Discover the bold flavors of Fiery Vietnamese Beef Stew with our easy recipe! This dish features tender beef chuck, aromatic spices, and vibrant vegetables simmered to perfection for a deliciously cozy meal. Perfect for family dinners or impressing guests, follow our simple steps to create this comforting stew.
2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1-inch piece ginger, grated
2-3 red Thai chilies, sliced (adjust to taste)
2 star anise
1 cinnamon stick
4 cups beef broth
1 tablespoon fish sauce
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
2 carrots, sliced
1 daikon radish, sliced
1 red bell pepper, sliced
Fresh cilantro and lime wedges for garnish
Salt and pepper to taste
![For this stew, I use beef chuck. It has great flavor and tenderness when cooked long. I cut it into 1-inch cubes. You need around 2 lbs for a hearty meal. The base of this stew comes from fresh veggies and aromatics. I use: - 1 large onion, finely chopped - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 1-inch piece ginger, grated - 2-3 red Thai chilies, sliced (adjust to your spice level) - 2 carrots, sliced - 1 daikon radish, sliced - 1 red bell pepper, sliced These add depth and fresh flavor to the dish. The onion, garlic, and ginger create a fragrant base. The spices bring warmth and complexity. I include: - 2 star anise - 1 cinnamon stick - 4 cups beef broth - 1 tablespoon fish sauce - 2 tablespoons soy sauce - 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce - Salt and pepper to taste These ingredients make the stew rich and savory. I also recommend using fresh cilantro and lime wedges for garnish. It adds a bright touch to the dish. For the full recipe, you can refer to the section above. Start by gathering all your ingredients. This makes cooking easier and fun. Chop your beef into 1-inch cubes. Finely chop the onion, and mince the garlic. Grate the ginger and slice the chilies. Make sure to adjust the spice to your taste. You can peel and slice the carrots and daikon radish. For the red bell pepper, slice it into bite-sized pieces. This prep work sets you up for success. Heat vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the beef cubes and sear them until they are browned. This takes about 5-7 minutes. Browning adds deep flavor to the stew. Once done, remove the beef and set it aside. In the same pot, add the chopped onion. Cook until it turns translucent, which takes about 5 minutes. Then, stir in the garlic, ginger, and chilies. Cook for another minute or two until fragrant. Next, add the star anise and cinnamon stick. This brings warmth to the dish. Return the seared beef to the pot. Pour in the beef broth, fish sauce, soy sauce, and hoisin sauce. Bring everything to a boil. After that, lower the heat and cover the pot. Let it simmer for about 1.5 hours. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. After the beef is tender, it’s time to add your sliced carrots, daikon radish, and red bell pepper. Cook uncovered for another 30 minutes. Taste your stew and season with salt and pepper as needed. Before serving, remove the star anise and cinnamon stick. Serve in bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro and lime wedges. Enjoy this comforting, spicy dish! For the full recipe, check out the details above. To get tender beef, start with a good cut. I recommend using beef chuck. It has fat that melts and makes the meat soft. Cut the beef into 1-inch cubes for even cooking. Searing the beef in hot oil is key. This adds flavor and helps keep the juices in. Cook it until it is browned on all sides. After that, let it simmer slowly. This makes the beef tender over time. You control the heat! If you love spice, use 3 chilies. For less heat, start with 1 or 2. Slice the chilies and taste as you go. You can always add more spice later. Remember, the heat can build while cooking, so don’t rush. You can also add a bit of sugar to balance the heat. This gives a nice flavor without making it too sweet. Serve this stew with steamed jasmine rice. The rice soaks up the flavorful broth. You can also add fresh herbs like cilantro on top. Lime wedges give a nice burst of flavor. For extra crunch, consider a side of pickled vegetables. They add a nice contrast to the warm stew. For a complete meal, a simple green salad works well too. You can find the full recipe in the earlier section for more details! {{image_2}} You can swap some ingredients for a different taste. For the beef, try using pork or chicken. If you want a lighter stew, lean cuts work well too. Instead of daikon radish, use potatoes or parsnips. You can replace red Thai chilies with jalapeños for a milder spice. Fresh herbs like basil or mint can add a new twist. You can cook this stew in various ways. If you prefer slow cooking, simply put everything in your slow cooker. Set it on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. This method makes the beef super tender. You can also use an Instant Pot. Cook on high pressure for about 35 minutes. Make sure to do a natural release for the best results. To make a vegetarian version, skip the beef and use mushrooms or jackfruit instead. They absorb flavors well and add a hearty texture. Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth. For the fish sauce, try a vegan alternative made with seaweed or soy sauce. This way, you can still enjoy that rich umami flavor without meat. Feel free to mix and match these ideas to create your own unique spicy Vietnamese beef stew. For the full recipe, check out the previous section. You can store Spicy Vietnamese Beef Stew in the fridge. Let it cool down first. Place it in an airtight container. It stays fresh for up to three days. To keep the flavors, avoid adding fresh herbs until serving. If you want to freeze your stew, it works well. Use freezer-safe containers or bags. Make sure to leave space for expansion. The stew can be frozen for up to three months. When you're ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the fridge. Reheating the stew is simple. You can use the stove or microwave. If using the stove, heat it over low heat. Stir often to avoid burning. If using a microwave, heat in short intervals. Stir between each interval until it's hot. Enjoy your warm, flavorful meal! For the full recipe, check out the details above. Spicy Vietnamese Beef Stew, or Bo Kho, comes from Vietnam. It is a warm dish loved by many. This stew blends French and Vietnamese flavors. The French brought stews to Vietnam during their rule. Locals added spices and herbs unique to their culture. The result is a rich, flavorful dish with a spicy kick. You can easily tone down the heat in this stew. Start by using fewer red Thai chilies. You can also remove the seeds from the chilies. This will help reduce the spice level. Another option is to add more beef broth or vegetables. This will dilute the heat without losing flavor. Lastly, a bit of sugar can balance the spice. Yes, you can use a slow cooker or Instant Pot for this stew. For a slow cooker, brown the beef first. Then, add all the ingredients and cook on low for 6-8 hours. For an Instant Pot, follow the same steps. Use the sauté function to brown the beef. Then, cook on high pressure for about 35 minutes. Both methods will give you a tasty meal. For the complete recipe, check the [Full Recipe]. This blog covered how to make a tasty Spicy Vietnamese Beef Stew. We looked at key ingredients like meat, veggies, and spices. I shared step-by-step cooking instructions and helpful tips for the best flavor. You also learned about delicious variations and how to store leftovers. In closing, this stew is easy to tweak to fit your taste. Enjoy cooking and sharing this dish with family and friends!](https://themomdish.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/c567550c-24d1-4b07-8cea-30a06ec58d5d-300x300.webp)