Description
Crying Tiger Beef with Nam Jim Jaew is a flavorful Thai grilled steak recipe featuring marinated flank steak or ribeye, served with a zesty and spicy dipping sauce made from fish sauce, lime juice, tamarind paste, and toasted rice powder. This dish combines savory, tangy, and spicy elements, perfect for grilling lovers and fans of authentic Thai cuisine.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Beef Marinade
- 1 pound flank steak or ribeye (flavorful & tender cut)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
For Nam Jim Jaew (Dipping Sauce)
- 3 tablespoons fish sauce (salty umami depth)
- 1 tablespoon lime juice (zesty tang)
- 1 tablespoon tamarind paste (sweet-sour balance)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon chili flakes (adjust for spice level)
- 1 tablespoon toasted rice powder (khao khua) (adds nutty crunch)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
- 1 tablespoon chopped green onion
Instructions
- Marinate the Beef: In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, fish sauce, sugar, and vegetable oil. Coat the steak evenly with the marinade and let it rest for at least 30 minutes or preferably overnight in the refrigerator to develop deep flavor.
- Prepare Nam Jim Jaew (Dipping Sauce): In a separate small bowl, combine fish sauce, lime juice, tamarind paste, sugar, and chili flakes. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Add the toasted rice powder, minced garlic, chopped cilantro, and chopped green onion. Mix well and taste-adjust seasoning as needed.
- Grill the Beef: Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Place the marinated steak on the grill and cook for 4-5 minutes per side for medium-rare doneness, adjusting the time if you prefer your steak more or less done. After grilling, remove the steak from heat and let it rest for 5 minutes to retain juices.
- Slice and Serve: Slice the rested steak thinly against the grain to maximize tenderness. Arrange the slices on a serving plate. Serve with the Nam Jim Jaew dipping sauce alongside. This dish pairs wonderfully with sticky rice, grilled vegetables, or a fresh Thai salad for a complete meal.
Notes
- For best results, marinate the beef overnight to enhance flavor absorption.
- Adjust chili flakes in the dipping sauce according to your preferred spice level.
- Using toasted rice powder (khao khua) adds a traditional nutty texture and flavor to the dipping sauce.
- Resting the steak after grilling allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a tender and juicy bite.
- If you don’t have a grill, a grill pan or broiler can be used as substitutes.
