Lemongrass Coconut Braised Beef Shanks with Star Anise
Tender beef shanks are slow-braised in a fragrant broth infused with aromatic lemongrass, creamy coconut milk, and the warm spice of star anise. This rich and comforting dish offers a delightful blend of sweet, savory, and subtly spiced flavors, reminiscent of classic Vietnamese comfort food.
Prep Time
240 min
Difficulty
Medium
Servings
4
Calories
650 kcal
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the aromatics: Bruise the lemongrass stalks and chop them into 2-inch pieces. Mince the garlic and ginger. (0 minutes)
- 2
Sear the beef shanks in a large pot with vegetable oil over medium-high heat until browned on all sides. Remove beef and set aside. (10 minutes)
~10 min - 3
Add the bruised lemongrass, minced garlic, and ginger to the same pot and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. (2 minutes)
~2 min - 4
Return the beef shanks to the pot. Add coconut milk, water, star anise, cinnamon stick, fish sauce, rock sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil. (5 minutes)
~5 min - 5
Reduce heat to low, cover the pot with a lid, and simmer gently for 3 to 3.5 hours, or until the beef is fork-tender. (210 minutes)
~210 min - 6
Skim off any excess fat from the surface if desired. Adjust seasoning with more fish sauce or salt if needed. (0 minutes)
- 7
Serve hot, spooning the braising liquid over the beef shanks. Garnish with fresh herbs like cilantro or green onions if desired. (0 minutes)
Tips
- For an even richer flavor, you can marinate the beef shanks with a little fish sauce and pepper for 30 minutes before searing.
- This dish is excellent served with steamed rice, banh mi, or vermicelli noodles. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and the flavors often deepen overnight.
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