Crying Tiger Beef – Thai Grilled Steak with Spicy Sauce and Bold Flavors

If you love bold, spicy, and smoky flavors, this Crying Tiger Beef is a must-try. It’s a Thai grilled steak dish that’s all about juicy meat, a fiery dipping sauce, and simple ingredients that pack a punch. Perfect for dinner when you want something unforgettable.

Why It’s Called “Crying Tiger”

Legend says the sauce is so spicy it could make a tiger cry—or that the steak is so delicious the tiger cries because it’s not getting any. Either way, this dish delivers serious heat and deep umami flavor.

Ingredients

For the Steak

• 1½ lbs flank steak or ribeye
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp oil
• ½ tsp black pepper
• Juice of ½ lime

For the Crying Tiger Sauce

• 2 tbsp fish sauce
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tbsp toasted rice powder (optional, for crunch)
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp chili flakes (adjust to taste)
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tbsp chopped cilantro
• 1 tbsp chopped green onions

How to Make It

Step 1: Marinate the steak
In a bowl, mix soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, brown sugar, oil, pepper, and lime juice. Coat the steak and let it marinate at least 30 minutes or overnight.

Step 2: Make the dipping sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together all Crying Tiger sauce ingredients. Adjust chili and lime to your taste preference. Set aside.

Step 3: Grill the steak
Preheat grill or skillet to high heat. Grill steak 3–4 minutes per side for medium-rare. Let it rest before slicing thinly against the grain.

Step 4: Serve
Arrange sliced beef on a platter. Serve with the Crying Tiger dipping sauce on the side and sticky rice or jasmine rice.

Tips & Variations

• Don’t skip resting the meat—it keeps it juicy.
• Add extra toasted rice powder to the sauce for crunch and nutty flavor.
• You can also pan-sear the steak if grilling isn’t an option.
• Serve with fresh cucumbers or herbs for a cooling contrast to the heat.

Why You’ll Love It

Crying Tiger Beef is spicy, smoky, and bursting with flavor in every bite. The juicy grilled steak pairs perfectly with the zesty dipping sauce, making it a Thai-style dish that’s hard to resist—especially with a side of sticky rice to soak up every drop.