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Slow Cooker Chinese Braised Beef Stew

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Slow Cooker Chinese Braised Beef Stew
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There is nothing like coming home to the amazing smell of some super flavorful beef stew. That's what this Slow Cooker Chinese Braised Beef Stew does to you - deliciousness = high, effort = low.

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What is Chinese Braised Beef Stew

Inspired by the traditional Hong Shao Niu Rou (Red Braised Beef), this version uses beef brisket, soy sauces, chili bean paste, tomatoes, carrots, chili and more to create some deep bold flavors! I even tucked in a few hard-boiled eggs toward the end to soak up that amazing sauce, just like my mom used to do with braised stews!

The best part though might be that you just let your slow cooker do all the work! Let it simmer for hours, and then you just serve it with rice or noodles and - boom! Yummy cozy meal is served.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Effortless: Toss everything into the slow cooker and walk away. That’s it.
  • Bold flavors: Doubanjiang (chili bean paste), chili peppers, and light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, and sugar, add sweet and savory depth and a touch of heat.
  • Comforting: A bowl of this over rice or noodles = hug in a bowl.
  • Flexible: You can add more veggies if you'd like, or swap brisket for chuck roast!
  • Extra cozy: Add a couple of hard boiled eggs at the end for a some soy braised eggs!

How to make Slow Cooker Chinese Braised Beef Stew

First, gather your ingredients:

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • 2 lbs beef brisket (whole or cut into large chunks)
  • 1 tablespoon oil (for searing, optional)
  • 3 green onions, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon doubanjiang (chili bean paste)
  • 3 tablespoons light soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce (or sub with light soy sauce)
  • 2 tablespoons rock sugar (or regular sugar)
  • 2 medium carrots, cut into chunks (or 1 cup baby carrots)
  • 2 medium tomatoes, quartered (or 1 cup cherry tomatoes)
  • 3 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
  • 1-inch piece of ginger, sliced
  • 1–2 red chili peppers (optional, adjust to taste)
  • 3 cups beef broth or homemade bone broth or water (enough to cover everything)
  • 2–4 hard boiled eggs, peeled (optional but highly recommended)

The first step you can take is actually optional, which is to sear the brisket. This adds a little more flavor but is totally skippable when you don't have the time. So if you DO have the time (and energy), sear the beef in a pan with oil.

Next, add all your ingredients to the slow cooker - beef, green onions, garlic, ginger, carrots, chili bean paste, light and dark soy sauce, sugar, peppers and broth (or water).

Then we slow cook. Cover it and cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 5-6 hours. Or until the beef is tender and falls apart easily.

Another optional step, but I love it! In the last half hour of the cooking, add 2-4 hard boiled eggs in to the stew! They'll soak up all the deliciousness - and become braised soy eggs!

And when you are done slow cooking everything, give it a taste! You can adjust as needed, add more soy sauce or salt even if you want it saltier, or a pinch of sugar if you like it sweeter!

You can serve with rice or noodles! And personally I also like to add some sort of stir fry veggies (such as my stir fry cabbage with garlic). You can also top it off with chopped scallions.

Leftovers and Storage

This stew, like most stews, actually tastes even better the next day! You can store in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 2 months.

Yield: 8 servings

Slow Cooker Chinese Braised Beef Stew

Slow Cooker Chinese Braised Beef Stew

A rich, savory, comforting dish inspired by traditional Hong Shao Niu Rou (red braised beef) —with the ease of a slow cooker.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 hours
Total Time 5 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs beef brisket (whole or cut into large chunks)
  • 1 tablespoon oil (for searing, optional)
  • 3 green onions, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon doubanjiang (chili bean paste)
  • 3 tablespoon light soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoon dark soy sauce (or sub with more light soy sauce)
  • 2 tablespoon rock sugar (or regular sugar)
  • 2 medium carrots, cut into chunks (or 1 cup baby carrots)
  • 2 medium tomatoes, quartered (or 1 cup cherry tomatoes)
  • 3 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
  • 1-inch piece of ginger, sliced
  • 1–2 red chili peppers (optional, adjust to taste)
  • 3 cups beef broth, bone broth, or water (enough to cover everything)
  • 2–4 hard-boiled eggs, peeled (optional but highly recommended)

Instructions

    1. Optional: Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat and sear the brisket on all sides until browned. This adds extra flavor but can be skipped if you’re short on time.
    2. Add Everything to the Slow Cooker: Place the brisket (seared or raw) into the slow cooker. Add green onions, garlic, ginger, tomatoes, carrots, doubanjiang, light and dark soy sauces, sugar, chili peppers, and enough broth or water to cover the ingredients.
    3. Cook Low and Slow: Cover and cook on Low for 8–10 hours or High for 5–6 hours, until the beef is tender and falling apart.
    4. Add the Eggs: In the final 30 minutes of cooking, gently add in the hard-boiled eggs. Let them soak up the sauce and become beautifully braised.
    5. Taste and Adjust: Give it a taste! Add more soy sauce if you want it saltier, or a pinch of sugar if you'd like it a little sweeter.
    6. Serve with rice or noodles!

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 650Total Fat: 40gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 680mgSodium: 1413mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 2gSugar: 10gProtein: 56g

The nutrition information for this recipe is an approximate total per serving. Please double check the nutrition information for your exact ingredients and brands for more precise nutrition information. Keep in mind that if there is a marinade, often times not all the ingredients will be consumed.

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Cuisine: Chinese / Category: Asian Recipes

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More Delicious Stews Recipes!

  • Potatoes go so well in a beef stew! Which is why I have this tasty Chinese Beef Stew with Potatoes recipe to share!
  • The original Red Braised Beef (Hong Shao Niu Rou)! This version is stovetop, in case you don't have time to wait around for the slow cooker!
  • Or maybe you want something a little lighter? While I do love myself some Red Braised Beef, occasionally I like to switch it up! This Clear Broth Braised Beef is another go to way of making some delicious beef. The beef is cooked with ginger, green onions, dried red peppers, Sichuan peppercorn, and star anise.
  • Switch up the protein all together and try this SUPER decadent Red Braised Pork Belly! It's so delicious, I can't help but eat too much!

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