HANDS DOWN LARB GAI IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS TO EAT!
What’s there not to love about Larb Gai?
It’s simple to whip up, tastes amazing hot or cold, and is so fresh and satisfying. I swear, there have been weeks where I have had this day after day. It really hits all the flavors I love. Spicy, sour, salty, a little sweet, and all the herbs just take it to another level. Literally drooling thinking about this dish as I type!
I love this dish served up a few ways.
Alongside some lovely steamed Jasmin rice. (If you are having it with rice, don’t forget to hack your rice!)
Paired with some cabbage wedges, cucumber sticks, and green beans (how it’s traditionally served).
Or served up in lettuce or cabbage bowls.
This dish is wonderful for entertaining or taking it with you on the go.
For the meat, you can use chicken, pork, or beef. Pro tip – go for ground meat that has a little fat. Otherwise, your Larb will be quite dry.
Doing a Whole30 or Clean-in-15? No problem, sub the toasted rice for some chopped or crushed nuts. I like toasted cashews!
If you love Thai flavors like do, try out some of my other Thai recipes.
Thai Larb Gai
A delicious Thai salad great for a starter or a main
INGREDIENTS
- 2 tablespoons uncooked rice or cashews if Whole30 / Clean-in-15
- 500g ground chicken, pork, or beef
- 4 tbsp water
- 3 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp coconut aminos
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 1 tsp salt, or to taste
- 1/2 tsp chili flakes or fresh red chili (or to taste)
- 1 lemongrass stalk - white and light green part, finely chopped
- 2 shallots thinly sliced
- 3 scallions, chopped
- 1/2 cup cilantro chopped
- 1/3 cup mint chopped
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a skillet on low heat, add uncooked rice and toast until light golden brown, about 7 minutes. Once cool, coarsely grind using a spice grinder. If using cashews, toast till light brown, and chop. reserve for later.
- In a bowl, mix together all your sauce ingredients and reserve for later.
- In the same skillet, you toasted your rice in, cook your ground meat with water Break the meat up into small bits and cook until cooked through. You don't want the meat to brown, and there should be a little liquid leftover.
- Turn your heat off. Add in your sauce and give everything a good mix.
- Add your herbs and toasted ground rice or chopped nuts. Mix to incorporate, give it a taste, and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Serve alongside any of the following - green beans, sliced cucumber, sliced white cabbage, white rice. Or in lettuce cups.
