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Chinese Soy Braised Beef

This soy braised beef is a typical Chinese homemade dish, so easy and delicious. It is one of my mum’s signature dishes that never fails to please family and friends. I can’t wait to share it with you!

Chinese soy braised beef
Chinese soy braised beef shank

In this post: everything you need for making this braised beef shank:

Ingredients

Recipe Notes

FAQs

The Full Recipe

Chinese soy braised beef
Chinese soy braised beef shank

Beef shank is a very affordable cut of meat. Once slow-cooked, it will turn into gelatinous meat that not only melts in your mouth but also thickens the sauce in which it is cooked.

Chinese soy braised beef
Chinese soy braised beef shank

This simple recipe only requires a handful of ingredients, many of which you might have on hand. The rice wine and sugar help to balance out the saltiness of the soy sauce, while the zingy ginger and the earthy aroma of star anise will naturally intensify the flavor of the beef.

Ingredients for Chinese Soy Braised Beef shank

star anises
  • Star Anises: Star anises is a strong spice. I hesitated to use more than a small amount. But I found that mum has been using 6-8 of them and that is what makes her version so tasty. You can start with 2 to 3 and then increase your comfort level as time goes on.
  • Beef: Beef shin is the best cut for this recipe. There are lots of collagen in meat, which makes it tender and flavourful after being slow-cooked. It is also a very cheap cut. You can use other cuts of beef as long as they are not too lean.
  • Soy sauce: The dark soy sauce is less salty than the usual soy sauce but it adds a nice browny color to the dish. The quality of the soy sauce is very important for this recipe. I use Lee Kum kee soy sauce.
Chinese soy braised beef
Chinese soy braised beef shank

Recipe Notes

  • If the pot is too small for the whole beef shin, you can cut it in half.
  • Remove and discard the ginger and star anises before serving.
  • You can cut it into thin slices and use it as a sandwich or burger filling.
Chinese soy braised beef
Chinese soy braised beef shank

FAQs:

Q: Can I use a different type of meat instead of beef for this recipe?

A: Certainly! You have the flexibility to choose different types of meat for this recipe. To ensure a tender and juicy result, it is recommended to select cuts of meat with higher collagen content. Consider options like beef brisket or oxtails as excellent alternatives that work wonderfully in this dish.

Q: Can I make this dish in a slow cooker?

A: Absolutely! You can choose to braise the beef in a slow cooker. However, when it comes to the second step, it is recommended to transfer the beef from the slow cooker to a saucepan in order to reduce the sauce. This step helps to concentrate the flavors and achieve the desired consistency.

Q: Can I make this recipe ahead of time and reheat it later?

A: Yes. You can absolutely make this recipe ahead of time and reheat it later if desired. However, it’s worth noting that this dish can also be enjoyed as a cold dish. In that case, there is no need to reheat it. If you prefer to warm it up, you can use a microwave to gently heat the dish.

Chinese soy braised beef
Chinese soy braised beef shank

This easy-to-make soy braised beef is a tasty hearty dish. Serve it over rice or noodles for a comforting meal any time of the year. Or eat it as a healthy protein snack between meals.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to savor this delicious recipe—try it today!

Other beef recipes you might enjoy:

Chinese green beans and ground beef stir-fry Simple and healthy stir-fry dish

Slow-cooked vegetable beef stew slow cook the beef and vegetables for a comfort meal

Slow-cooked Asian beef noodle soup Full of Asian flavors! For noodles soup lovers

Chinese soy braised beef

Soy Braised Beef

This soy braised beef is a typical homemade dish, so easy and delicious.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course, Snack
Cuisine: asian, Chinese
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Author: Lei
Servings 2

Ingredients

  • 1 kg Beef Shank (boneless)
  • 6 star anise
  • 2 slices ginger
  • 4 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoon rice wine
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 3 cup water (or cover at least half of the beef shin)

Instructions

  • Braising the beef: Add all the ingredients to the pot over high heat and bring it to a boil. Turn the heat down, put a lid on and let it simmer for two hours. (Turn the beef every half an hour so all sides are cooked in the sauce).
  • Reducing the sauce: Take off the lid and turn the heat to the highest. Stir and cook until the sauce is reduced to about 1/2 cup.
  • Serving: Slice the beef and serve with the sauce.

Recipe Notes:

  • If the pot is too small for the whole beef shin, you can cut it in half.
  • Remove and discard the ginger and star anises before serving.
  • You can cut it into thin slices and use it as a sandwich or burger filling.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 131kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 16gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 2565mgPotassium: 345mgFiber: 1gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 9IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 51mgIron: 3mg

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3 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Looks delicious, can’t wait to try it.

  2. Could this be made in a slow cooker?

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