• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Posh Journal
  • Recipes
  • Collections
  • Subscribe
  • About
    • Contact
    • Disclosure/Privacy Policy
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Collections
  • Subscribe
  • About
    • Contact
    • Disclosure/Privacy Policy
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Collections
    • Subscribe
    • About
      • Contact
      • Disclosure/Privacy Policy
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Homepage » Recipes

    Bo Luc Lac Recipe (Vietnamese Shaking Beef)

    Published: Mar 24, 2021 This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 27 Comments

    656 shares
    • Share18
    • Tweet
    • Yummly
    • Mix
    • WhatsApp
    • Flipboard
    • Telegram
    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    Bo Luc Lac - Vietnamese Shaking Beef

    Today I want to share a very tasty Bo Luc Lac - Vietnamese Shaking Beef recipe with you. This shaking beef is one of the most popular menu items that you would find at Vietnamese restaurants. It's loaded with sweet and savory flavors, yet, it's so easy to make.  It's the perfect dish to make on special nights. 

    Bo Luc Lac Recipe (Vietnamese Shaking Beef)
    Jump to:
    • What is Bo Luc Lac?
    • About This Bo Luc Lac Recipe:
    • The Best Meat to Use for Vietnamese Shaking Beef 
    • Bò Lúc Lắc Ingredients and Variations
    • How to Make Shaking Beef at Home:
    • Tips for Making a Good Stir Fry
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    What is Bo Luc Lac?

    Bò Lúc Lắc is a famous Vietnamese beef stir fry. In the Vietnamese language, bo means beef, and Lúc Lắc means shaken. 

    Shaking beef gets its name from the shaking and stirring technique used during cooking.

    This special technique helps develop evenly browning on all sides of the meat while keeping it juicy on the inside. It also helps deglaze the pan. 

    This main dish contains stir-fried cubes of marinated beef and is served on a hot plate over fresh watercress with a bowl of rice.

    About This Bo Luc Lac Recipe:

    This shaking beef recipe requires a short marinating process to enhance the flavor. In addition, letting the meat sit at room temperature before cooking will produce juicier and more evenly cooked meat. 

    After marinating for 30 minutes. you should cook the meat on high heat for a short period of time, then stir-fry the remaining ingredients in the sauce.

    Bo Luc Lac Recipe (Vietnamese Shaking Beef)

    The Best Meat to Use for Vietnamese Shaking Beef 

    You may use any type of tender beef cut to make shaking beef. Expensive beef fillets such as rib-eye will be extremely tasty, but a cheaper cut like flank steak or sirloin strip will also taste great.

    Here are some tender beef cuts that can be cut and used in stir fry recipes: sirloin, ribeye, top loin, tenderloin, shoulder top blade (flat iron, or shoulder center (Ranch steak).

    Don't buy pre-cut stir fry meat. I highly recommend buying the beef in bulk so you can then cut the beef yourself and save money. 

    Vietnamese Shaking Beef.

    Bò Lúc Lắc Ingredients and Variations

    To make shaking beef at home, you will need beef, diced red bell pepper, diced yellow onion, oyster sauce, low-sodium soy sauce, dark soy sauce, sugar, fish sauce, black pepper, and fresh watercress.

    Fish Sauce: If it's not available in your pantry, you can use soy sauce instead of fish sauce (2:1 ratio).

    Stir Fry Sauce.

    How to Make Shaking Beef at Home:

    Step 1. Make the Marinade Sauce

    In a small bowl, mix sugar, fish sauce, low-sodium soy sauce, dark soy sauce, and oyster sauce. Stir to combine. Reserve about 1 tablespoon of marinade sauce for stir fry.

    Step 2. Marinate the Beef Cubes

    In a large bowl, add beef cubes, minced garlic, and marinade sauce. Stir to combine. Marinate the meat for 30 minutes at room temperature.

    marinated beef cubes.

    Step 3. Sear the Beef

    In a large wok, heat about ½ cup of oil over high heat until beginning to smoke.

    Cook half of the marinated beef until slightly charred on all sides and medium-rare inside for about 1 minute.

    Remove from the heat and set aside.

    stir fry onion.

    Step 4. Cook the Vegetables

    • In a clean wok, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over high heat until beginning to smoke. Add diced yellow onion, cook, and keep stirring for 1 minute.
    • Cook diced red bell pepper and keep stirring for 1 minute.
    beef stir fry.
    • Add the seared beef and 1 tablespoon of marinade sauce. Cook and stirring constantly, until the sauce has thickened for about 3-5 minutes. Do not overcook the meat.
    Vietnamese beef stir fry.

