Authentic Vietnamese Beef Stew - Bo Kho

My all time favorite recipe, bo kho, to eat with Banh mi. OMG, what a perfect combination. My appreciation goes out to the original creator of this dish. Just amazing. Now we all can make these two fabulous and delicious foods at home and it tastes just like what you get at a good restaurant. This is authentic bo kho. You guys have to give this recipe a try. Let me know how you like it. Thank you for supporting Aimee’s Cooking. Your support makes a huge difference. I promise to continue to deliver more amazing recipes, so stay tuned 😉😉🤗🤗❤️❤️
Link to the Banh mi recipe:
• Banh Mi Recipe - crisp...
Ingredients
Tendons 1.5 lbs
Shanks 1.5 lbs
Brisket or roast 1.5 lbs
Part 1:
Marinate the meat with the following and rest for 30 minutes to one hour:
Sugar 3 tbsp
Salt 1 tbsp
Vegetables seasoning 2 tsp
Fish sauce 2 tbsp
Black pepper 1/2 tbsp
Garlic powder 1 tbsp
Chopped lemongrass 1 tbsp
Part 2:
The broth:
Oil 3 tbsp
Water 1/2 cup
Annatto powder 2 tbsp
Chopped garlic 1 tbsp
Chopped ginger 1 tbsp
Chopped lemongrass 2 tbsp
Whole lemongrass 2 sticks crushed
Basil leafs 1 tbsp
Chopped tomatoes 1 large
Tomato paste 3-4 tbsp
5 spice seasoning 1 1/2 tbsp
Spices: 1 cinnamon stick, 2 star anise, 1 cardamom
Carrots 3-4
White onions 1-2
Water 4 L
Coconut water .5 L
Part 3:
Final seasoning before serving. Only add a little at a time and adjust to taste. Since more or lass water might have evaporated due to variations in cooking time/temp, the sou
Sugar 2-3 tbsp
Salt 1-2 tsp
Fish sauce 1 -2 tbsp
Vegetables seasoning 1 tbsp
Thickening agent:
3 tbsp tapioca starch
3 tbsp water
Directions
1. Clean all the meat with salt water and pad dry.
2. Cut them into small chunks.
3. Cook tendons in the instant pot for 20-30 minutes, manual, quick release.
4. Combine all three meats and seasoning with the ingredients in the “meat marinate section”.
5. Set it aside and let it marinate for 30 minutes to one hour.
6. Prepare the broth by adding oil to a large pot on medium low heat.
7. Add in the annatto powder, garlic, chopped lemongrass, ginger, 5 spice seasonings, chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, lemongrass stalks, basil leaf powder, and 1/2 cup of water.
8. Add the meat.
9. Let it fry until well coated.
10. Add in 4 L of water and .5L of coconut water
11. Let it cook until the meat is soft.
12. Then add in carrots and white onions.
13. When the carrots and white onions are soft.
14. Add in the final seasonings and thickening agent.
15. Continue cooking for another 10-15 minutes so everything can blend and set.
16. Serve with Banh mi, rice, or noodles.
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[@indahivanovmoscowrusia8892]

Yay, I have been waiting for this recipe for awhile. Thanks Aimee !

[@AimeesCooking]

You’re so welcome Dear!! 😘

[@mishanguyen6145]

Ok, just hearing your voice on how to make it, I'm sold! Yay ! I think I can do it😁 I will have to give u update on finish product🥰 thank you so much for sharing 😘

[@AimeesCooking]

Yay!!! Yes!!! Let me know how it turns out. 👏👏👏

[@maggienguyen8127]

This is one of my favorite dishes to make. My family loves wen I make Bo Kho.

[@ellenlee8297]

I’m glad you show how to prepare the beef. Thank you much

[@AimeesCooking]

You’re welcome🙂

[@melinda.thatha]

My vietnamese husband really like it when i make bo kho. He says it’s the best and it tastes like home. the secret is, i use this particular recipe! 😁 thank you very much!

