Grilled Beef with Lemon Grass and Garlic (Bo Nuong Xa Toi)
Lisa Romerein
Yields Makes 4 servings Total Time 2 hrs 30 mins
AuthorAnn Le,

A classic; also works with steamed rice. Prep and Cook Time: 30 minutes, plus 2 hours to marinate. Notes: You can use a grill pan or broiler instead of a grill. (Broil onions first, about 10 in. from heat, and then beef, about 6 in. from heat.)

How to Make It

Step 1
1

In a wide, shallow bowl, whisk together sugar, pepper, garlic, lemon grass, fish sauce, and 2 tbsp. olive oil. Add beef, toss to coat, and refrigerate 2 hours.

Step 2
2

Rub remaining 1 tbsp. oil over onions. Prepare a gas or charcoal grill for medium-high heat (you can hold your hand 1 to 2 in. above grill level only 3 to 4 seconds). Brush grill with vegetable oil. Thread onions onto two 8-in. metal skewers. Lay onion skewers on grill and cook (close lid on gas grill) until softened, about 15 minutes, turning skewers every 5 minutes or so.

Step 3
3

When onions are cooked halfway, lay beef slices on grill and cook (close lid on gas grill), turning once, 3 to 5 minutes.

Step 4
4

Arrange beef and onions on a platter and garnish with cilantro and peanuts.

Step 5
5

Note: Nutritional analysis is per serving.

Ingredients

 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
 2 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic (3 or 4 large cloves)
 1 1/2 stalks lemon grass, outer layer peeled off and inner core minced (about 3 tbsp.)
 3 tablespoons fish sauce
 3 tablespoons olive oil
 1 pound beef tri-tip or round, sliced against the grain into 1/4-in. slices
 2 yellow onions, peeled and quartered
 2 tablespoons loosely packed fresh cilantro sprigs
 2 tablespoons and crushed unsalted dry-roasted peanuts

Directions

Step 1
1

In a wide, shallow bowl, whisk together sugar, pepper, garlic, lemon grass, fish sauce, and 2 tbsp. olive oil. Add beef, toss to coat, and refrigerate 2 hours.

Step 2
2

Rub remaining 1 tbsp. oil over onions. Prepare a gas or charcoal grill for medium-high heat (you can hold your hand 1 to 2 in. above grill level only 3 to 4 seconds). Brush grill with vegetable oil. Thread onions onto two 8-in. metal skewers. Lay onion skewers on grill and cook (close lid on gas grill) until softened, about 15 minutes, turning skewers every 5 minutes or so.

Step 3
3

When onions are cooked halfway, lay beef slices on grill and cook (close lid on gas grill), turning once, 3 to 5 minutes.

Step 4
4

Arrange beef and onions on a platter and garnish with cilantro and peanuts.

Step 5
5

Note: Nutritional analysis is per serving.

Grilled Beef with Lemon Grass and Garlic (Bo Nuong Xa Toi)

Search All of Sunset's Recipes