Description
Crying Tiger Beef with Nam Jim Jaew is a flavorful Thai grilled steak dish featuring tender marinated flank or ribeye steak paired with a zesty, spicy, and nutty dipping sauce called Nam Jim Jaew. This dish combines savory, tangy, and spicy flavors, perfect for a quick dinner or special gathering, served best with sticky rice or fresh salad.
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 this marinade and let it rest for at least 30 minutes, or refrigerate overnight for a deeper infusion of flavors.
- Prepare Nam Jim Jaew (Dipping Sauce): In a small bowl, combine fish sauce, lime juice, tamarind paste, sugar, and chili flakes. Stir in toasted rice powder, minced garlic, chopped cilantro, and chopped green onion. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning to balance salty, sour, sweet, and spicy notes as desired.
- Grill the Beef: Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill the marinated steak for approximately 4-5 minutes per side to achieve medium-rare doneness, adjusting time based on your preferred level of cooking. Once grilled, remove the steak and allow it to rest for 5 minutes to retain juices.
- Slice and Serve: Slice the beef thinly against the grain to maximize tenderness. Arrange slices on a serving plate and serve alongside the freshly prepared Nam Jim Jaew dipping sauce. Complement the dish with sticky rice, grilled vegetables, or a fresh Thai salad for a complete meal experience.
Notes
- Marinating overnight enhances the beef’s flavor significantly.
- Adjust the chili flakes in the dipping sauce to suit your spice tolerance.
- Toasted rice powder (khao khua) can be made by dry roasting sticky rice and grinding it into a powder; it adds an authentic nutty crunch.
- Resting the steak after grilling ensures juicier, more tender meat.
- Serve with traditional sticky rice and fresh herbs for an authentic Thai meal.