[@AimeesCooking]

You’re welcome ❤️

[@jessievu2635]

This recipe is AMAZING! I have tried various Bo Kho recipes over the years... and this definitely takes the cake! Will be my go-to from now on! Thanks so much for sharing!! P.S Hope you have a sneaky Bun Rieu recipe! :D

[@AimeesCooking]

Woohooo!! Thanks for trying. You’re awesome. Yes, bun rieu is on my list. Stay tuned 😉

[@alenakim6900]

I’ll be trying this out thank you it looks delicious!

[@AimeesCooking]

This one is really good. We usually make Banh mi to eat along with it. Enjoy and happy eating!! ❤️😁

[@odhinkparront8289]

Menu masakan yang lezzat👍👍👍👍

[@sandyvang4732]

This was so good! Thank you for sharing

[@AimeesCooking]

Love to share 😉❤️

[@elenaperlas4290]

Yummy 😋

[@jesselaa9397]

I'm excited to try this!!!!! 🤤😋🤤😋

[@AimeesCooking]

Enjoy😃

[@jesselaa9397]

@@AimeesCooking I live on the island of Hawaii and I've tried looking high and low for those cuts of meat and I'm having a difficult time... ESPECIALLY the tendon.... Would you mind suggesting some alternatives that aren't too far from the original but are more easily found? MAHALO YOU 🤙🏾🤙🏾🤙🏾

[@lazikitchen767]

Bò chị làm ngon và đẹp mắt nữa 😍

[@AimeesCooking]

Dạ cảm ơn chị ❤️

[@JackyTMusic]

Thay ngon wa chi oi, cam on ne!

[@SuperBUDDHA76]

Looks sooooo delicious 😋

[@AimeesCooking]

Thank you!! ❤️

[@anhhoang4658]

I have just done with it. So yummy. Thank you a lot and have a good evening.

[@AimeesCooking]

Thanks for trying. ❤️❤️❤️

[@2lyfs509]

I just made this. Good recipe. One thing I did not do was sauté the beef so the flavors absorb. For some reason I had too much liquid so I only sauted for 10 mins before adding the water. Taste good!

[@lauriephuongertley3616]

Thank you for this thorough tutorial, Aimee. What about some chili peppers for heat? Would you add peppers at the end?

[@AimeesCooking]

Yes, for sure. Add desire amount to your liking. 🙂

[@albundy1956]

Ooh man, this dish I gona make. Thnx Aimee´.

[@AimeesCooking]

Yay!!! Super. You’re so welcome. Let me know how you like it 🤗🤗

[@IamAlwaysWatching445]

Hi AL , Peggy Bundy hasn't learn to cook yet and have you cook still? hee hee j/k love ur name ,you can cook way better than Peggy anyday.

[@byoung1520]

I watched a bunch of videos for bò kho but this one is the closest to my favorite restaurant, Phở Số 1

[@satomigushiken6921]

I tried this and it was soooo good 👍 thank you for sharing this amazing recipe! could you make bun rieu recipe?

[@AimeesCooking]

You’re welcome. I will, it’s on my list 😉

[@aileenlangley640]

Hi Aimee, this looks amazingly delicious 😋 I will try to cook this for sure. Thank you for sharing this recipe you are so detailed & very clear in explaining for the instructions and the ingredients . God bless you!

[@AimeesCooking]

Thank you so much for your feedback. Love to share. I am happy to hear you are considering the recipe. Enjoy and please let me know how you like it . Love!! 💕💕💕

[@aileenlangley640]

We love Vietnamese food and love going to Vietnamese restaurants here in Toronto but they don't serve that authentic soup. Not a doubt i will learn to cook this recipe and let you know. Thank you Aimee .🥰

[@AimeesCooking]

You’re so welcome ❤️

[@nemesisbreakz]

I love dipping bread in it

[@tiffd849]

What brand of 5 spice seasoning did you use? Looks amazing 😋

[@nanihuynh5527]

I am making your banh mi and bo Kho today ❤️

[@AimeesCooking]

Awesome!! Enjoy. ❤️

[@dendgt]

Hello Aimee! How long can i keep it in the chiller?

