Dried Spicy Beef (Khô Bò)

Ingredients

• 500 g beef (Thinly sliced; partially freeze for about 15 minutes before slicing to make cutting easier.)
• 1 tbsp lemongrass (Minced.)
• 3 cloves garlic (Minced; the source gives 3–4 cloves.)
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp five-spice powder (The source also lists five-spice powder among the ingredients.)
• 2 tsp oyster sauce (Listed as “oyster oil” in the source.)
• 0.5 tsp salt (Season again to taste if desired.)
• 1 tbsp white sugar
• 0.5 tsp Maggie seasoning powder (The source calls this “Maggie Seasoning Powder.”)
• 3 tsp cooking oil (For frying the garlic and beef.)

Steps

1. 1

   If desired, place the beef in the freezer for about 15 minutes to firm it slightly and make slicing easier. Clean the beef and slice it thinly.

2. 2

   In a bowl, mix the minced lemongrass, chili powder, five-spice powder, oyster sauce, salt, white sugar, and Maggie seasoning powder until evenly combined.

3. 3

   Use your hands to rub the seasoning mixture over every slice of beef. Place the seasoned beef in a bowl, cover it with a plastic bag, and refrigerate for 6–7 hours.

4. 4

   Heat the cooking oil in a pan. Add the minced garlic and fry until fragrant.

5. 5

   Add the marinated beef to the pan. Cover the pan and cook over high heat for 3 minutes.

6. 6

   Use chopsticks to turn the beef slices over so that their other sides cook, then reduce the heat and continue cooking for 20–25 minutes.

7. 7

   Remove the lid and adjust the seasoning to taste if needed. Continue cooking until the broth is nearly absorbed into the beef, then turn off the heat.

8. 8

   Allow the beef to cool enough to handle. Transfer the pieces one at a time to a wooden board and gently smash each piece.

9. 9

   Arrange the smashed beef on a tray lined with grilling paper. Grill at 100°C for 15 minutes.

10. 10

    Turn the beef pieces over and grill for 15 minutes more. Grill longer if desired for a drier product that will keep longer.

11. 11

    Store the dried beef in a glass jar. Serve as a snack or with green papaya.

Notes

The source does not specify the beef cut, exact additional seasoning amounts for the final adjustment, or the type of grill. It states that longer grilling can help the beef keep longer. Storage duration is not provided.

Nutrition per serving

• snack
• Vietnamese
• Southeast Asian
• spicy
• beef
• marinated
• grilled
• make-ahead