Sizzling Crying Tiger Beef with Nam Jim Jaew Sauce Recipe

Unleashing a zesty Thai classic, this crying tiger beef with nam jim jaew sauce promises an explosion of flavors that dance across your palate.

Bold spices and tender meat create a symphony of taste that captures the essence of Southeast Asian cuisine.

Small kitchens can absolutely nail this remarkable dish with minimal fuss and maximum impact.

Regional traditions blend seamlessly in this recipe, offering a glimpse into thailand’s rich culinary landscape.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of heat, tanginess, and savory depth that will leave you craving more.

Marinating techniques unlock incredible potential in this simple yet sophisticated preparation.

You’ll want to bookmark this recipe for your next adventurous meal that sparks conversation and delights the senses.

Why Crying Tiger Beef With Nam Jim Jaew Sauce Stands Out

• Maximize Flavor Infusion: This recipe transforms ordinary beef into a taste explosion through a powerful marinade that penetrates deep into the meat, creating layers of savory, sweet, and umami notes.
• Quick Culinary Adventure: With just 30 minutes of active preparation and minimal ingredients, home cooks can easily transport their taste buds to authentic Thai street food without complex techniques or expensive equipment.
• Versatile Meal Solution: Perfect for weeknight dinners, casual gatherings, or impressing guests, this dish adapts beautifully to different cuts of beef and can be scaled up or down depending on your crowd size.
• Elevate Home Cooking: The nam jim jaew sauce brings restaurant-quality Thai flavors directly to your kitchen, allowing even novice cooks to create a professional-tasting meal that looks and tastes expertly prepared.

What Goes Into Crying Tiger Beef With Nam Jim Jaew Sauce

• Soy Sauce, Fish Sauce, Oyster Sauce: Powerful flavor boosters that add depth and umami to the beef, with soy sauce providing saltiness and complexity.
• Vegetable Oil: Helps distribute marinade evenly and prevents meat from sticking during cooking.
• Brown Sugar: Adds a subtle sweetness and helps create caramelization on the meat's surface.
• White Pepper, Garlic: Provides warm, aromatic spiciness and a robust flavor foundation.

• Beef: The star of the dish, best with tender cuts like sirloin or flank steak that absorb marinades well. Look for meat with good marbling for maximum flavor.

• Nam Jim Jaew Sauce Ingredients (Dried Chili Flakes, Lime Juice, Fish Sauce, Palm Sugar, Roasted Rice Powder): Traditional Thai dipping sauce that brings a perfect balance of spicy, sour, and sweet notes to complement the beef. Roasted rice powder adds a unique nutty undertone.

Steps To Make Crying Tiger Beef With Nam Jim Jaew Sauce

Step 1: Prepare Flavorful Marinade

• Soy sauce
• Fish sauce
• Oyster sauce
• Vegetable oil
• Brown sugar
• White pepper
• Minced garlic

Whisk all ingredients until they blend smoothly, creating a rich and aromatic marinade.

Step 2: Marinate the Beef

Gently massage the marinade into the beef, ensuring every inch is coated with the savory mixture. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, though letting it rest for 2-4 hours will intensify the flavors and tenderize the meat.

Step 3: Prepare Nam Jim Jaew Sauce

• Dried chili flakes
• Lime juice
• Fish sauce
• Roasted rice powder
• Chopped cilantro
• Chopped green onions

Stir the ingredients to create a bold, tangy sauce that complements the beef perfectly.

Step 4: Grill the Beef

Heat a grill or grill pan to high temperature. Remove the beef from the marinade and shake off excess liquid. Grill the meat for 3-4 minutes on each side for medium-rare, or adjust cooking time to your preferred doneness.

Step 5: Rest and Slice

Allow the grilled beef to rest for 5-7 minutes. This helps the juices redistribute, ensuring a tender and succulent result. Slice the beef against the grain into thin, beautiful strips.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Arrange the beef slices on a platter. Drizzle with Nam Jim Jaew sauce or serve it on the side for dipping. Garnish with fresh herbs like cilantro or Thai basil for an extra burst of flavor.

Tips That Help With Crying Tiger Beef With Nam Jim Jaew Sauce

• Maximize Flavor Absorption: Let the beef marinate for 2-4 hours to allow the sauces and spices to penetrate deeply, creating a more intense and rich taste profile.
• Optimize Meat Tenderness: Choose a high-quality cut like flank or skirt steak, which absorbs marinades beautifully and remains tender when cooked correctly.
• Grill with Precision: Use high heat and cook the beef quickly to maintain its juiciness, aiming for medium-rare to preserve the meat's natural flavors and texture.
• Balance Sauce Intensity: Adjust the nam jim jaew sauce by adding more lime juice for extra tanginess or a touch of sugar to balance the heat from chili peppers.
• Serve Smart: Let the grilled beef rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing against the grain to ensure maximum tenderness and prevent losing precious juices.