[@kim-thoatran1195]

OMG! It is absolutely amazing!! I made it using the ingredients you listed. The only thing I omitted was cardamon cauze I didn't have it at home. I've never made bo kho using fresh ingredients. I would not do anything differently. Thank you so much for a wonderful recipe.

[@Unsensitive]

Thanks so much for the recipe. I added extra pepper, a bit of cayenne, and some cubed radish. I tossed in a tbsp of home-made vinegar for a touch of acid to brighten it up, but I feel like it's missing something for my taste. Maybe a bit more umami for a deeper rich flavor and bit spicier. Any recommendations? _Edit: just needed a bit more time to reduce and concentrate the flavors! Added about double the black pepper and extra cayenne. The lemon grass and other flavors were much better when concentrated._

[@fairburn1970]

I've changed a few things to get a richer taste: 1. I use less water (2.7 L instead of 4 L), 2. I'm roasting the marinated meat in my Dutch oven (2-3 hrs marinating suits me better) and begin Part 2 of the recipe with the remaining roast flavors in the Dutch oven. This way I'll get a deeper flavor but also a darker soup. In addition I add some additional spices which enrich the flavor of the soup.

[@thiennguyen988]

thank you for sharing

[@AimeesCooking]

You’re so welcome 😉

[@tiramisuNoW]

This turned out so good!! Excluded the cardamon, cinnamon, and star anise since I didn’t have them. Will never buy pre-made seasoning again! Thanks so much!

[@AimeesCooking]

You’re so welcome ❤️

[@vietnamemperor123461]

The beef stew looks amazing and well presented. However when I cook this dish I don't use fish sauce but instead I use soy and a little oyster sauce. I used the already marinated bo kho marinated bag package that already prepared it turn out just as delicious as using the 5 spice powder. I notice some other people also put some potatoes in this dish. Is that even right? Since I was little child I known this dish is cook with only carrots.

[@lordbacon4972]

Thank you for this recipe! Is the lemongrass edible or is it mainly for flavoring? I noticed your recipe uses a lot of lemongrass (either chopped up, or cut stalks). I remember biting into lemongrass stalk and it was extremely tough fiber-like texture and seemed inedible. If this is true, even the chopped up lemongrass would be inedible, is that true? Should I put the chopped up lemongrass into a herb bag so that after cooking the broth I can remove all the lemongrass easily? Thank you!

[@doodahgurlie]

Such a great looking end product! My sister-in-law (SIL) made amazing tasting bo kho years ago. I'll have to ask her what she did different in hers. I think her broth was thicker so it clung to the baguette better. BTW, I thought most Vietnamese people only use the anatto oil so they strain out the remnants. Does leaving it in make the broth gritty at all?

[@AimeesCooking]

Yes, I use the seeds too. Didn’t have any on hand. The powder is just fine. No difference in taste or texture.

[@doodahgurlie]

@@AimeesCooking Good to know!

[@professorm4171]

Nice, this is like a Vietnamese curry. Saw tooth coriander goes well with this beef dish.

[@AimeesCooking]

👍🏻

[@aznmochibunny]

Ironically, Vietnam does have its own version of curry.

[@professorm4171]

@@aznmochibunny Not as developed as Thai or Cambodian.

[@ConstantlyRepeatingMyself]

@@professorm4171 Be abuse it’s not curry. It’s beef stew with the addition of curry powder as one of the seasonings.

[@lilychau1671]

Hi sis, I m making this on the wkend and your recipe looks closest to the bk in vn. Just wondering why is packaged bk seasoning isn't used in this, many recipes use the package bk seasoning, does the spices you used sub the packaged spices? Thanks

[@jennyphamho2253]

Looks yummy. Can I use top sirloin steak? Bc I have a lot lol

[@AimeesCooking]

Yes. That works.

[@QuynhNhu714]

Did you use Thai basil or regular basil?

[@JT-zb2km]

Amazing. I can't find the recipe.

[@kimngo831]

Hi Aimee. .5 liter is how many cups of coconut water

[@angelalinli3988]

Hello :) what would you recommend as a substitute for Annatto powder?

