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!
In this post: everything you need for making this 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.
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 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.
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.
FAQs:
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.
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.
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.
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
Soy Braised Beef
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.
Looks delicious, can’t wait to try it.
Could this be made in a slow cooker?
yes, you can