Many think that making salted beef is a complicated, intricate, and time-consuming task, often prompting people to opt for ready-made options instead of preparing it themselves. In reality, the dish only requires time for the beef to marinate, while the initial processing and cooking stages are quick and simple.

Photo: Collected
2. Guide to 3 Ways to Make Delicious Salted Beef
While still centered around salted beef, combining it with various ingredients and spices creates a delightful uniqueness for the dish. Rest assured, each recipe is easy to devour and impossible to resist.
Smoked Salted Beef Recipe
Smoked salted beef stands out with its savory taste and the subtle, distinctive aroma of beef. The beef slices are large, thin, and tender, accompanied by a tantalizingly chewy texture. Learn how to make it with Mytour.
Prepare the ingredients:
- 1kg of beef brisket or beef tenderloin (with all the fat removed)
- 400ml rice vinegar
- 300ml high-quality fish sauce
- 200g sugar
- Spices: lemongrass, chili, garlic, peppercorns (prepare plenty of garlic)
- 1 tablespoon of MSG
- Glass jar, a container with a lid (medium-sized, not too large to avoid wasting liquid and not able to submerge the meat surface during marination).

Photo: Collected
How to:
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
- Clean the beef, remove any odor with salt and lime, then wrap tightly with twine.
- Peel and crush the ginger and lemongrass.
- Boil the beef in cold water (adding ginger and lemongrass) until it boils for about 5 minutes, then reduce to medium heat. Simmer for an additional 30 minutes and soak the beef in the pot until it cools, then remove and drain (you can also soak the meat in a bowl of cold water to create crispiness).
- You can use a pressure cooker to boil the beef more quickly.

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Step 2: Prepare the marinating liquid
- Bring vinegar, sugar, and fish sauce to a boil, season to taste. Let the marinade cool, then add garlic and chili.
- Prepare a container with a tight-fitting lid. Pour the marinade and beef into it (ensure the liquid covers the beef). Store in the refrigerator, ready to enjoy in about 4 days.

Photo: Collected
Finished Product Requirements:
- Indulge in salted beef and experience the savory taste of salt, the distinctive aroma of beef, the rich sweetness of the meat, and the chewiness of the tendons.
- Smoked salted beef has a beautiful brown color, a characteristic aroma from the beef, a rich and mildly spicy taste. You can store it in the refrigerator freezer; when not finished, take it out about 30 minutes before eating to soften the meat and then slice it.
- Salted beef soaked in fish sauce
- Salted beef soaked in vinegar
How to make Salted Beef with Emperor Vegetables
Salted Beef with Emperor Vegetables is a delightful variation of the classic salted beef dish. It combines salted beef, emperor vegetables, and a variety of distinctive spices. The aromatic flavor, tender beef, a bit of chewy tendon, and a hint of spicy sourness will surely captivate you from the very first bite.
Prepare the Ingredients:
- 1 kg salted beef
- 100 – 150 grams dried emperor vegetables
- Rice vinegar
- Chili sauce
- Garlic, chili, ginger, lemongrass
- Basic spices: salt, bouillon, seasoning powder, sugar, fish sauce.

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Method:
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
- Eliminate any unpleasant odor from the beef by soaking it in salted water or diluted lime juice. Then rinse it with clean water.
- Parboil the beef for about 2 minutes to remove impurities. Rinse the beef and parboil it again. Prepare a bowl of ice-cold water, and when the beef is tender, remove it and place it in the cold water to retain its crispiness. Once the meat is cool, cut it into smaller pieces to put into the marinating jar (not thinly sliced).
- Soak dried emperor vegetables in warm water until they become soft and expanded. Rinse them with clean water, remove the stems, and cut them into pieces of 3 – 5cm.
- Peel and julienne the ginger. Rinse the garlic and chili, then slice them thinly.

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Step 2: Prepare the Salad
- This is a crucial step that influences the deliciousness of the dish. Follow the standard spice ratio, but feel free to adjust to your taste preferences.
- The salad dressing mixture consists of: 2 bowls of vinegar, 2 bowls of distilled water, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and 2 tablespoons of fish sauce. Stir well and bring the mixture to a boil. Season to taste.
- Once the salad dressing mixture is cooled, add finely chopped ginger, chili, and garlic. If you want to increase spiciness and color, you can add a bit of chili sauce.
- Prepare glass jars, containers, or boxes. Place the thinly sliced beef, emperor vegetables, and salad dressing mixture into them. Let it soak for at least 4 days to marinate the beef with flavors.
Finished Product Requirements:
Salted Beef with Emperor Vegetables has a distinctive aroma from vinegar, garlic, and chili. The thinly sliced and tender beef, combined with the chewy tendons, absorbs the sweet, sour, and spicy flavors. Especially on hot days, having salted beef with a side salad is unbeatable.
How to Make Sweet and Sour Salted Beef
Introducing another recipe for salted beef, ensuring it remains delicious and addictive from the very first bite.
Prepare the Ingredients:
- 1 kg salted beef
- 20 grams lemongrass
- 20 grams ginger
- Garlic, dried shallots: each 20 grams
- Star anise, cloves, cinnamon, fresh chili: each 5 grams
- 300 ml fish sauce
- 200 ml water
- 250 grams sugar
- 150 – 200 ml vinegar
Start by preparing the ingredients:
Initiate the cooking process with Step 1: Ingredient Preparation
- Clean and trim the beef, removing excess fat to prevent freezing and clumping during soaking. Then, tie it up with a string to maintain its shape after boiling. Additionally, remove the old leaves from the lemongrass, crush it, and cut it into 3-4cm pieces. Scrape the skin off the ginger, crush it, and leave the garlic and dried shallots whole.
Move on to Step 2: Boiling the Beef
- Prepare a pot of water and add star anise, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, lemongrass, and half of the dried shallots. Include 2 teaspoons of sugar and 1 teaspoon of spices. Place the beef into the pot while the water is still cold. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat to medium and simmer for an additional 30-35 minutes. When the meat is tender, remove it and place it in a bowl of ice water.

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Proceed to Step 3: Prepare the Sweet and Sour Marinade
- Boil 200ml of water, add 200 grams of sugar and stir until dissolved. Add fish sauce, vinegar, bring to a boil, and season to taste. Turn off the heat and let the mixture cool before using it for marination.
Step 4: Salt the Beef
- Sterilize a glass jar with boiling water, ensuring it is thoroughly dry. Use paper towels to pat the meat surface dry, remove the string, and cut it into individual large pieces.

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3. Secrets to Enhance the Flavor of Salted Beef
Unlock the secrets to creating delicious dishes from beef by mastering the art of ingredient selection. Opt for fresh, high-quality beef without any unpleasant odors or excessive fat. The two preferred cuts for salted beef are the Beef Sirloin and Beef Tenderloin.
- American Beef Tenderloin boasts a rich red hue and thin layers of marbling, offering a delightful combination of crispiness and tenderness without any dryness.
- American Beef Sirloin represents the premium part of the cattle with intertwining veins forming beautiful floral patterns. This cut is not only tender but also exhibits a distinctive and delicious flavor.
How to slice salted beef: Use a sharp knife to cut the beef into thin slices horizontally. Each slice should include both meat and veins, ensuring a soft and non-chewy texture.
Furthermore, salted beef is not only nutritionally rich but also low in fat, providing a guilt-free indulgence for all. Feel free to prepare a larger batch and store it in the fridge for later enjoyment.
Discover the art of crafting the savory salted beef dish courtesy of Mytour Blog. This culinary delight is not only perfect for everyday meals but also an excellent choice for festive occasions, providing a refreshing palate. Best wishes for your successful culinary endeavors!
