Vietnamese "Beef" Stew (Bò Kho Chay)
A vegan version of the famous Vietnamese beef stew! This delicious stew features juicy "beef" cooked in a rich and aromatic broth infused with lemongrass, garlic, and spices. Comforting, easy, and SO good!
Ingredients
Vegan Beef
- 1 cup dried TVP Beef slices
- 1 tsp ground anise star
- 1 tsp annatto powder optional, for color
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp turmeric
- 1/2 tsp five-spice powder
- 1/8 tsp ground coriander
- 1 clove of garlic minced
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
Stew
- 2 tbsp oil use annatto oil for a deeper red color
- 2 stalks of lemongrass cut into 2-inch sticks
- 1 shallot minced
- 2 cups coconut water or regular water
- 1 and 1/3 cup water
- 4-5 baby potatoes peeled
- 1 medium carrot peeled and cut into matchsticks
- 2 tbsp sugar start with 1 tbsp and adjust to taste
- 1 and 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/8 tsp mushroom seasoning optional, helps enhance the flavor of the broth
- For serving: fresh cilantro, bread, rice, or noodles
Instructions
Vegan Beef
- Soak the TVP slices in water for about 25 minutes or until fully rehydrated. Next, rinse the slices 2-3 times under cold water and drain them very well by squeezing the slices between your hands. Transfer to a bowl.
- Add the spices, minced garlic, sugar, and salt. Toss to coat the TVP slices evenly. Cover with plastic film and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight
Stew
- Heat the oil in a Dutch oven or deep pot. Once hot, add the shallots and lemongrass and sauté for about 3 minutes.
- Add the marinated vegan beef and sauté for another minute.
- Pour in the coconut water and the water. Then, add the baby potatoes, carrots, and seasonings: salt and sugar. Bring to a boil and let simmer covered for about 25 minutes over low-medium heat.
- Once the potatoes and carrots are cooked and tender, remove them from heat. Taste and adjust the sweetness and saltiness of the broth to your liking.
- Serve the stew piping hot with either rice noodles, white rice, or a crusty baguette. Garnish with fresh cilantro, raw onion slices, and a squeeze of lime! This stew will keep for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
Notes
- You can replace all of the spices with 1 and 1/2 tablespoons of Bò Kho spices seasoning.
- If you want to add mushrooms, sauté 3-4 mushrooms (sliced) at the same time as the vegan beef.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 257 kcal | Carbohydrates: 34.7 g | Protein: 6.4 g | Fat: 10.1 g | Fiber: 5 g | Sugar: 17.9 g