A vibrant dish with a delicious sweet-savory flavor that cooks up faster than takeout!
When you live on a private road like me, one that is not recognized by GPS systems, it can be both a blessing and a curse. On the positive side, our home has ample privacy and zero traffic noise to contend with. However, the flip side is that it can take an act of Congress to get any kind of food delivered. And when we’re craving something specific like Vietnamese food, my husband or I will occasionally muster up the energy to drive and pick up takeout. Most of the time, though, it’s just easier to make whatever dish we’re craving at home.
Shaking beef is one of my husband’s favorite Vietnamese dishes, and this recipe definitely brings the flavor. Tender pieces of beef are marinated with umami-rich ingredients like soy sauce and fish sauce and then seared to perfection. There’s also a hint of sweetness in this dish, thanks to the brown sugar in the marinade, which balances perfectly with the savory garlic and onions. Served alongside fresh lettuce and sliced tomatoes, it’s a delicious contrast with the sizzling hot beef.
Considering this dish only takes five minutes to cook (after marinating for a quick 30 minutes), we can definitely make it much faster than it would take to pick up takeout. Which, when you’re equal parts hungry and tired after a long day of work, is a total win!
Is Shaking Beef Healthy?
With a balance of hearty meat and fresh veggies, this dish is rich in protein and also contains fiber. In the right portions, it’s a perfect meal to satisfy cravings and keep you full for many hours. That being said, if you’re concerned about the sodium level in the marinade, consider using coconut aminos or low-sodium soy sauce instead of traditional soy sauce. You could also swap out the fish sauce with rice vinegar to further cut down on sodium while still preserving some depth of flavor.
If you’d prefer to not use brown sugar, try replacing it with coconut sugar, honey, or maple syrup. Keep in mind that natural liquid sugars will change the marinade’s consistency, but they’ll still create a nice caramelization of the meat. Lastly, you could use melted coconut oil instead of vegetable oil, which has a high smoke point and offers a sweeter flavor.
Why Is It Called Shaking Beef?
Known as Bò Lúc Lắc in Vietnamese, the dish became known as shaking beef due to its cooking method, which requires the chef to shake the beef cubes around the hot pan to prevent sticking and ensure all sides are evenly cooked. Shaking beef originated in Saigon under French influence, but numerous iterations exist today, including a very similar Cambodian version known as Lok Lak.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, or in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Allow the beef to thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. To reheat, simply sauté the beef in a pan or wok over high heat until it starts to sizzle and is warmed through.
Serving Suggestions
Classically, this dish is best served with lettuce and tomatoes alongside a bowl of steamed Jasmine Rice. However, it would also be incredibly delicious on a big plate of Vegetable Fried Rice, or even Cauliflower Fried Rice, if you’re watching your carb intake.
Additionally, if you’re looking for an appetizer to round out the meal, consider serving it with Vietnamese-inspired Spring Rolls or Shrimp Spring Rolls and a delicious Peanut Sauce for dipping.
Ingredients
- 1 pound beef sirloin cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 small red onion thinly sliced
- 1 bunch watercress or mixed salad greens
- 1 large tomato sliced
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the beef cubes with the soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, and black pepper. Marinate for 30 minutes.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add the beef in a single layer, searing for 30 seconds before shaking or stirring to cook the other sides until browned. You only want to cook the beef about 2 minutes total.
- Remove the beef from the heat and let it rest. In the same pan, quickly sauté the red onion slices until just softened.
- Arrange the watercress or salad greens and tomato slices on a serving platter. Top with the seared beef and sautéed onions.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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