How To Store Crying Tiger Beef With Nam Jim Jaew Sauce

• Refrigerate leftover beef and sauce separately in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking.
• Sealed properly, cooked beef maintains its quality for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer meat to shallow containers to cool quickly and prevent bacterial growth.
• Freeze unused portions for up to 2 months by wrapping tightly in freezer-safe plastic wrap or vacuum-sealed bags.
• Thaw frozen beef overnight in the refrigerator to preserve texture and prevent moisture loss.
• When reheating, warm gently in a skillet with a splash of oil or microwave with a damp paper towel to retain moisture and prevent drying out.
• Always check for any signs of spoilage before consuming stored meat, such as unusual odors or discoloration.

Best Things To Pair With Crying Tiger Beef With Nam Jim Jaew Sauce

• Pair with Zesty Thai Iced Tea: Brew a strong Thai iced tea with sweetened condensed milk to balance the bold, spicy flavors of the Crying Tiger Beef. The creamy, cool drink will soothe the palate and complement the intense marinade.
• Match with Cucumber Salad Sidekick: Prepare a simple Thai cucumber salad with rice vinegar, sugar, and chili for a refreshing contrast. The crisp, tangy vegetables will cut through the rich beef and provide a light, cooling element to the meal.
• Serve with Jasmine Rice Bed: Cook fluffy jasmine rice as the perfect base to soak up the delicious Nam Jim Jaew sauce. The delicate, fragrant rice will enhance the deep umami flavors of the marinated beef and create a complete, satisfying dish.
• Select a Crisp Singha Beer: Crack open a cold Singha beer from Thailand to perfectly complement the spicy and savory profile of the Crying Tiger Beef. The light, hoppy brew will cleanse the palate and provide a traditional Thai dining experience.

Fresh Takes On Crying Tiger Beef With Nam Jim Jaew Sauce

• Spicy Thai Herb Beef: Incorporate fresh lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and Thai chili peppers into the marinade for an intense aromatic profile.
• Grilled Crying Tiger Skewers: Cut beef into smaller chunks, thread onto bamboo skewers, and grill for a more portable street food-style version.
• Slow Cooker Tender Version: Replace grilling method with low and slow cooking in a crockpot, allowing meat to become incredibly tender and absorb marinade deeply.
• Vegetarian Protein Alternative: Substitute beef with firm tofu or tempeh, adjusting marination time to ensure maximum flavor penetration while maintaining similar cooking techniques.

FAQs On Crying Tiger Beef With Nam Jim Jaew Sauce

The name comes from a Thai folklore saying that the sauce is so spicy it would make a tiger cry. It’s a playful reference to the bold, intense flavors of the Nam Jim Jaew sauce that accompanies the beef.

• Is Nam Jim Jaew sauce very spicy?

Nam Jim Jaew is a traditional Thai dipping sauce that balances spicy, sour, sweet, and savory flavors. While it has a kick from chilies, it’s not overwhelmingly hot and can be adjusted to your personal spice tolerance.

• What type of beef works best for this recipe?

Flank steak or sirloin are ideal cuts for Crying Tiger Beef. They’re lean, flavorful, and absorb marinades beautifully, ensuring tender and delicious results when grilled or pan-seared.

• Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, simply use gluten-free soy sauce and check that your oyster sauce is gluten-free. Most other ingredients are naturally gluten-free, making it easy to adapt for those with dietary restrictions.

Crying Tiger Beef With Nam Jim Jaew Sauce Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes to 4 hours (depending on marinating time)
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Crying tiger beef sizzles with bold Thai flavors, promising a spicy adventure on your plate. Zesty nam jim jaew sauce delivers a perfect balance of heat and tanginess that you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) ribeye, sirloin, or flank steak

Marinade and Seasoning:

• 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
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Nam Jim Jaew Sauce:

• 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

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Whisk together the marinade ingredients in a non-reactive container, creating a harmonious blend of salty, sweet, and aromatic flavors.
2. Thoroughly coat the beef with the marinade, ensuring complete coverage and allowing the meat to absorb the complex seasoning profile.
3. Refrigerate the marinated beef, letting the flavors penetrate deeply for a minimum of 30 minutes, though 2-4 hours will yield the most robust taste experience.
4. Remove the beef from the refrigerator approximately 30 minutes before cooking, allowing it to reach room temperature for more even cooking.
5. Preheat a grill or heavy skillet to high heat, creating an ideal surface for developing a caramelized exterior on the meat.
6. Carefully place the marinated beef on the hot cooking surface, searing each side to create a rich, golden-brown crust while maintaining a tender interior.
7. Cook the beef to your preferred level of doneness, typically 3-5 minutes per side for medium-rare, depending on the thickness of the cut.
8. Let the cooked beef rest for 5-7 minutes, allowing the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring maximum tenderness and flavor.
9. Slice the beef against the grain into thin, elegant strips to maximize tenderness and presentation.
10. Serve immediately with nam jim jaew sauce, garnishing with fresh herbs or additional sauce as desired for an authentic Thai culinary experience.

Notes

• Marinate beef at room temperature to enhance flavor penetration and tenderize the meat effectively.
• For a leaner option, choose sirloin or flank steak which absorb marinades beautifully and remain juicy when grilled.
• Adjust spice levels in Nam Jim Jaew sauce by reducing or increasing chili peppers to suit personal heat tolerance.
• Let grilled beef rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking to allow juices to redistribute, ensuring maximum tenderness and flavor.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes (+ marinating)
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: Thai

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 490
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 860 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 38 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg