add carrots.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 90 minutes until beef is tender.
- Stir in fish sauce, then remove lemongrass and whole spices.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Serve hot with herbs, lime wedges, and crusty bread.
Notes
- Chuck roast works best for tender results.
- Remove whole spices before serving.
- Can be made in a slow cooker or pressure cooker for convenience.
- Add potatoes or daikon for variation.
- Flavors deepen when stored overnight.
- Freeze up to 3 months for longer storage.
- Reheat gently to maintain texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Vietnamese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
