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Meat, South and Southeast Asian

Bò kho with baguette

Bò kho is a Vietnamese beef stew simmered with lemongrass, star anise, and tomato paste, served with baguette for dipping. For 4 people, it takes 2 hours 10 minutes and a medium skill level, at about €3.80 per person. The key to success is slow cooking, the beef should cut with a spoon, no effort needed.

Tonight, bò kho, the Vietnamese beef stew with lemongrass and star anise, with baguette for dipping. It simmers, and it smells incredible.

Bò kho with baguette
Total time
2 h 10
Difficulty
Medium
Cost per person
€3.80
Calories per person
510 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Fall

Bò kho stands apart from the stews you might already know. Lemongrass and star anise perfume a tomato based broth that stays light rather than heavy, and the beef, cooked low and slow, eventually falls apart on its own. Fish sauce gives it that savory backbone typical of Vietnamese cooking, without ever overpowering the other flavors.

This is a Sunday dish, or one for a quiet weeknight when it can simmer while you do something else. The baguette on the side isn't an afterthought, it's what soaks up every bit of sauce down to the last drop. Count on this dish for a family meal or a get together with friends, a bit longer to cook but with no real technical difficulty.

The ingredients

4 people

Butcher

  • Beef chuck roast 800 g

Fruits and vegetables

  • Carrots 4
  • Lemongrass 2 stalks
  • Onion 2
  • Garlic 4 cloves
  • Cilantro 1 bunch

Pantry

  • Star aniseoften in the pantry 2
  • Tomato pasteoften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Fish sauceoften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Sugaroften in the pantry 1 tbsp
  • Neutral oiloften in the pantry 2 tbsp

Bakery

  • Baguette 1

Allergens Gluten, Fish, Soy

The step by step recipe

  1. Cut the beef into large cubes and brown it in small batches in the oil. 10 min

    Don't crowd the pot, the beef should sear, not steam.

  2. Add the onion, garlic, crushed lemongrass, star anise, and tomato paste, and cook for a few minutes. 5 min

    Crush the lemongrass with the back of a knife to release its aroma.

  3. Pour in water to cover, add the fish sauce and sugar, cover, and let simmer. 1 h 30

    Skim the foam at the start, the broth should stay clear.

  4. Add the carrots in chunks and continue cooking. 30 min

    They stay firm if you add them late.

  5. Remove the star anise and lemongrass, sprinkle with cilantro, and serve with warm baguette.

    Dip the bread straight into the sauce, that's tradition.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick a well marbled chuck roast rather than a lean cut, the fat melts during cooking and keeps the meat moist.
  • Keep the broth at a bare simmer, a hard boil toughens the beef instead of tenderizing it.
  • Make it a day ahead if you can, reheated bò kho tastes rounder the next day once the spices have had time to spread through the broth.

The variations

  • Swap the chuck roast for beef shank, which turns even more gelatinous after two hours of cooking.
  • For a vegetarian version, use button mushrooms and firm tofu instead of beef, and soy sauce instead of fish sauce.
  • To save time, cut the meat into smaller cubes and reduce the simmering to one hour, the texture will be a touch less tender.

What to serve it with

  • Warm baguette for dipping
  • Steamed white rice
  • Light green tea

Storage

Bò kho keeps for 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container, and it often tastes even better the next day. It freezes well for up to 2 months, just leave out the fresh cilantro. Reheat it gently in a pot, adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much.

Questions about this dish

Can you use dried lemongrass instead of fresh?

Yes, but use half the amount and let it steep a bit longer since dried lemongrass is more concentrated. The aroma will be slightly less vibrant than with fresh stalks.

Is fish sauce essential to this recipe?

It gives bò kho its signature savory backbone and is hard to replace exactly. In a pinch, a light soy sauce can work, though the flavor will be different but still decent.

Can you make bò kho ahead of time?

Yes, it's actually recommended, the dish deepens in flavor after a night in the fridge. Reheat it gently before serving and add fresh cilantro at the last minute.

Is bò kho a good dish for kids?

It's not designed specifically for kids since whole spices like star anise can be surprising. You can tone it down by removing the spices earlier and serving the sauce with rice instead of bread.

How long does it take to make a bò kho with baguette?

Count 2 h 10 in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “medium”.

How many calories are in a bò kho with baguette?

About 510 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a bò kho with baguette cost?

About €3.80 per serving, or €15.20 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, fish, soy. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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