    Tips for Making a Good Stir Fry

    Tips #1. Prepare All the Ingredients

    Stir-frying is a quick process so you need your ingredients close-at-hand and ready to go. It's therefore important to set out all of your ingredients before you turn on the heat, in order to prevent burning or over cooking.

    Tips #2. Marinade the Meat

    Most cuts of beef benefit from being marinated. A marinade adds flavor and helps tenderize the meat.

    Tips #3. Remove Excess Water from Ingredients

    Make sure that you pat vegetables or meat dry before adding them into a wok.

    Tips #3. Pick the Right Skillet

    If you don't have a wok you can use a cast-iron skillet instead. A cast-iron skillet can retain just as much heat as a wok, which makes it a perfect substitution for wok.

    Tips #4. Cook on High Heat

    Cooking on high heat is crucial. Commercial ranges come with burners that generate heat levels much stronger than even the best home range.

    Tips #5. Cook the Vegetables and Meat separately

    Tips #6. Do Not Overcrowd the Pan

    Choose the right size of skillet to do the job. Do not put too many ingredients in the wok to avoid steaming and uneven cooking.

    If you need to double the recipe, cook in multiple batches.

    Tips #6. Keep Stirring

    Keep stirring the food to avoid burning and uneven cooking.

    Vietnamese Shaking Beef.

    FAQ and Cooking Tips:

    How Long Does Leftover Beef Stir Fry Last in Fridge?

    First, let the leftover Bò Lúc Lắc - Vietnamese Shaking Beef cool down before transferring it to an airtight container.
    Properly stored, it will last 1-2 days in the refrigerator or up to 3 months in the freezer. 

    How Do You Reheat Beef Stir Fry?

    You can reheat the leftover beef stir fry, covered with a microwave-safe lid for up to 2 minutes in the microwave or on the stove over medium-low heat to avoid overcooking. It's important to reheat leftovers to 165°F.

    What Cut of Beef is Best for Stir Fry?

    You can use sirloin, ribeye, top loin, tenderloin, shoulder top blade (flat iron, or shoulder center (Ranch steak).

    Check Out More Asian Recipes:

    • Char Kway Teow
    • Laksa Soup
    • Soto Ayam
    • Egg Drop Soup with Crab Meat
    • Sweet and Sour Fish
    • Homemade Crab Rangoon
    • Instant Pot Fried Rice
    • Chicken in Black Bean Sauce
    • Chinese Eggplant with Minced Pork
    • Spicy Sichuan Noodles
    • Chinese Sausage Fried Rice
    • Hunan Beef Cumin
    • Shrimp and Green Peas Stir Fry
    • Minced Pork Noodles Soup

    📖 Recipe

    Bo Luc Lac Recipe (Vietnamese Shaking Beef)
    4.97 from 26 votes

    Bo Luc Lac

    Rika
    This shaking beef is one of the most popular menu items that you would find at Vietnamese restaurants. It's loaded with sweet and savory flavors, yet, it's so easy to make.  It's the perfect dish to make on special nights. 
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 8 mins
    Course Main Dish
    Cuisine Vietnamese
    Servings 6
    Calories 376 kcal

    Ingredients
     

    • 1¾ pound rib-eye or top sirloin steak , (trimmed, cut into 1½-inch cubes, and pat dry)
    • 1 cup diced red bell pepper
    • 2 tablespoon minced garlic
    • 1 cup diced yellow onion
    • ¾ teaspoon black pepper
    • ½ cup + 1 tbsp vegetable, peanut, or canola oil

    Marinade Sauce:

    • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce, (add more according to your liking)
    • ½ tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
    • ½ tablespoon fish sauce
    • 2 tablespoon dark soy sauce
    • 1 tbsp + 1 tsp sugar, (use more or less sugar according to your liking)

    For Serving:

