Authentic Vietnamese Beef Marinade

Ingredients

Lime juice

1/4 cup, freshly squeezed

Black pepper

1 teaspoon, freshly ground

Brown sugar

2 tablespoons

Soy sauce

1/4 cup

Fish sauce

2 tablespoons

Garlic

4 cloves, minced

Lemongrass

2 stalks, finely minced (white part only)

Beef (flank steak or sirloin recommended)

1.5 pounds, trimmed

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the minced lemongrass, minced garlic, fish sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, black pepper, and freshly squeezed lime juice. Whisk until the brown sugar is dissolved and all ingredients are well blended.
2. Place the trimmed beef into the marinade, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated. Use your hands to massage the marinade into the meat for maximum flavor absorption.
3. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the beef and marinade into a resealable plastic bag. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or overnight for the best results.
4. Preheat your grill or oven to medium-high heat. Remove the beef from the marinade and discard the marinade.
5. Grill the beef for about 6-8 minutes per side for medium-rare, or adjust cooking time according to your preferred doneness.
6. Let the beef rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing it against the grain into thin strips. Serve warm.