Hunan-Style Braised Beef with Chili and Lotus Root
Tender chunks of beef slowly braised with lotus root, dried chili, and signature Hunan spices for a rich, warming dish. This chinese-inspired beef ready in about 115 minutes pairs cut into 1-inch cubes beef chuck, vegetable oil, medium, sliced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 410 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 500 g, cut into 1-inch cubes beef chuck
- 150 g, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch slices lotus root
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 medium, sliced onion
- 5, minced garlic cloves
- 6, whole dried red chilies
- 2 tbsp, minced ginger
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 2 tbsp Shaoxing wine
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 whole star anise
- 2, chopped scallions
- to taste salt
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a heavy pot over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 500 g cubed beef chuck and brown on all sides for about 6-8 minutes, then remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 sliced medium onion, 5 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp minced ginger, and 6 whole dried red chilies; sauté for 3 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 3: Return the browned beef to the pot along with 150 g peeled lotus root slices and 2 whole star anise.
- Step 4: Pour in 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp dark soy sauce, 2 tbsp Shaoxing wine, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and 2 cups beef broth. Stir gently to combine.
- Step 5: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1.5 hours until the beef is tender and the lotus root is soft.
- Step 6: Season with salt to taste and garnish with 2 chopped scallions before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Hunan-Style Braised Beef with Chili and Lotus Root take to make?
Total time is about 115 minutes (20 min prep + 95 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 Hunan-Style Braised Beef with Chili and Lotus Root?
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 Hunan-Style Braised Beef with Chili and Lotus Root?
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 Hunan-Style Braised Beef with Chili and Lotus Root for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Hunan-Style Braised Beef with Chili and Lotus Root?
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.
