Vietnamese Shaking Beef

Vietnamese Shaking Beef (Bò Lúc Lắc) is a flavorful and tender dish that combines succulent pieces of seared beef with a savory, tangy sauce, and a refreshing bed of crisp salad. The name “shaking beef” comes from the way the beef is quickly seared in a hot wok or pan, where it’s tossed, or “shaken,” to cook evenly. The dish is known for its balance of umami, sweetness, and acidity, achieved through the marinade of soy sauce, oyster sauce, and a touch of sugar. Paired with a simple salad of fresh greens, tomatoes, and lightly pickled onions, and often served over rice or with French fries, this dish is an excellent combination of textures and flavors that make it a delightful meal for any occasion.

Ingredients:

For the Beef Marinade:

  • 1 lb (450g) beef sirloin or tenderloin, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
  • 1 teaspoon fish sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper

For the Sauce:

  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

For the Salad:

  • 1 cup lettuce leaves, roughly torn
  • 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 medium tomato, sliced
  • Fresh cilantro for garnish

For Cooking:

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Instructions:

  1. Marinate the Beef: In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, sugar, minced garlic, and black pepper. Add the beef cubes and toss well to coat. Cover and let the beef marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator.
  2. Prepare the Salad: In a small bowl, combine the sliced onions with rice vinegar and sugar. Let it sit for about 10 minutes to lightly pickle. Arrange the lettuce and sliced tomatoes on a serving plate and top with the pickled onions. Set aside.
  3. Make the Sauce: In a separate bowl, mix together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, and black pepper. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Set aside.
  4. Cook the Beef: Heat the vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the marinated beef cubes in a single layer. Let them sear undisturbed for 1 minute to develop a nice crust. Shake or toss the beef to cook evenly on all sides for another 2-3 minutes, until the beef is just cooked through but still tender.
  5. Add the Sauce: Pour the sauce over the beef in the wok and toss well to coat the beef. Let the sauce cook with the beef for about 30 seconds to blend the flavors.
  6. Serve: Transfer the cooked beef onto the prepared salad bed. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve immediately with steamed rice or crispy French fries.

Tips:

  • For the best results, use a tender cut of beef like sirloin, tenderloin, or ribeye.
  • Make sure the pan is hot before adding the beef to achieve a nice sear.
  • Adjust the sweetness and tanginess of the sauce to your taste by adding more sugar or rice vinegar.

Enjoy your Vietnamese Shaking Beef as a delightful balance of flavors that dance on the palate!

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