Coconut water braised beef is a culinary delight for many food enthusiasts. This enticing dish can be easily found on the menus of both casual eateries and upscale restaurants. The allure of coconut water braised beef lies in its sweet, robust flavor, fragrant aroma, and rich, velvety texture. If you love this dish but are unsure how to prepare it, Mytour will reveal to you a unique and flavorful coconut water braised beef recipe.
1. How to Cook Coconut Water Braised Beef with Distinctive Palm Sugar
| Khẩu phần | Thời gian chuẩn bị | Thời gian nấu | Tổng thời gian | Độ khó dễ |
| 5 – 6 người | 50 phút | 70 phút | 2 tiếng | Trung bình |
Prepare the Ingredients
- 1kg beef tendons, 1 liter water
- 400g carrots, 100g onions
- 100 pieces of ginger, 100g lemongrass
- 4 purple onions, 1 garlic bulb
- 400ml coconut water, white wine, Mai Quế Lộ wine
- Braising spices for beef
- Chili paste, palm sugar
- Seasoning powder, soy sauce
- Salt, ground pepper, 2 chili peppers
- 1 cinnamon stick, 2 star anise
- Cilantro, sawtooth herb

Prepare the Ingredients
Step 1: Peel and slice onions into square pieces.
Step 2: Peel and clean carrots, then cut them into thick slices. Optionally, shape them into flower-like designs for an appealing presentation.
Step 3: Peel and crush garlic and purple onions, finely chop. Clean and dice chili peppers and spring onions. Rinse and chop cilantro and sawtooth herb.
Step 4: Remove the tough outer layer, crush and finely chop 1/3 of the lemongrass, and cut the remaining 2/3 into sections. Peel and clean ginger, finely chop 1/3, and crush the rest.
Step 5: Wash the beef tendon thoroughly, drain the water. Crush ½ of the ginger, mix it with white wine, rub evenly on the beef for about 5 minutes to eliminate the gamey smell. Cut the beef into square pieces about 3cm and place them in a bowl.
Step 6: Break the cinnamon stick and star anise into small pieces, then fry them in a pan until fragrant. Remove and set aside.

Beef Marinade Recipe
Marinate the beef with the following recipe: 2 tablespoons palm sugar, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, ½ tablespoon salt, ½ tablespoon ground pepper, 2 tablespoons braising spices for beef, 1 tablespoon seasoning powder, 2 tablespoons chili paste. Heat cooking oil in a pan, sauté half of the mixture of purple onions, garlic, lemongrass, and crushed chili, then pour the mixture over the marinated beef. Mix the meat with the spices and let it sit for 2 hours to absorb the flavors evenly.
Pro tip: One of the ways to cook delicious braised beef is to use either brisket or beef tendon.
How to Cook Coconut Water Braised Beef with Palm Sugar
Step 1: Place the pot on the stove, sauté the mixture of purple onions, garlic, chili, and the remaining lemongrass.
Step 2: Add the marinated meat to stir-fry until it firms up. After about 10 minutes, gradually pour coconut water and filtered water, cover the pot, bring it to a gentle boil over medium heat.

Step 3: When the water boils, reduce the heat, skim off the foam, and add the cinnamon stick and star anise that have been toasted. Add the remaining crushed ginger and 2 tablespoons of Mai Quế Lộ wine. Continue simmering for 1 hour until the meat is tender and the broth is flavorful.
Step 4: Add the neatly trimmed carrots to the pot, simmer for 10 minutes, then add the onions. Cook until all the ingredients are tender. Poke the meat with a chopstick to check for tenderness, then turn off the heat.
Final Presentation of Coconut Water Braised Beef
When serving, place the braised beef in a bowl, garnish with chopped spring onions, cilantro, and sawtooth herb on top. The finished beef dish boasts an appealing color, with a delightful aroma from lemongrass, cinnamon, and star anise. The tender beef melts in the mouth, harmonizing with the sweet and flavorful broth, leaving a lasting impression on anyone who tries it. This dish pairs well with bread, rice vermicelli, or pho noodles.

2. Coconut Water Braised Beef with Fresh Curry Leaves - Irresistible Flavor
Preparation Ingredients
- 1kg beef sirloin
- 500ml coconut water
- 1 handful of curry leaves, braising spices for beef
- Mai Quế Lộ wine
- 1 stalk lemongrass, cinnamon bark, star anise
- 4 purple onions, 2 ginger bulbs
- 2 garlic bulbs, 2 chili peppers
- 1 onion, cornstarch slurry
- Vegetable oil
- 1 handful of cilantro
- Seasonings: Salt, fish sauce, seasoning powder, sugar, ground pepper, MSG

Prep the Ingredients
Step 1: Finely chop purple onions, garlic, and chili peppers. Cut lemongrass into sections and crush it. Peel and crush ginger.
Step 2: Peel and clean the onion, then cut it into square pieces. Peel and clean the carrot, cut it into sections, and shape it into flowers.
Step 3: Toast the cloves and cinnamon bark in a pan for 2 minutes, then remove them.
Step 4: Clean the beef, rub it with white wine, and crush the ginger. Cut the beef into square pieces.
Step 5: Clean and pick the húng lủi, then rinse it with water.

Marinating the Beef
Marinate the beef with 1 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon fish sauce, 3 teaspoons broth mix, 2 teaspoons sugar, 1 teaspoon pepper, and ½ teaspoon MSG. Heat cooking oil in a pan, sauté half of the purple onions, garlic, minced chili, and crushed lemongrass. Add 3 tablespoons of beef stew spices and curry leaves, mix well, pour over the meat, and marinate. Stir well and let it sit for about 2 hours.
Cooking Coconut Water Beef Stew
Step 1: Heat a pot, add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil and heat. Sauté the remaining purple onions, garlic, and minced chili until fragrant.
Step 2: Pour the marinated beef, stir-fry until firm, and add 2 tablespoons of Mai Quế Lộ wine.
Step 3: Add 500ml of fresh coconut water and 1 liter of filtered water to the pot. Add the roasted cinnamon, cloves, the remaining ginger, and crushed lemongrass to infuse aromatic flavors. Simmer over medium heat for 1 hour until the beef is tender.

Step 4: In another pan, briefly sauté the carrots with 1 teaspoon of broth mix. This method helps the carrots cook quickly, absorbing flavors more effectively.
Step 5: Once the beef stew is boiling, add the carrots and onions. Add 2 tablespoons of cornstarch water to create thickness, simmer for an additional 10 minutes, then turn off the heat.
Finished Dish
Experience the art of cooking coconut water beef stew with curry leaves, presenting a visually stunning dish in deep brown-red hues and a rich, mildly spicy flavor. When serving, place it in a bowl and top it with basil leaves. The tender sweetness of the beef blends with the aromatic, rich, and smooth broth, creating a uniquely delicious taste. Paired with bread, this becomes an extraordinary dish, perfect for entertaining guests.

Indulge in coconut water beef stew, and you'll discover the distinctive flavors of Southern cuisine. The sweet and savory taste of the beef, combined with the rich and flavorful broth, is sure to leave you enchanted. Bookmark this coconut water beef stew recipe to bring a delicious meal to your family.
Explore other beef stew variations to diversify your family meals:
- Pineapple-infused Beef Stew
- Pepper Beef Stew
- Turmeric Lemongrass Beef Stew
- Ginger-flavored Beef Stew
