Vietnamese Shaking Beef (Printable)
Juicy marinated beef cubes seared high-heat with crisp vegetables, served with tangy lime dipping sauce for a vibrant Vietnamese dining experience.
# What you'll need:
→ For the Beef
01 - 1.1 lb beef sirloin or tenderloin, cut into 3/4 in cubes
02 - 2 tbsp soy sauce
03 - 1 tbsp oyster sauce
04 - 1 tbsp fish sauce
05 - 1 tbsp sugar
06 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1 tbsp vegetable oil
→ For Stir-Frying
09 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil
10 - 1 medium red onion, sliced into wedges
11 - 1 small green bell pepper, cut into chunks
12 - 1 small red bell pepper, cut into chunks
13 - 2 spring onions, cut into 2 in lengths
→ For the Lime Dipping Sauce
14 - 1 lime, juiced
15 - 1/2 tsp salt
16 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
→ To Serve
17 - 3.5 oz watercress or baby greens
18 - 2 medium tomatoes, sliced
19 - Steamed jasmine rice (optional)
# Directions:
01 - In a large bowl, combine beef cubes with soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, sugar, black pepper, minced garlic, and 1 tbsp oil. Toss well to coat evenly. Let marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 1 hour for deeper flavor penetration.
02 - Mix lime juice, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl until salt dissolves. Set aside at room temperature until serving.
03 - Spread watercress or baby greens across a large serving platter. Arrange tomato slices over the greens in an even layer.
04 - Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or large nonstick skillet over high heat until the oil shimmers and begins to smoke slightly.
05 - Add marinated beef in a single layer. Let sear undisturbed for 1 minute to develop a deep brown crust. Do not overcrowd the pan.
06 - Rapidly shake or stir-fry the beef for 2-3 minutes until browned on all sides but still juicy and slightly pink in the center.
07 - Add onion wedges and bell pepper chunks. Stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until just tender-crisp. Add spring onions and toss for 30 seconds.
08 - Transfer the hot beef and vegetables directly onto the prepared platter over the watercress and tomatoes. Serve immediately with the lime dipping sauce and steamed jasmine rice.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The contrast between the caramelized seared beef and crisp vegetables is absolutely addictive
- That tangy lime dipping sauce pulls everything together in a way that feels like magic
- It comes together in under 30 minutes but tastes like something from a restaurant
02 -
- Crowding the pan will steam the beef instead of searing it, so work in batches if necessary
- Letting the beef sear undisturbed for that first minute is what creates the caramelized crust
- The dipping sauce should be mixed just before serving to keep the lime flavor bright
03 -
- Cut your beef while it is slightly firm from the refrigerator for cleaner, more uniform cubes
- Pat the beef dry before marinating if it has excess surface moisture for better searing