Spicy Tiger Beef With Nam Jim Jaew Sauce Recipe

The Ultimate Crying Tiger Beef Recipe with Fiery Nam Jim Jaew

Bursting with vibrant flavors, this spicy tiger beef with nam jim jaew sauce delivers a thrilling culinary adventure.

Bold Thai-inspired seasonings dance across tender strips of beef, creating an irresistible harmony of heat and complexity.

The nam jim jaew sauce, a zesty condiment, infuses each bite with tangy and spicy notes that awaken the palate.

Marinades penetrate deep into the meat, ensuring maximum flavor absorption.

Fresh herbs and chili peppers elevate the dish’s depth and brightness.

Balanced between fiery and fresh, this recipe promises a restaurant-quality experience at home.

Prepare to transform your dinner into an extraordinary Southeast Asian feast that will leave you craving more.

Ingredients Needed For Crying Tiger Beef With Nam Jim Jaew Sauce

For Marinade:
  • Soy Sauce: Adds depth and umami richness to the beef's flavor profile.
  • Fish Sauce: Brings a classic Thai seasoning punch with its salty, complex undertones.
  • Oyster Sauce: Contributes a sweet and savory caramelized essence to the meat.
  • Vegetable Oil: Helps distribute marinade evenly and keeps beef moist during cooking.
  • Brown Sugar: Balances the salty notes and creates a subtle caramelization.
  • White Pepper: Offers a subtle, warming heat that complements Thai cuisine.
  • Garlic: Provides a robust, aromatic base that deepens the overall marinade flavor.
For Protein:
  • Beef: Choose a tender cut like flank or sirloin that absorbs marinades well, look for meat with good marbling for maximum juiciness.
For Sauce:
  • Nam Jim Jaew Ingredients: A traditional Thai dipping sauce that brings bright, tangy, and spicy elements to complement the rich beef flavor.

Tools For Cooking Crying Tiger Beef With Nam Jim Jaew Sauce

  • Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining marinade ingredients and coating beef.
  • Whisk or fork: Perfect for blending sauces and spices smoothly.
  • Measuring spoons: Helps accurately portion out sauces and seasonings.
  • Cutting board: Provides clean surface for preparing ingredients.
  • Sharp knife: Needed for slicing or trimming beef.
  • Tongs or spatula: Useful for handling and turning marinated beef.
  • Grill or grill pan: Key for cooking beef to achieve charred, smoky flavor.

Simple Instructions For Crying Tiger Beef With Nam Jim Jaew Sauce

  • Whip Up the Marinade

Combine a zesty blend of soy sauce, fish sauce, oyster sauce, vegetable oil, brown sugar, white pepper, and minced garlic in a mixing bowl. This magical mixture will infuse your beef with mouthwatering flavors.

  • Massage the Meat

Generously coat the beef with the marinade, ensuring every inch gets loving attention. Let the meat soak up all those delicious flavors for at least 30 minutes, but if you can wait 2-4 hours, you’ll unlock even more incredible taste.

  • Fire Up the Grill

Heat your grill or grill pan to a sizzling hot temperature. The key is getting those perfect char marks that’ll make your meat look and taste incredible.

  • Sear to Perfection

Grill the marinated beef, flipping occasionally to create a beautiful caramelized exterior while keeping the inside juicy and tender. Cook until it reaches your desired level of doneness.

  • Rest and Slice

Allow the meat to rest for a few minutes after grilling, then slice against the grain for maximum tenderness. This helps lock in those amazing juices and ensures each bite is incredibly flavorful.

  • Serve with Nam Jim Jaew

Plate your beautifully grilled beef and drizzle with the classic Thai nam jim jaew sauce. The combination will transport your taste buds straight to the streets of Thailand.

Flavor Tips For Crying Tiger Beef With Nam Jim Jaew Sauce

  • Meat Tenderness Trick: Let the beef come to room temperature before grilling to ensure even cooking and maximum juiciness.
  • Marinade Magic: For intensified flavors, puncture the meat with a fork before marinating to help the sauce penetrate deeper into the beef.
  • Spice Level Control: Adjust the chili flakes in the Nam Jim Jaew sauce to match your heat tolerance, from mild to fiery hot.
  • Protein Swap Option: Replace beef with chicken, pork, or tofu for different dietary preferences while maintaining the classic Thai flavor profile.
  • Leftover Love: Use any remaining grilled meat in salads, wraps, or rice bowls for a quick and delicious next-day meal that keeps the Thai-inspired flavors alive.

