Fiery Crying Tiger Beef: Nam Jim Jaew Sauce Recipe Magic

Beef sings with fiery passion when tossed in nam jim jaew sauce, a spicy crying tiger beef recipe that dances between bold Thai flavors and searing heat.

Tender strips of meat absorb the complex marinade, promising a culinary adventure that ignites the senses.

Each slice promises a perfect balance of char and zest, grilling to mouthwatering perfection.

Aromatic herbs and chili peppers weave their magic into every bite, transforming simple ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

The sauce brings a symphony of tang, spice, and umami that makes taste buds tingle with excitement.

Fresh ingredients elevate this dish from ordinary to extraordinary, creating a plate that looks as stunning as it tastes.

You’ll want to savor every single morsel of this spectacular Thai classic.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes (+ marinating)

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 375 kcal

Servings: 4

Crying Tiger Beef Ingredient Essentials

• Soy Sauce: Adds savory depth and helps tenderize the meat with its umami-rich profile.
• Fish Sauce: Provides a complex, salty flavor that's quintessential in Thai cuisine.
• Oyster Sauce: Brings a rich, slightly sweet undertone that enhances the beef's natural taste.
• Vegetable Oil: Helps distribute marinade evenly and promotes better caramelization.
• Brown Sugar: Balances the savory notes and creates a beautiful caramelized exterior.
• White Pepper: Offers a subtle, warming heat with a more delicate flavor than black pepper.
• Garlic: Infuses the marinade with aromatic, pungent notes that complement the beef.

• Fish Sauce: Provides the essential salty base for the traditional Thai dipping sauce.
• Lime Juice: Adds bright, zesty acidity that cuts through the richness of the beef.
• Tamarind Paste: Contributes a tangy, slightly sweet-sour complexity to the sauce.
• Sugar: Balances the intense flavors and rounds out the sauce's profile.
• Chili Flakes: Introduces a spicy kick that awakens the palate.
• Toasted Rice Powder: Adds a nutty, toasted dimension unique to Thai cuisine.
• Shallots: Bring a mild, sweet onion flavor with less pungency than regular onions.
• Cilantro: Provides a fresh, herbaceous note that's characteristic of Southeast Asian cooking.
• Green Onions: Offer a mild, crisp onion flavor with a pop of color and freshness.

Tools for Thai-Style Grilling at Home

• Mixing Bowls: Small to medium-sized bowls for preparing marinade and sauce.
• Whisk or Spoon: For mixing ingredients smoothly.
• Measuring Spoons and Cups: Precise ingredient measurements.
• Grill or Cast-Iron Pan: High-heat cooking surface for perfect beef sear.
• Sharp Knife: For slicing beef thinly against the grain.
• Cutting Board: Clean surface for meat preparation.
• Tongs: Safely handle and flip beef while grilling.
• Meat Thermometer (optional): Check beef doneness accurately.

How to Make Crying Tiger Beef That Sizzles

• Create Flavor Bomb Marinade

Whip up a zesty mixture blending salty, sweet, and aromatic seasonings to transform your beef into a taste explosion.

• Massage Beef with Magic Mixture

Lovingly coat your meat with the marinade, letting it soak up all those incredible flavors for maximum deliciousness.

• Craft Spicy Dipping Sauce

Blend tangy, fiery ingredients to create a sauce that’ll make your taste buds dance with excitement.

• Fire Up the Cooking Surface

Crank your grill or pan to blazing hot temperatures to achieve that perfect seared exterior.

• Grill to Perfection

Cook the beef quickly and confidently, aiming for a beautifully caramelized crust while keeping the inside juicy.

• Rest and Slice with Care

Allow the meat to relax, then slice against the grain to ensure maximum tenderness.

• Serve with Flair

Plate your masterpiece with the zesty sauce on the side, accompanied by fresh herbs and fluffy rice for a meal that’ll transport you straight to Thailand.

Tips for Perfect Doneness and Spicy Sauce Balance

• Flavor-Boosting Marinades: Let the beef soak in the marinade for at least 2-4 hours to develop deeper, more complex flavors that penetrate every fiber of the meat.
• Grilling Pro Tips: Use a high-heat cooking surface like a cast-iron skillet or grill to achieve those perfect char marks and seal in the juicy tenderness of the beef.
• Meat Slicing Secrets: Always slice the beef against the grain to ensure maximum tenderness and easier chewing, cutting thin slices about 1/4 inch thick for the best texture.
• Diet-Friendly Adaptations: For a gluten-free version, replace soy sauce with tamari and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free. Vegetarians can swap beef with thick slices of portobello mushrooms or firm tofu for a similar grilling experience.
• Sauce Storage Hack: Prepare the Nam Jim Jaew sauce ahead of time and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, allowing the flavors to develop and intensify even more.

