Braised Beef Shank with Star Anise and Cinnamon
Slow-braised beef shank simmered in a fragrant broth of star anise, cinnamon, and fish sauce until fork-tender, delivering deep, aromatic flavors perfect for rice or noodles. This vietnamese-inspired beef ready in about 195 minutes pairs cut into 2-inch chunks beef shank, large, quartered onion, smashed garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs, cut into 2-inch chunks beef shank
- 1 large, quartered onion
- 5, smashed garlic cloves
- 1-inch piece, sliced ginger
- 3 whole star anise
- 1 large cinnamon stick
- 1/4 cup fish sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 6 cups water
- 1 tsp whole black peppercorns
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3, sliced for garnish scallions
- 1/4 cup chopped for garnish cilantro
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs beef shank chunks and brown on all sides, about 5-6 minutes, to develop a deep color.
- Step 2: Add 1 large quartered onion, 5 smashed garlic cloves, and 1-inch sliced ginger to the pot; sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 3: Pour in 6 cups water along with 3 whole star anise, 1 large cinnamon stick, 1 tsp whole black peppercorns, 1/4 cup fish sauce, and 2 tbsp brown sugar. Stir to combine.
- Step 4: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover pot partially. Simmer gently for 2.5 to 3 hours until beef shank is fork-tender and the broth is richly flavored.
- Step 5: Remove star anise, cinnamon stick, and peppercorns before serving.
- Step 6: Garnish with sliced 3 scallions and 1/4 cup chopped cilantro. Serve hot with steamed jasmine rice or rice noodles for a hearty, aromatic meal.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Braised Beef Shank with Star Anise and Cinnamon take to make?
Total time is about 195 minutes (15 min prep + 180 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Braised Beef Shank with Star Anise and Cinnamon?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep large, quartered onion from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Braised Beef Shank with Star Anise and Cinnamon?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Braised Beef Shank with Star Anise and Cinnamon for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Braised Beef Shank with Star Anise and Cinnamon?
Vietnamese beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
