Heavenly Beef Jerky (Neau Sawan)
"Neau sawan" literally translates to heavenly beef, and rightly so. Unlike American jerky, this version is sweet, sticky and herbaceous. Coriander is the secret ingredient and is delicious in this jerky. If you have an air fryer, the dehydrator mode is perfect for a quick cook.
Ingredients
| 3 lb (1.4 kg) | beef top sirloin |
| 3/4 cup (150 g) | white sugar |
| 2 tbsp (13 g) | black pepper |
| 5 tbsp (30 g) | cumin seed, toasted and ground |
| 5 tbsp (25 g) | coriander seed, toasted and ground |
| 3 tbsp (45 ml) | fish sauce |
| 3 tbsp (45 ml) | oyster sauce |
| 3 tbsp (45 ml) | thin soy sauce |
| 1 tbsp (15 ml) | Thai soybean sauce |
| 1 tbsp (7 g) | toasted sesame seeds |
Instructions
- Slice the beef paper thin, into 1/8- to 1/4-inch (3- to 6-mm) slices, and place them in a medium bowl. Add the remaining ingredients except for the toasted sesame seeds. Massage the beef with your hands for about 2 to 3 minutes until well coated. Cover and refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours, allowing the marinade to penetrate the beef.
- Remove the beef from the marinade and allow it to drain on a wire rack that fits over a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Place the rack and cookie sheet in the fridge for 1 to 2 hours to air dry.
- When you're ready to bake, preheat the oven to 170Ā°F (75Ā°C). Discard the parchment paper on the cookie sheet, and replace it with a new sheet. Sprinkle the sesame seeds on top of the beef. Bake for 2 to 3 hours until cooked through, browned and sticky. Pro Tip: Frying the beef is also a popular way to cook the jerky. Fry at 350Ā°F (175Ā°C) for 2 to 3 minutes until golden brown and just cooked through.