Braised Chinese Five-Spice Beef with Star Anise and Ginger

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Richly flavored beef braised slowly with aromatic Chinese five-spice, star anise, and fresh ginger for tender, melt-in-your-mouth results. This chinese-inspired beef ready in about 170 minutes pairs beef chuck roast, cut into 2-inch cubes, Chinese five-spice powder, pods star anise pods for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 150 min Serves 6 Chinese cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Toss 2 lbs beef chuck cubes with 2 tsp Chinese five-spice powder until evenly coated. Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a heavy pot over medium-high heat and brown beef cubes on all sides, about 5 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Add 3 smashed garlic cloves, 2 tbsp sliced fresh ginger, and 3 star anise pods to the pot and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1/3 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp dark soy sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, and 3 cups beef broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 2.5 hours or until beef is fork-tender.
  4. Step 4: Garnish with 2 chopped scallions before serving with steamed rice or noodles.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Braised Chinese Five-Spice Beef with Star Anise and Ginger take to make?

Total time is about 170 minutes (20 min prep + 150 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 Chinese Five-Spice Beef with Star Anise and Ginger?

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 chinese five-spice powder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Braised Chinese Five-Spice Beef with Star Anise and Ginger?

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 Chinese Five-Spice Beef with Star Anise and Ginger 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 Chinese Five-Spice Beef with Star Anise and Ginger?

Chinese 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.

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