Authentic Thai Crying Tiger Steak Recipe

Praew July 20, 2023 2 Comments

5 / 2 Reviews

Delicious charcoal-grilled beef, paired with a traditional tangy-spicy dipping sauce.

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Sliced Thai crying tiger steak arranged on a wooden cutting board, drizzled with nam jim jaew dipping sauce, alongside a clay cup filled with spicy, tangy sauce at the center.

Authentic Thai crying tiger steak recipe is perfect for leveling up your usual beef. It comes with a fresh and spicy nam jim jaew dipping sauce, which is truly a game-changer. Gather your spices and enjoy this flavorful and classic dish on its own or with sticky rice or steamed rice!

Slices of Thai crying tiger beef, topped with herbs and spices, around a clay cup with a dipping sauce.

What is crying tiger beef

This classic Thai dish, known as sua rong hai in Thailand, comes straight from rural Thailand – the northeast region known as Isan. Isan food is known for containing a wide variety of herbs and spices to create signature spicy flavors. And don’t forget about sticky rice – the staple from Isan which we love to eat with all Thai food.

Today, I’m bringing some of Isan cuisine into your home. Say goodbye to grilled steak with salt and pepper, and hello to a new world of flavorful Thai cuisine. My family lives in Isan, and we’re all head over heels for grilled meat. Whenever my grandfather gets a good cut of beef, his excitement is through the roof, especially when he’s preparing spicy Thai beef.

For my grandparents, beef is a luxury item, and they love it so- so much. My husband and I do our best to provide them with a nice cut of beef meat when we can.

Slices of grilled beef arranged on a wooden cutting board with a dipping sauce in a small clay cup.

It’s no wonder Thai people love sua rong hai so much, this beef dish is not just good food, it’s a part of our local tradition. We marinate the steak and grill it until it bursts with juiciness, then slice it into thin strips. To accompany this, we serve an out-of-this-world Thai dipping sauce – the spicy and tangy nam jim jaew – my family’s go-to sauce for grilled meat. We can never get enough of it!

For a meal true Isan style, pair this with sticky rice. Roll a ball of sticky rice into your hand, dip it into the sauce, pick a slice of beef, and then enjoy the flavor explosion and grilled aroma with eyes closed. Share with other people and enjoy with other side-dishes.

Slices of grilled steak topped with a spicy, tangy dipping sauce and fresh herbs. Alongside is a clay cup with the same dipping sauce in it.

Why is it called crying tiger

There are many theories around the fascinating name of this dish, and nobody in my village, including the beef seller, could guide me towards finding the exact origin of the name ‘crying tiger steak’.

One thing I know for sure, is that this dish reflects Isan’s love for all things spicy. The fiery taste of the dipping sauce is so intense that it could make a tiger shed tears.

Spicy Thai beef slices with one slice resting in a dipping sauce.

Or perhaps the name refers to the juices that drip from the steak as it grills and is sliced. An authentic crying tiger recipe requires a cut of marbled meat, complete with parts of fat. As you grill it, the fat drips onto the sizzling hot coals, resembling a tiger weeping away its tears.

But the most charming story came from my little niece, she has a great imagination. She is convinced that the name originated from a man who began crying while enjoying a nice piece of steak because it was so delicious. Then, a tiger came and ate the man, and ironically, the tiger itself burst into tears after eating him.

Grilled Thai BBQ steak with nam jim jaew.

I don’t know where the name comes from, but I do know one thing, it’s as delicious as it is mysterious!

Thai grilling recipe tips and tricks

A tender steak with marbled cut is what you need – for example, sirloin or rib-eye. Marbling is needed for a juicy and fatty bite, which is signature for Thai BBQ steak.
Once you’ve grilled the steak, let it rest for a few moments. This way it will be more juicy and even more delicious.
Slice the steak against the grain to make it easier to chew.
Grilling over high heat is key for a delicious crust. Grill medium rare, but don’t overcook it – whatever you do, don’t overcook it.
Let the beef rest in the marinade for 30 minutes – 1 hour, so it can absorb all the flavors.

Nam jim jaew dipping sauce

Nam jim jaew is the perfect Thai condiment for those who love a bit of spice. It’s easy to make, and it pairs perfectly with this authentic Thai grilled beef recipe.

You’ll need no more than a handful of ingredients to make crying tiger sauce yourself – lime, fish sauce, white sugar, dried chili flakes, and toasted rice powder. As always, feel free to customize the spice-level of this condiment to your personal preference. All you need is a mixing bowl, a spoon, and an extra 5 minutes, so don’t skip it.

Ingredients

Raw beef, golden mountain seasoning sauce, palm sugar, garlic, black peppercorns, and oyster sauce artistically displayed on banana leaves. Ingredients are also presented in rustic clay cups with decorative flowers enhancing the setup.

Most ingredients can be found at grocery stores or Asian supermarkets.