Serving Ideas For Crying Tiger Beef With Nam Jim Jaew Sauce

  • Thai-Style Dinner Plate: Arrange sliced crying tiger beef over steamed jasmine rice, creating a beautiful and aromatic main course that highlights the rich marinade flavors.
  • Spicy Salad Companion: Pair the beef with a fresh cucumber and herb salad dressed in lime juice, offering a cool contrast to the intense meat seasoning and balancing the dish's heat.
  • Rustic Family-Style Serving: Present the beef on a large wooden board surrounded by fresh herbs like Thai basil, cilantro, and mint, encouraging guests to create their own wraps with lettuce leaves and extra nam jim jaew sauce.
  • Appetizer Option: Slice the beef thinly and serve as bite-sized appetizers on small skewers, perfect for parties or gatherings where guests can enjoy the bold Thai-inspired flavors in a casual setting.

How To Keep Crying Tiger Beef With Nam Jim Jaew Sauce Fresh

  • Short-Term Refrigeration: Store marinated beef in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before cooking, allowing flavors to deeply penetrate the meat.
  • Leftover Storage Strategy: Wrap cooked beef slices tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap, keeping them fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, ensuring maximum taste and texture retention.
  • Sauce Safekeeping: Transfer remaining Nam Jim Jaew sauce into a sealed glass jar, which can stay chilled in the refrigerator for approximately one week without losing its vibrant flavor profile.
  • Freezing Option: Slice cooled beef into thin strips and place in freezer-safe containers, where they can maintain quality for up to 2 months when properly sealed and protected from freezer burn.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes (+ marinating)

Total Time: 40 minutes to 4 hours (depending on marinating time)

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 5

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Spicy Tiger Beef With Nam Jim Jaew Sauce Recipe

Spicy Tiger Beef With Nam Jim Jaew Sauce Recipe


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4.8 from 10 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes to 4 hours (depending on marinating time)
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Crying tiger beef showcases Thailand’s bold culinary spirit with tender grilled meat and zesty nam jim jaew sauce. Spicy, tangy flavors dance across your palate, inviting you to savor an authentic street food experience.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs (680 g) ribeye, sirloin, or flank steak
  • 2 tbsps soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp fish sauce
  • 1 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp ground white pepper
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 2 tbsps fish sauce (for nam jim jaew)
  • 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

Instructions

  1. Marinade Preparation: Whisk marinade ingredients in a non-reactive container, blending salty, sweet, and aromatic elements to create a complex flavor profile.
  2. Meat Marination: Thoroughly coat beef, ensuring complete coverage and deep flavor penetration, then refrigerate for 30 minutes to 4 hours.
  3. Temperature Equalization: Remove beef from refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking, allowing it to reach room temperature for uniform heat distribution.
  4. Cooking Surface Preparation: Heat grill or heavy skillet to high temperature, creating optimal conditions for caramelization and searing.
  5. Meat Searing: Carefully place marinated beef on hot surface, developing a golden-brown crust while maintaining internal tenderness, cooking 3-5 minutes per side for medium-rare.
  6. Resting and Cutting: Allow cooked beef to rest 5-7 minutes for juice redistribution, then slice against the grain into thin, elegant strips.
  7. Serving Presentation: Plate immediately with nam jim jaew sauce, garnishing with fresh herbs to enhance the authentic Thai culinary experience.

Notes

  • Optimize Marination Time: Longer marination (2-4 hours) intensifies flavor complexity, allowing seasonings to deeply penetrate the meat’s fiber structure.
  • Manage Heat Precision: High heat is crucial for creating a perfect caramelized exterior while maintaining a juicy, tender beef interior; watch temperature carefully to prevent burning.
  • Master Meat Cutting Technique: Always slice beef against the grain to ensure maximum tenderness, reducing meat fiber resistance and creating melt-in-your-mouth texture.
  • Customize Dietary Adaptations: Swap beef with plant-based protein alternatives like portobello mushrooms or tofu for vegetarian version, adjusting marinade and cooking time accordingly for similar flavor profile and texture.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes (+ marinating)
  • Category: Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Mixing
  • Cuisine: Thai

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 1200 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 12 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 30 g
  • Cholesterol: 90 mg
Olivia Bennett

Olivia Bennett

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

Nutritional Analysis​, Dietary Accommodations​, Food Writing and Blogging​,

Education

University of Texas at Austin

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nutrition
  • Focus: Emphasis on dietary planning, food science, and the relationship between nutrition and health.​

Institute of Culinary Education, New York, NY

  • Program: Plant-Based Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Specialized training in vegetarian and vegan cooking techniques, emphasizing whole foods and sustainability.​

Olivia Bennett is Cooking Crusade’s go-to expert for nutritious, feel-good food. Based in Austin, she blends her degree in Nutrition from the University of Texas with plant-based culinary training from the Institute of Culinary Education.

Olivia’s recipes are all about balance: vibrant, wholesome, and easy-to-love dishes that work for all kinds of eaters. Her mission is simple: to make healthy eating approachable and genuinely tasty, with tips that support your lifestyle, not complicate it.

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