Description
Authentic Moo Dad Deaw is a traditional Thai pork jerky recipe featuring thinly sliced marinated pork, infused with roasted spices and garlic, sun-dried for several hours, and then cooked by deep-frying or grilling to achieve a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and smoky flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 14 ounces pork, cut into thin slices
Spices & Marinade
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon roasted coriander seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon roasted cumin seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon roasted black peppercorns
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 tablespoon palm sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoon fish sauce
Instructions
- Roast the Spices: Roast the coriander seeds, cumin seeds, and black peppercorns in a dry pan over medium heat for about 20 seconds or until fragrant, being careful not to burn them.
- Pound the Spices and Garlic: Using a mortar and pestle, pound the roasted spices into a coarse powder. Add the garlic cloves and continue pounding until you get a fine paste-like substance.
- Prepare the Marinade: Transfer the pounded spice and garlic mixture into a large mixing bowl. Add palm sugar, fish sauce, and salt; mix well to create a marinade sauce.
- Marinate the Pork: Add the thin pork slices to the marinade and toss thoroughly to coat each piece evenly. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or preferably overnight for best flavor.
- Sun-Dry the Pork: Arrange the marinated pork slices on a drying rack or clean surface, ideally under direct sunlight. Let them dry for about a full day until the meat feels dry and firm but not hard. If necessary, dry longer for firmer jerky.
- Cook the Pork – Deep-Frying Option: Heat oil in a deep fryer or heavy pan to 350-375°F (175-190°C). Deep-fry the dried pork jerky in batches for about 3–5 minutes until cooked through and golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
- Cook the Pork – Grilling Option: Preheat a grill to medium-high heat. Place the dried pork slices on the grill with slight spacing. Grill while flipping occasionally until the meat is cooked through with a slight charred appearance.
Notes
- Marinating overnight enhances the flavor deeply.
- Sun-drying is crucial for authentic texture but can be substituted with a food dehydrator if needed.
- Ensure oil is properly heated before deep-frying to avoid greasy jerky.
- Grilling adds a smoky flavor alternative to frying.
- Adjust sugar and fish sauce levels to taste for sweetness and saltiness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes (deep-frying) or 10 minutes (grilling)
- Category: Snack
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Thai
Keywords: Moo Dad Deaw, Thai pork jerky, Thai snack, marinated pork jerky, dried pork recipe, grilled pork jerky, deep-fried pork
