Shaken Beef, or Bò Lúc Lắc, is a popular Vietnamese dish featuring tender beef cubes in a savory and slightly sweet sauce.

Shaken Beef (Bò Lúc Lắc) is a vibrant Vietnamese dish known for its flavorful, tender beef and savory-sweet sauce. The marinated beef is seared to perfection, then combined with crisp bell peppers, onions, and juicy cherry tomatoes, creating a delightful contrast of textures. The sauce, enriched with soy, oyster, and fish sauces, adds depth and umami. This dish is fantastic served over a bed of fresh mixed greens or alongside steamed rice, making it a satisfying and well-balanced meal. The combination of flavors and textures makes Shaken Beef a standout choice for a quick, delicious dinner.

Ingredients

• For the Beef Marinade
  • 1 lb beef sirloin or tenderloin, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 1 tbsp fish sauce
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • 1 tbsp minced shallots (optional)
  • 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil (for cooking)
• For the Sauce
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce or coconut amino acids
  • 1 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 1 tbsp fish sauce
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar, maple syrup, or honey
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • 1 tsp cornstarch or arrow root powder mixed with 1 tbsp water (for thickening)
• Additional Ingredients
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 cups mixed greens (such as lettuce, spring greens, arugula, spinach or watercress)

Directions

1. Marinate the Beef
   • In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, minced shallots (if using), and black pepper. Add the beef cubes and mix well. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator.
2. Prepare the Sauce
   • In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, brown sugar, and minced garlic. Set aside.
3. Cook the Beef
   • Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
   • Add the marinated beef cubes and sear until they are browned on all sides and cooked to your desired doneness (about 3-4 minutes per side). Remove the beef from the skillet and set aside.
4. Stir-Fry the Vegetables
   • In the same skillet, add the sliced onion and bell pepper. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until they start to soften.
   • Add the cherry tomatoes and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
5. Combine Everything
   • Return the beef to the skillet with the vegetables.
   • Pour the prepared sauce over the beef and vegetables. Stir well to coat everything with the sauce.
   • If you want a thicker sauce, add the cornstarch mixture and cook for another minute until the sauce has thickened.
6. Serve
   • Serve the shaken beef over a bed of mixed greens or with steamed rice.

If you’d like to add more veggies or tweak the flavors, feel free to adjust the recipe to suit your taste.