Serving Ideas That Feel Straight from Bangkok

• Flavor Explosion Platter: Create a vibrant presentation with thinly sliced beef arranged artfully on a large wooden board, surrounded by fresh herbs, lime wedges, and small dipping bowls of Nam Jim Jaew sauce.
• Rice Companion Delight: Serve the beef over steaming sticky rice or jasmine rice, allowing the sauce to slightly soak into the grains for an extra burst of tangy, spicy flavor that complements the meat perfectly.
• Herb Garden Garnish: Sprinkle freshly chopped cilantro, mint, and green onions over the sliced beef to add a bright, fresh element that cuts through the rich, savory meat and enhances the overall taste profile.
• Thai-Inspired Feast: Pair the crying tiger beef with cucumber salad, som tam (green papaya salad), and extra Nam Jim Jaew sauce to create a complete Thai-style meal that celebrates bold, vibrant flavors and textures.

Storing Leftovers Without Drying Out the Steak

• Quick Chill Method: After cooking, let the Crying Tiger Beef cool completely to room temperature before refrigerating to prevent bacterial growth and maintain meat texture.
• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover beef in an airtight container, which keeps the meat fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator without losing its marinaded flavor profile.
• Freezing Technique: Slice beef thinly before freezing in sealed freezer bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Frozen meat maintains quality for up to 2-3 months when properly wrapped.
• Sauce Separation Tip: Keep Nam Jim Jaew sauce in a separate sealed container in the refrigerator, where it stays fresh for 5-7 days. Stir well before serving to reintegrate ingredients and restore original zesty flavor.

Spicy Crying Tiger Beef With Nam Jim Jaew Sauce Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Crying tiger beef celebrates bold Thai flavors through tender grilled meat paired with zesty nam jim jaew sauce. Spicy, tangy, and complex notes dance across your palate, promising a memorable culinary adventure from Southeast Asia.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.5 lbs (680 g) ribeye, sirloin, or flank steak
• 2 tbsps soy sauce
• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp ground white pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsps fish sauce
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tbsp tamarind paste (or more lime juice if unavailable)
• 1 tsp palm sugar (or brown sugar)
• 1 tbsp toasted rice powder
• 1 tbsp chili flakes
• 1 small shallot, finely sliced
• 1 tbsp chopped cilantro
• 1 tbsp chopped green onions
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Marinade Mastery: Whisk soy sauce, fish sauce, oyster sauce, vegetable oil, brown sugar, white pepper, and minced garlic in a mixing container to create a robust flavor base for the beef.
2. Flavor Infusion: Massage the marinade thoroughly into the beef, ensuring complete coverage, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 4 hours to allow deep flavor penetration.
3. Sauce Symphony: Blend fish sauce, lime juice, tamarind paste, sugar, chili flakes, and toasted rice powder in a bowl, then fold in chopped shallots, cilantro, and green onions, letting the mixture rest for 10 minutes to harmonize flavors.
4. Searing Technique: Heat a grill or cast-iron skillet to high temperature, then cook the marinated beef for 3-5 minutes per side, achieving a caramelized exterior while maintaining desired doneness.
5. Resting and Slicing: Remove beef from heat and let rest for 5-10 minutes, then slice thinly against the grain to maximize tenderness and create an appealing presentation.
6. Culinary Composition: Artfully arrange the sliced beef on a serving plate, drizzle with the vibrant Nam Jim Jaew sauce, and garnish with fresh herbs, serving alongside sticky or jasmine rice for a complete Thai-inspired feast.

Notes

• Marinate Masterfully: Ensure beef is completely coated with marinade, massaging sauce deeply into meat for maximum flavor penetration and tenderness.
• Temperature Control: Use a meat thermometer to achieve perfect doneness, targeting medium-rare (135°F) for optimal juiciness and flavor in the beef.
• Resting Ritual: Allow meat to rest after cooking to prevent moisture loss, letting internal juices redistribute and creating more succulent slices.
• Slicing Strategy: Always cut beef against the grain to break down muscle fibers, guaranteeing a melt-in-your-mouth texture that enhances the overall eating experience.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg