Slow-Braised Cantonese BBQ Brisket with Star Anise and Soy
Tender beef brisket slowly braised in a fragrant Cantonese-style soy and star anise sauce until melt-in-your-mouth soft. This chinese-inspired beef ready in about 195 minutes pairs beef brisket, dark soy sauce, light soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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
- 1/3 cup dark soy sauce
- 1/4 cup light soy sauce
- 3 tbsp Shaoxing wine
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 3 whole star anise pods
- 2-inch piece, sliced ginger
- 4, smashed garlic cloves
- 3 cups water
- 3, cut into 2-inch lengths scallions
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 2 pounds beef brisket, searing each side for 3-4 minutes until deeply browned and caramelized, then remove brisket and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add 4 smashed garlic cloves and 2-inch sliced ginger piece, sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not burnt.
- Step 3: Add 1/3 cup dark soy sauce, 1/4 cup light soy sauce, 3 tablespoons Shaoxing wine, and 2 tablespoons brown sugar; stir to combine and let the sauce bubble gently for 2 minutes to meld flavors.
- Step 4: Return the brisket to the pot along with 3 whole star anise pods, 3 scallions cut into 2-inch pieces, and 3 cups water. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover partially, reduce heat to low, and braise for 2.5 to 3 hours until brisket is fork-tender.
- Step 5: Remove the brisket and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing thinly against the grain. Strain the braising liquid and reduce over medium heat until slightly thickened, then drizzle over sliced brisket before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Braised Cantonese BBQ Brisket with Star Anise and Soy 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 Slow-Braised Cantonese BBQ Brisket with Star Anise and Soy?
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 Brisket with Star Anise and Soy?
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 Brisket with Star Anise and Soy 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 Brisket with Star Anise and Soy?
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.
