Spiced Beef in Soy Sauce, a beloved dish deeply rooted in Chinese culinary heritage, is celebrated for its rich flavor, tender texture, and aromatic spices. It’s commonly served as an appetizer, a snack, or an addition to various meals. Follow this step – by – step guide to recreate this timeless classic in your own kitchen.
Ingredients
For the Beef
- 1 kg beef brisket. Opt for beef brisket as its marbling and texture hold up well during slow – cooking, resulting in tender and flavorful meat.
For the Spice Marinade
- 6 – 8 dried red chilies
- 10 – 12 cloves of garlic, smashed
- 6 – 8 slices of ginger
- 2 tablespoons fennel seeds
- 2 tablespoons star anise
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 tablespoon Sichuan peppercorns
- 1/2 cup light soy sauce
- 1/4 cup dark soy sauce
- 1/4 cup oyster sauce
- 1/4 cup rock sugar
- 2 tablespoons cooking wine
Step – by – Step Cooking Process
Preparing the Beef
- Trim any excess fat from the beef brisket. Cut the brisket into large chunks, about 8 – 10 cm in size. This size helps the beef retain its shape and absorb the marinade evenly.
- Place the beef chunks in a large pot filled with cold water. Bring the water to a boil over high heat. As the water boils, skim off the scum and impurities that rise to the surface. This step helps remove blood and impurities, resulting in cleaner – tasting beef. Let it boil for 2 – 3 minutes, then remove the beef chunks and rinse them under cold running water. Set aside.
Preparing the Spice Marinade
- In a large saucepan, combine the dried red chilies, smashed garlic cloves, ginger slices, fennel seeds, star anise, cinnamon stick, Sichuan peppercorns, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, rock sugar, and cooking wine. Add enough water to cover the beef chunks. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium – low. Let it simmer for 10 – 15 minutes to allow the spices to infuse the liquid, creating a rich and flavorful marinade.
Cooking the Beef
- Place the pre – boiled beef chunks into the saucepan with the simmering marinade. Make sure the beef is fully submerged in the liquid. Bring the marinade to a boil again, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the saucepan and let the beef simmer for 1.5 – 2 hours. Check the tenderness of the beef by inserting a fork. The fork should slide in easily, indicating that the beef is cooked.
- After simmering, turn off the heat and let the beef soak in the marinade for at least 2 – 3 hours, or preferably overnight. This allows the beef to absorb more flavor and become even more tender.
Serving
- Remove the beef from the marinade. Slice the beef against the grain into thin slices. Arrange the slices on a serving plate and drizzle some of the marinade over the beef. Garnish with scallions or coriander for an added touch of freshness.
This Spiced Beef in Soy Sauce is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed at any time. Whether it’s for a family dinner, a party, or as a snack, it’s sure to be a hit with everyone!
