Slow-Cooked Beef Brisket with Soy and Star Anise

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

A tender and flavorful beef brisket slowly braised with soy sauce and aromatic star anise, perfect for an indulgent family dinner. This chinese-inspired beef ready in about 200 minutes pairs beef brisket, vegetable oil, ginger for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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.

★ 4.5 (13 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 180 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottom pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs beef brisket cut into 3-inch chunks; brown all sides for 5-7 minutes and remove.
  2. Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 inch sliced ginger, 4 smashed garlic cloves, and 3 whole star anise; sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Return the brisket to the pot and pour in 1/2 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp dark soy sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, and 3 cups water.
  4. Step 4: Add 3 stalks scallions cut into 2-inch pieces and 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper.
  5. Step 5: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 3 hours until the meat is fork-tender and sauce thickens slightly.
  6. Step 6: Remove scallions and star anise before serving. Slice or shred brisket and spoon the sauce over top.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Beef Brisket with Soy and 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-Cooked Beef Brisket with Soy and 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-Cooked Beef Brisket with Soy and 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-Cooked Beef Brisket with Soy and Star Anise 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 Slow-Cooked Beef Brisket with Soy and 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.

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