Steak ingredients

Beef – It’s best to purchase a marbled cut of beef like sirloin or rib-eye. A beautiful steak with fat gives a juicy and flavorful bite.
Golden mountain sauce – A flavor enhancer which is commonly used in Thai cuisine to add umami.
Oyster sauce – This thick sauce adds a salty flavor to the meat.
Palm sugar – Palm sugar is used for its sweetness, it has a richer flavor than regular white sugar.
Black peppercorns – Black peppercorns add a subtle hint of spice to the meat.
Garlic

Dipping sauce ingredients

Nam jim jaew is a sour – salty – subtly sweet – and spicy sauce. Together, these ingredients create an amazing dipping sauce with a perfect flavor balance.

Lime
Fish sauce
White sugar
Dried chili flakes
Toasted rice powder

Step-by-step instructions

Pound garlic and black peppercorns with a mortar and pestle. Then, add palm sugar, golden mountain sauce, and oyster sauce and thoroughly mix into a marinade.

Mix the marinade into the steak and let rest for 30 minutes – 1 hour.

Top-down view of Thai chili dipping sauce in glass cup.

Meanwhile, you can make the dipping sauce. Add fish sauce, lime juice, dried chili flakes, toasted rice powder, and sugar into a mixing bowl and stir until everything is well mixed. Garnish with fresh herbs such as coriander.

Grill the steak over charcoal or use a grilling pan over medium high heat and grill each side for 3 minutes (the grilling time depends on the thickness of your cut) for a medium rare steak.

Let the meat rest for several minutes before serving. Slice into thin strips which can be dipping into the dipping sauce.

How to serve

Let’s serve Thai grilled steak in the traditional way. Slice the steak into thin strips against the grain after it has been grilled, marinated, and rested. This makes it easier to eat. Serve this tender steak with sticky rice, nam jim jaew, and fresh vegetables such as cucumber, yard-long beans, and tomatoes. Roll sticky rice into a small ball and dip it into the sauce, then grab a piece of meat.

In Isan, we love to eat together with our friends and family, so we often cook up a few different meals at once. Som tum (green papaya salad), nam tok neua (grilled beef salad), or a minced pork omelette are all great side-dishes for a larger meal.

This dish is also enjoyed on its own a snack with Thai whiskey.

How to store

Keep leftover steak in your refrigerator for up to 3 days. Either transfer it to an airtight container or seal with plastic wrap. The dipping sauce tastes best freshly made, but you can keep it for up to a week.

To reheat, you can simply use a grilling pan and grill each side until warm.

Fun fact

When I went to order a piece of tasty Thai beef steak at the beef vendor in our local village, she informed me that the juicy cuts of beef for this traditional meal always sell out quickly.

It seems that Thai youth come together at midnight to purchase these fine cuts. They love to eat it as a snack with Thai whiskey or beer, and some even enjoy it raw!

Luckily, I didn’t need to set my alarm for a midnight run. The vendor was kind enough to reserve a nice cut for me until the next day.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ’s)

What to serve with crying tiger beef?

Crying tiger is traditionally served with sticky rice and a variety of fresh vegetables. Additionally, you can serve it as part of a larger meal with other side-dishes such as som tum (Thai papaya salad), larb salad, Thai omelettes, and other grilled meat.

How to cook crying tiger?

Crying tiger steak is cooked medium-rare, and traditionally it’s grilled over charcoal. First, the meat is marinated for a few hours or overnight, then it’s grilled on high heat, after which it’s sliced against the grain.

How many calories are in crying tiger steak?

The number of calories in this beef dish vary on the ingredients, the cooking method, and the recipe used. Overall, it’s a low-calorie meal, with rather healthy ingredients. It’s often served with a side of sticky rice, which is rather high in calories.

Can I use any cut of beef?

Traditionally, crying tiger is made with a tender cut that’s well marbled. Good options are sirloin or rib-eye. Avoid tough cuts and try purchasing a cut of beef that’s good for grilling. The quality of beef will affect the taste outcome, so try to find a good cut if you can.

Can I make this in advance?

The steak is best marinated up to a day in advance. The dipping sauce can be made in advance as well, just store it in your fridge. The cooking process is best done when you’re ready to serve.

Can I make crying tiger sauce in advance?

Yes, you can definitely prepare the nam jim jaew dipping sauce for crying tiger steak in advance and keep it refrigerated for up to a week. Add fresh herbs just before serving it.

More refreshing recipes you’ll love

Chicken pineapple fried rice – This variation of fried rice is the perfect summer meal, with fresh pineapple chunks and crunchy nuts.
Yum woon sen – A light and refreshing salad with glass noodles, tomatoes, celery, and minced pork.
Thai lime garlic steamed fish – A healthy recipe with lots of fresh herbs and tangy flavors.
Kai pad med mamuang – A Thai classic, crunchy chicken with bell peppers, cashews, and a sticky sauce.

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5 from 2 votes