Clay Pot Braised Beef with Star Anise and Ginger

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

Tender beef chunks slowly braised in a fragrant broth of star anise, ginger, and soy for a traditional Asian-inspired regional stew. This asian-inspired beef ready in about 145 minutes pairs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes, vegetable oil, inch piece, sliced thin fresh ginger for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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: 15 min Cook: 130 min Serves 6 Asian cuisine 400 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large clay pot or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 2 lbs beef chuck cut into 1-inch cubes and brown on all sides for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  2. Step 2: Add 2-inch sliced ginger, 4 smashed garlic cloves, and 3 whole star anise pods to the pot. Sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1/3 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp dark brown sugar, 3 cups chicken broth, 1 tsp black pepper, and 3 chopped scallions. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 2 hours until beef is tender.
  4. Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk 1 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp water until smooth. Stir the slurry into the pot and cook uncovered for 5-7 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef.
  5. Step 5: Remove star anise pods and serve hot over steamed rice or noodles.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Clay Pot Braised Beef with Star Anise and Ginger take to make?

Total time is about 145 minutes (15 min prep + 130 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 Clay Pot Braised 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 vegetable oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Clay Pot Braised 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 Clay Pot Braised 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 Clay Pot Braised Beef with Star Anise and Ginger?

Asian 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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