[@AimeesCooking]

Paprika but the color won’t be the same and the smell will also be different. Would still recommend annatto powder. You can use the seeds if the powder is now available. The seeds need to cooked in oil. Try googling how to use it first.

[@angelalinli3988]

Aimee's Cooking Thank you! I will try to hunt for it ◡̈ Take care!

[@AlexiaRoseFit]

Can I use a different meat for the tendon if I don't like tendon? Or does it add a certain flavor to the stew??

[@AimeesCooking]

Use any type of beef you like 🙂

[@jennyphamho2253]

Is it Thai basil leaves you added or regular dried basil leaves

[@kellynguyen6146]

Yes I want to know also

[@live4travel]

Hello Aimee, I'm cooking your recipe now. Will let you know how it looks and taste.

[@AimeesCooking]

Hope it came out to your liking. 🙂

[@live4travel]

Thank you for the recipe. I added beef cartilages and it was a hit with my family❤❤

[@theories88]

How long should I cook the tendons for if I'm not using an instant pot?

[@AimeesCooking]

Hard to say depending on the amount and your heat source. Stop when it gets to the texture you prefer.

[@Teecru]

Uust made this for my girlfriend, turned out great! Didn't realize how many servings it made until the end hahaha

[@AimeesCooking]

That’s awesome! I am glad you guys enjoyed it. Freeze what’s left and eat it at a later time 😉😁

[@aroonburanasakorn5553]

If you boil tendon, shank and brisket for a few minutes that way you can cut them easily.

[@AimeesCooking]

Noted, thank you for your feedback 😉

[@moishglukovsky]

What is "vegetable seasoning"?

[@Aznguh30]

What vegetable seasoning did u use?

[@AimeesCooking]

Veege Taste Brand. Product of Japan.

[@cassandraphu6171]

When you let it sit to marinate, do you leave it outside or in fridge?

[@AimeesCooking]

I just leave mine on the counter. Refrigerate if you plan to leave it overnight. 🙂

[@kellynguyen6146]

What temperature did u cook the beef stew once u add the 4L water? Also dried or fresh basil?

[@kellynguyen6146]

Did u put a lid on when u cook it?

[@AimeesCooking]

About medium heat. Shouldn’t be boiling hard. Just simmer it. No lid.

[@kellynguyen6146]

I cooked it yesterday and my bo kho is so cloudy, the broth is not clear and I didn’t have the color like yours. It might got scoop off when I skim the scum. Yours beef stew looks great. Any tips?

[@AimeesCooking]

Try not to let the soup boil to much. That will produce a lot of impurities, which, you will have to skim. Low to medium heat and a slow cook is the best.

[@lieu724]

How many does this serve

[@HaQDang]

Did I mess up by adding all the dry seasonings into the hot oil? The color of it came out red and not the brownish color.

[@doodahgurlie]

The coconut water is actually coconut milk, right? Because it appears white to me instead of clear.

[@AimeesCooking]

Coconut water. The white mixture is tapiocas starch mixed with water to thicken the broth.

[@PeterPhou]

What’s vegetable seasoning? Haha I tried googling it but couldn’t pin point it

[@AimeesCooking]

You can find it at the Asian grocery. It will say vegetarian seasoning, veggie taste brand .

[@leeanntran102]

I made this many times but today I think I put too much tomatoes paste and didn't let it cook long enough before putting the meat in. The soup looks kind of cloudy and I used different meat. I usually just use whatever thats in the house. That's what I get trying to cook while I'm pregnant and almost want to gag cooking it. Now I'm just waiting for it to cook for an hour and putting the rest in. I'm sure it will still come out good as always just the cloudy part is bugging me.

[@leeanntran102]

I took the cloudy part out and now it's boiling. It actually look better more of the color from the video

[@aldamagdalena2824]

Terjemahkan ke bahasa indonesia ya

[@AimeesCooking]

Can anyone help translate?

[@anniel3249]

Too long winded.

[@Networkprofessor]

It's probably not going to go well but I need to streamline this recipe to "man" style. Sorry for messing up your recipe in advance.

[@suckaducka5607]

I’m gonna ask my mommy if she can teach me how to make her bo kho recipe.