If you're a fan of Thai cuisine, you'll love this Crying Tiger Beef recipe. Known for its flavorful marinade and tangy and spicy dipping sauce, Nam Jim Jaew. This dish is packed with umami flavors and a great ribeye steak recipe to add to your collection. Learn how to make this Thai classic ribeye steak recipe and Nam Jim Jeaw with our step-by-step guide.

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If you are thinking of new ways to enjoy your favorite cut of steak, you will love this Crying Tiger Steak recipe!
Crying Tiger Beef, or "Suea Rong Hai," is a popular Thai dish believed to originate from the northeastern region of Thailand. The name "Crying Tiger" is often thought to come from the idea that the dish is so spicy, it can make even a tiger cry. The dish features marinated grilled beef, typically served with a spicy Nam Jim Jeaw dipping sauce that perfectly complements the smoky, savory meat.
This was inspired by my Nam Jim Jaew dipping sauce, and pairs well with my Drunken Noodles.
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๐ฅ Ingredients
Crying Tiger Steak Marinade:
- Ribeye Steak or your favorite cut
- Seasoning Sauce
- Fish sauce
- Oyster sauce
- Mushroom seasoning
- Palm sugar
- Black pepper
- Oil
- Lime
Crying Tiger Dipping Sauce:
- Tamarind Paste
- Lime juice
- Fish Sauce
- Palm Sugar
- Shallots
- Cilantro
- Roasted Rice Powder
- Thai Chili Flakes
Served With
Crying Tiger Steak is traditionally served with sticky rice and a side of fresh vegetables, such as cucumber slices and lettuce leaves, to help balance the heat.
See recipe card for quantities.
๐ช Instructions
Crying Tiger Steak Recipe
Step 1: In a bowl, combine all the marinade ingredients
Step 2: let the steak marinate while preparing the dipping sauce
Step 3: For the sauce, combine all the ingredients into a small bowl and mix until sugar is dissolved
Step 4: Set aside sauce and cook the steak. Grill the beef for about 3-4 minutes on each side for medium-rare, or adjust the time according to your preferred doneness.
Step 5: Let the beef rest for a few minutes before slicing it thinly against the grain

Step 6: Enjoy!
Written Instructions:
Crying Tiger Steak Marinade:
- In a bowl, combine all the marinade ingredients, and let the steak marinate while preparing the dipping sauce.1 tbsp Fish Sauce, 1 tbsp Seasoning Sauce, 1 tbsp Oyster Sauce, 1 tablespoon Neutral Oil, 1 tablespoon Lime Juice, 1 teaspoon Mushroom Seasoning, ยผ tbsp Palm Sugar, ยผ teaspoon Black Pepper
- Let the steak marinate atleast 20 minutes while making the dipping sauce or 30 min to an hour if you have time.
Nam Jim Jeaw ( Crying Tiger Dipping Sauce) :
- Chop Cilantro, Slice Shallots, and juice Lime.
- Combine all the ingredients into a small bowl and mix until sugar is dissolved.
- Set aside and cook the steak
Cooking the Crying Tiger Steak:
- Preheat your grill or grill pan to high heat. Brush the grates with oil , or add oil to your pan.
- Grill the beef for about 3-4 minutes on each side for medium-rare, or adjust the time according to your preferred doneness.
- Let the beef rest for a few minutes before slicing it thinly against the grain.
- Arrange the sliced beef on a serving plate and garnish with fresh cilantro.
- Serve with the dipping sauce on the side, along with sticky rice and fresh vegetables like cucumbers or lettuce and enjoy!
Hint: l like let the grill run for 4-5 minutes to burn off any remnants, then clean it. I like to use this bristle-free barbecue brush for cleaning the grill.
๐ถ๏ธ Variations
- Spicier Version: Increase the amount of chili flakes in the dipping sauce for an extra kick.
- Herbaceous Twist: Add fresh mint or basil to the dipping sauce for a different flavor profile.
- Healthier Option: Use lean cuts of beef and reduce the amount of sugar in the marinade.
๐ซ Storage
Store any leftover beef in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The dipping sauce can be stored separately in a sealed container in the fridge for up to a week.
๐ก Top tip
For the best flavor, allow the beef to marinate overnight. This gives the meat time to absorb all the delicious flavors of the marinade.
๐ญ FAQ
The name comes from the dish's spiciness, which is said to be so intense it could make a tiger cry.
Ribeye, New York, and flank steak are all great options due to their tenderness and flavor.
๐ฅ Best Served with
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Crying Tiger Beef:
๐ฅฉ More Beef Recipes
Looking for other beef recipes? Try these:
๐ Recipe Card
Crying Tiger Beef with the Best Nam Jim Jeaw
Ingredients
Crying Tiger Beef Marinade
- 1-1.5 lbs Ribeye or your favorite cut of steak
- 1 tablespoon Fish Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Seasoning Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Oyster Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Neutral Oil
- 1 tablespoon Lime Juice
- 1 teaspoon Mushroom Seasoning or Chicken Powder
- ยผ tablespoon Palm Sugar or white or brown sugar
- ยผ teaspoon Black Pepper
Nam Jim Jeaw ( Crying Tiger Dipping Sauce)
- 1 tablespoon Tamarind Paste
- 1 tablespoon Fish Sauce
- 1 teaspoon Palm Sugar (chopped)
- 2 teaspoon Roasted Rice Powder
- 1-2 teaspoon Thai Chili Flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon Lime juice
- 1 tablespoon Shallots (thinly sliced)
- 5 stems Cilantro (chopped)
Save this recipe! ๐
Instructions
Crying Tiger Beef Marinade
- In a bowl, combine all the marinade ingredients, and let the steak marinate while preparing the dipping sauce.1 tablespoon Fish Sauce, 1 tablespoon Seasoning Sauce, 1 tablespoon Oyster Sauce, 1 tablespoon Neutral Oil, 1 tablespoon Lime Juice, 1 teaspoon Mushroom Seasoning, ยผ tablespoon Palm Sugar, ยผ teaspoon Black Pepper
- Let the steak marinate atleast 20 minutes while making the dipping sauce or 30 min to an hour if you have time.
Nam Jim Jeaw ( Crying Tiger Dipping Sauce)
- Chop Cilantro, Slice Shallots, and juice Lime.
- Combine all the ingredients into a small bowl and mix until sugar is dissolved.
- Set aside and cook the steak
Cooking the Crying Tiger Beef
- Preheat your grill or grill pan to high heat. Brush the grates with oil , or add oil to your pan.
- Grill the beef for about 3-4 minutes on each side for medium-rare, or adjust the time according to your preferred doneness.
- Let the beef rest for a few minutes before slicing it thinly against the grain.
- Arrange the sliced beef on a serving plate and garnish with fresh cilantro.
- Serve with the dipping sauce on the side, along with sticky rice and fresh vegetables like cucumbers or lettuce and enjoy!
Ashlee Le says
This sauce is very delicious. I will be using it on all my grilled meats. Thank you for sharing this.