Vietnamese Shaking Beef (Printable Version)

Juicy marinated beef cubes stir-fried with colorful peppers and onions, accompanied by zesty lime dipping sauce and fresh greens.

# Ingredient List:

→ For the Beef

01 - 1.1 lb beef sirloin or tenderloin, cut into 3/4 inch 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 inch 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)

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - Combine beef cubes with soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, sugar, black pepper, minced garlic, and 1 tbsp oil in a large bowl. Toss thoroughly to coat. Marinate for at least 15 minutes, up to 1 hour for enhanced flavor penetration.
02 - Whisk together lime juice, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl until salt dissolves completely. Set aside at room temperature for serving.
03 - Layer watercress and sliced tomatoes attractively on a large serving platter, creating a bed for the cooked beef.
04 - Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat until oil shimmers and begins to smoke slightly.
05 - Add marinated beef in a single uncrowded layer. Sear undisturbed for 1 minute to develop deep caramelization on first side.
06 - Rapidly shake or stir-fry beef for 2-3 minutes until evenly browned but still pink and juicy inside. Avoid overcooking.
07 - Add onion wedges and bell pepper chunks. Stir-fry 1-2 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp. Add spring onions and toss for 30 seconds.
08 - Transfer beef and vegetables immediately onto prepared platter atop watercress and tomatoes. Serve hot with lime dipping sauce and steamed jasmine rice if desired.

# Tips from hearthlykitchen:

01 -
  • The way the high heat creates that perfect crust while keeping the inside tender and juicy
  • That tangy lime dipping sauce cuts through the richness and ties everything together beautifully
02 -
  • Crowding the pan is the fastest way to ruin this dish, so cook in batches if your wok isnt large enough
  • Letting the beef come to room temperature before cooking helps it sear evenly instead of steaming
03 -
  • Pat the beef dry before marinating if it seems wet from packaging, excess moisture prevents proper searing
  • Cut your vegetables into similar sized pieces so everything finishes cooking at the same time