    • fresh watercress

    Instructions
     

    • In a small bowl, combine all the marinade sauce ingredients. Reserve 1 tablespoon of marinade sauce for stir fry.
    • In a large bowl, add beef cubes, garlic, black pepper, and marinade sauce. Stir to combine and marinate for 30-60 minutes at room temperature.
    • In a large wok or cast-iron, or non-stick skillet, heat ½ cup of oil over high heat until beginning to smoke. Working in multiple batches, cook the beef until slightly charred on all sides and medium-rare inside for about 1 minute.
      Transfer the seared beef to a plate.
    • In a clean wok, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over high heat. Add yellow onion, cook, and, keep stirring for about 1 minute. Add red bell pepper, cook, and keep stirring until tender and slightly charred for about 1 minute.
      Add seared beef and 1 tablespoon of marinade sauce. Cook and keep stirring until the sauce has thickened and starts to caramelize for about 3-5 minutes. Do not overcook the meat.
      Taste the meat, adjust the seasoning with extra oyster sauce or salt if needed.
    • Arrange the shaking beef on the bed of watercress. Serve and enjoy with white rice.

    Video

    Notes

    Fish Sauce Please note that not all fish sauce products are created equal and they usually have different sodium levels. 
    To add saltiness to the dish, just add a small amount of salt. Do not go overboard with fish sauce or all you’ll taste is fish sauce.
    You can purchase fish sauce at any Asian grocer or Target, Kroger/Ralphs, Vons, and Amazon.com
    How to Store the Leftover First, let the leftover Bò Lúc Lắc - Vietnamese Shaking Beef cool down before transferring it to an airtight container.
    Properly stored, it will last 1-2 days in the refrigerator or up to 3 months in the freezer. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 376kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 28gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 81mgSodium: 651mgPotassium: 481mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 800IUVitamin C: 35mgCalcium: 26mgIron: 3mg
    Keyword bo luc lac, shaking beef, Vietnamese shaking beef
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Recipes

    • Garlic Turmeric Rice
    • Gnocchi with Mascarpone and Tomato Sauce
    • Air Fryer Buffalo Wings
    • Beer Braised Chicken Thighs
    656 shares
    • Share18
    • Tweet
    • Yummly
    • Mix
    • WhatsApp
    • Flipboard
    • Telegram

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Did you like this recipe? Leave a star rating! I'd appreciate it! Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Sally Pederson

      March 26, 2021 at 2:47 am

      That looks delicious. However, I think if I made it, it would not look as good. But I guess as long as I can make it taste good, is all the really matters.

      Reply
      • Rika

        April 09, 2021 at 11:17 am

        Thanks, Sally! I hope you'll enjoy this Shaking beef recipe.

        Reply
    2. Mama Maggie's Kitchen

      March 26, 2021 at 3:14 am

      5 stars
      Hmm yum! This is making me crave! Your Bo Luc Lac recipe looks absolutely delish!

      Reply
      • Rika

        April 09, 2021 at 11:18 am

        Thanks, Mama Maggie!

        Reply
    3. Catalina

      March 26, 2021 at 3:19 am

      5 stars
      Yum! This beef sir fry looks amazing! Must make it for my family!

      Reply
    4. Marysa

      March 26, 2021 at 5:39 pm

      Sounds like a delicious recipe for beef; I am sure my husband would love this recipe.

      Reply
    5. Star Traci

      March 29, 2021 at 11:54 am

      5 stars
      This is my husband's and my favorite Vietnamese dish. Their is a famous restaurant here in Houston called Mai's and they make the best!

      Reply
      • Rika

        April 09, 2021 at 11:20 am

        I'd love to visit that restaurant!

        Reply
    6. Bri

      March 29, 2021 at 12:19 pm

      5 stars
      Yum! Everything about this recipe is all me!

      Reply
      • Rika

        April 09, 2021 at 11:19 am

        I am glad to hear that, Bri!

        Reply
    7. NICOLE HOOD

      March 29, 2021 at 10:59 pm

      My mouth is watering! This beef looks like it was cooked perfectly!

      Reply
    « Older Comments

    Primary Sidebar

    How I Relax with Straight Up Tea

    Hi, I'm Rika! Through Posh Journal I share my passion for food, travel and other things I enjoy along the way.  Don’t let the name fool you, most of my recipes are easy to cook and can be enjoyed on a daily basis. 

    More about me

    Popular Posts

    • Healthy Baked Chicken Tenders (Oven-Fried Chicken Strips)
    • Fish Soup (Flavorful and Easy!)
    • Roasted Baby Potatoes with Rosemary and Garlic
    • Perfect Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs

    Featured On

    As Featured On

    © 2022–2023 poshjournal

    656 shares
    • 18