Larb Moo (Isan Minced Pork Salad)
Local name: ลาบหมู
In short: Minced pork cooked briefly and tossed with lime juice, fish sauce, toasted ground rice, chili flakes, shallots and plenty of fresh mint. It takes about 30 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 10 min
- Total
- 30 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 250 kcal
Larb is the party salad of Isan, the northeast, served at celebrations and everyday meals alike. Minced pork is cooked briefly, then dressed while warm with lime juice, fish sauce, chili flakes and toasted ground sticky rice, which adds a nutty aroma and a slight grit. Fresh mint, shallots and spring onion finish it. Eat it with sticky rice and raw vegetables, warm or at room temperature.
Instructions
- Toast the raw rice in a dry pan over medium-low heat for 5 minutes, shaking often, until deep golden and fragrant. Grind in a mortar or spice grinder to a coarse powder.
- Heat the water in a skillet over medium heat. Add the pork and break it up. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring, until just cooked through (71°C/160°F). Do not brown it.
- Tip the pork and its juices into a bowl. While still warm, stir in the lime juice, fish sauce, chili flakes and sugar.
- Add the rice powder, shallots and spring onions and mix well. Taste: it should be sour, salty, hot and nutty.
- Fold in the mint and coriander at the last minute so they stay bright.
- Serve warm or at room temperature with sticky rice and raw vegetables.
Tips
- Do not skip toasting the rice. The powder gives larb its signature aroma. You can make a larger batch and keep it in a jar for 2 weeks.
- Chicken, duck or beef work as well, and so does crumbled firm tofu with mushrooms for a meat-free larb.
Questions and answers
What is khao khua?
It is toasted ground sticky rice, a staple of Isan cooking. It adds a nutty flavor and helps the dressing cling to the meat.
How spicy is larb?
It can be quite hot in Thailand. Use 1 teaspoon of chili flakes for a mild salad and add more at the table.
Can I make larb ahead of time?
Cook the pork and mix the dressing up to 6 hours ahead, then add the herbs and rice powder just before serving so they stay fresh and crisp.
How long does it take to make Larb Moo (Isan Minced Pork Salad)?
About 30 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 10 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Larb Moo (Isan Minced Pork Salad)?
About 250 kcal per serving, with 24 g of protein, 7 g of carbohydrates and 14 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 250 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 24 g |
| Carbohydrates | 7 g |
| Fat | 14 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 1000 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
