Soto Daging (Indonesian Beef and Lemongrass Soup)
A golden turmeric and lemongrass beef soup with glass noodles, potato, crisp shallots and a fiery spoon of sambal.
Made with Sambal oelek (chilli sambal) and Pho broth. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time1 hr 15
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £4.95 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the oil in a large pan and fry the garlic and turmeric for 1 minute until fragrant.
1 min - 2
Add the lemongrass, lime leaves and your ready made pho broth (see the base recipe). Bring to the boil, then simmer for 20 minutes.
20 min - 3
Add the diced potatoes and the beef. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until the potatoes are tender and the beef is hot.
20 min - 4
Pour boiling water over the glass noodles, leave for 3 minutes, then drain.
3 min - 5
Remove the lemongrass and lime leaves. Put the noodles and beansprouts in bowls and ladle over the soup.
- 6
Top with fried shallots, a lime wedge and a spoon of your homemade sambal (see the base recipe) at the side.
Tips
- Fry the turmeric briefly in oil before adding liquid, to bring out its colour and flavour.
- Use leftover shin from making the pho broth to save time.
- Check that fried onions are gluten free. Many ready fried onions are dusted with wheat flour.
- Serve with a hard boiled egg per person for an Indonesian touch, if egg is fine for everyone.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 90 minutes and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through. Keep noodles and toppings separate.
Questions
Is soto daging very spicy?
The soup itself is mild. The heat comes from sambal, so add as much as you like at the table.
Can I use chicken instead?
Yes, that is soto ayam, and it is a classic. Use poached chicken and a chicken stock, though pho broth works in a pinch.
Is it gluten free?
Yes, when you use gluten free fried shallots. All other ingredients are naturally free of gluten.
More made with sambal oelek (chilli sambal)
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.