Bo Luc Lac (Vietnamese Shaking Beef) — Ad-Free Recipe, Ingredients First

Get the wok screaming and don't crowd it. The name means the beef is tossed, not stirred; it needs to sear and char in seconds, so work in batches or you steam it grey.

The Ingredients — and where to get them

Cook for 4 servings

Beef tenderloin or sirloin

Cut into 1-inch cubes; tenderloin is classic, sirloin is honest.

1.5 lb

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Garlic

A lot of it, smashed and chopped; it perfumes the whole dish.

6 cloves

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Oyster sauce

Adds body and gloss to the quick marinade.

2 tbsp

Local / market

Butter

A knob at the end carries the garlic and glosses the beef.

2 tbsp

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Watercress

The peppery bed that soaks up the beef juices; substitute arugula.

1 bunch

Local / market

Red onion

Thinly sliced and lightly pickled in rice vinegar to cut the richness.

1/2 onion

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Lime

For the salt-pepper-lime dipping sauce that finishes each bite.

1 lime

Local / market

Black pepper

Coarse, in the marinade and the dip.

2 tsp

Local / market

The Rundown

Greedometer ●●●●● A fair little treat

A reasonable little indulgence. · plan ahead — needs marinating, soaking, or resting time

EffortSome doing

Cook it with

Air fryerGrill

The Method

MarinateToss beef cubes with oyster sauce, half the garlic, sugar, salt and pepper; rest 20 minutes.
Prep the bedPile watercress on a platter, scatter with vinegar-tossed red onion.
Mix the dipStir together salt, black pepper and lime juice in a small bowl.
Sear hotGet a wok ripping hot with oil; add beef in a single layer in batches, searing and tossing until charred outside, rare within.
Butter and garlicReturn all beef, add remaining garlic and the butter, toss to coat, then tumble over the watercress. Serve with the dip.

The Toolkit

Wok · Chef's knife · Cast iron skillet

Straight Answers

Can you make Bo Luc Lac (Vietnamese Shaking Beef) in an air fryer? — Yes

Yes — this is exactly what an air fryer does well. Work in a single layer so the air can move, and shake or flip halfway for even crisping. It runs a touch faster than the oven, so check early.

Can you freeze Bo Luc Lac (Vietnamese Shaking Beef)? — Yes

Yes — it freezes well. Cool it fully, portion into airtight containers, and it keeps a few months; thaw in the fridge and reheat gently.

Can you make Bo Luc Lac (Vietnamese Shaking Beef) ahead of time? — Yes

Yes — it holds well and often tastes better the next day. Make it ahead and reheat gently before serving.

Is Bo Luc Lac (Vietnamese Shaking Beef) gluten-free? — Yes

Yes — nothing in this recipe as written contains gluten. As always, glance at the labels on any packaged items (broth, sauces, chocolate), since brands vary.

Is Bo Luc Lac (Vietnamese Shaking Beef) vegan? — No

No — it contains meat, so it isn’t vegetarian or vegan.

Community Notes

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Bo Luc Lac (Vietnamese Shaking Beef), and where to source it