Coconut Lemongrass Beef Curry (Ca Ri Bo)
Fall-apart tender beef chunks simmered in a golden, coconut milk-enriched curry perfumed with lemongrass, star anise, and Vietnamese curry powder. Lighter and more aromatic than its Indian or Thai cousins, this Vietnamese curry is meant to be sopped up with crusty baguette or spooned over rice noodles, with sweet potato and carrot melting into the luscious sauce.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
- 1 can (13.5 oz) full-fat coconut milk
- 2 stalks lemongrass, bruised and cut into 3-inch pieces
- 1 large sweet potato, peeled and cut into chunks
+ 12 more ingredients
Instructions
Season beef cubes with 1 tablespoon curry powder, 1 tablespoon fish sauce, and half the minced garlic. Toss well and marinate for at least 15 minutes.
Heat annatto oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over high heat. Sear the beef in batches until deeply browned on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per batch. Do not crowd the pot. Set beef aside.
In the same pot, reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining garlic, onion wedges, and lemongrass. Sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant.
Add the remaining curry powder and stir for 30 seconds to bloom the spices in the oil. The kitchen should smell incredible at this point.
Pour in the coconut milk and beef stock. Add star anise, bay leaves, remaining fish sauce, and sugar. Stir well and bring to a simmer.
Return the seared beef to the pot. Cover and simmer on low heat for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add sweet potato and carrot chunks. Continue simmering uncovered for another 25-30 minutes until the beef is fork-tender and the vegetables are soft. The sauce should reduce and thicken naturally.
Taste and adjust seasoning — add more fish sauce for salt, sugar for sweetness, or chili garlic sauce for heat. Remove lemongrass, star anise, and bay leaves.
Ladle into deep bowls. Garnish with fresh Thai basil and serve with warm, crusty baguette for dipping into the curry sauce, or over rice noodles.
Nutrition Estimate
Per serving • Estimated by Blinner AI