Slow-Braised Cantonese BBQ Beef Brisket with Star Anise
Tender beef brisket slowly braised in a fragrant Cantonese-style sauce infused with star anise and soy, delivering rich and savory flavors. This chinese-inspired beef ready in about 200 minutes pairs beef brisket, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce 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 beef brisket
- 1/4 cup light soy sauce
- 2 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 3 tbsp Shaoxing wine
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2-inch piece, sliced fresh ginger
- 4, smashed garlic cloves
- 3 whole star anise
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3 cups water
- 3, cut into 2-inch pieces scallions
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottom pot over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 2 lbs beef brisket, searing each side for 3-4 minutes until deeply browned and caramelized.
- Step 2: Remove the brisket and set aside. In the same pot, add 4 smashed garlic cloves and 2-inch sliced fresh ginger, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Pour in 1/4 cup light soy sauce, 2 tbsp dark soy sauce, 3 tbsp Shaoxing wine, and 2 tbsp brown sugar, stirring to combine and dissolve the sugar.
- Step 4: Add 3 whole star anise, 1 cinnamon stick, 3 cups water, and 3 scallions cut into 2-inch pieces. Return the brisket to the pot, submerging it partially.
- Step 5: Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 2.5 to 3 hours until the brisket is fork-tender and infused with the aromatic sauce.
- Step 6: Remove the brisket and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing thinly against the grain. Serve with steamed rice and drizzle some braising liquid over the slices.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Braised Cantonese BBQ Beef Brisket with Star Anise take to make?
Total time is about 200 minutes (20 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 Slow-Braised Cantonese BBQ Beef Brisket with Star Anise?
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 beef brisket from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Braised Cantonese BBQ Beef Brisket with Star Anise?
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 Slow-Braised Cantonese BBQ Beef Brisket with Star Anise 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 Slow-Braised Cantonese BBQ Beef Brisket with Star Anise?
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.
