Description
Spicy Thai “crying tiger beef” tantalizes taste buds with its fiery nam jim jaew sauce, delivering a bold culinary journey through Thailand’s street food landscape. Tender grilled beef meets zesty, complex flavors that will ignite your passion for Southeast Asian cuisine.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) ribeye, sirloin, or flank steak
Marinade and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground white pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon tamarind paste (or more lime juice if unavailable)
- 1 teaspoon palm sugar (or brown sugar)
- 1 tablespoon toasted rice powder
- 1 tablespoon chili flakes
- 1 small shallot, finely sliced
- 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
- 1 tablespoon chopped green onions
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Instructions
- Craft a robust marinade by whisking together soy sauce, fish sauce, oyster sauce, vegetable oil, brown sugar, white pepper, and minced garlic in a mixing container.
- Thoroughly massage the marinade into the beef, ensuring complete coverage, and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes, though allowing 2-4 hours will intensify the flavor profile.
- Prepare the Nam Jim Jaew sauce by combining fish sauce, fresh lime juice, tangy tamarind paste, granulated sugar, fiery chili flakes, and nutty toasted rice powder in a separate bowl.
- Incorporate finely chopped shallots, fresh cilantro, and sliced green onions into the sauce, then allow the mixture to rest for 10 minutes to meld the complex flavors.
- Preheat a grill or cast-iron skillet to high temperature, creating an ideal searing environment for the marinated beef.
- Cook the beef for 3-5 minutes on each side, adjusting time based on thickness and preferred doneness, aiming for a beautifully caramelized exterior.
- Transfer the cooked meat to a cutting board and let it rest for 5-10 minutes, allowing the juices to redistribute throughout the protein.
- Slice the beef thinly against the grain to ensure maximum tenderness and optimal texture.
- Artfully arrange the sliced beef on a serving plate, accompanied by the vibrant Nam Jim Jaew sauce.
- Garnish with an abundance of fresh herbs and serve alongside sticky or jasmine rice for a complete culinary experience.
Notes
- Marinate beef overnight in the refrigerator for maximum flavor absorption and tenderness.
- Toast rice powder at home by gently roasting raw rice in a dry pan until golden brown and grinding into powder for authentic smoky depth.
- Adjust chili flakes according to personal heat preference, using milder options for sensitive palates or adding extra for spice lovers.
- Choose high-quality, well-marbled cuts like ribeye or sirloin for the most succulent and flavorful Crying Tiger Beef experience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes (+ marinating)
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Thai
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg