Thai Beef Laab Salad with Fresh Herbs
Enjoy a delightful and refreshing twist on a classic Thai dish with this Thai Beef Laab Salad. Perfect as a light summer meal or any day when you crave something bursting with flavor, this recipe features ground beef mixed with aromatic herbs and spices, all wrapped in crisp butter lettuce leaves. Fast to prepare once your ingredients are prepped, it showcases the vibrant essence of Thai cuisine. Serve it as a fun and interactive dish, allowing everyone to create their own lettuce wraps topped with fragrant mint and cilantro for an unforgettable dining experience.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Jasmine rice
2 tablespoons (uncooked, toasted)
Ground beef
1 lb (raw)
Lime juice
4 tablespoons (freshly squeezed, divided)
Fish sauce
1 tablespoon (none)
Shallot
1/2 cup (thinly sliced)
Gingerroot
2 teaspoons (minced fresh)
Scallions
4 (chopped)
Mint leaves
1/4 cup (chopped, plus whole leaves for garnish)
Fresh cilantro
for garnish (none)
Cilantro
2 tablespoons (chopped)
Chili-garlic sauce
2 tablespoons (none)
Light brown sugar
2 teaspoons (none)
Butter lettuce leaves
12 (washed and dried)
Instructions
1
In a dry skillet over medium-high heat, toast the jasmine rice, stirring frequently, until it turns golden brown, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool on a plate.
2
In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, 3 tablespoons of lime juice, fish sauce, thinly sliced shallots, and minced ginger. Mix thoroughly.
3
Using the same skillet over high heat, add the beef mixture. Cook for 5-7 minutes, breaking the meat into small pieces, until it is fully cooked. Remove from heat and set aside.
4
Stir in the remaining lime juice, chopped scallions, mint leaves, cilantro, chili-garlic sauce, and brown sugar into the cooked beef mixture. Combine well, ensuring all ingredients are evenly distributed.
5
In a spice grinder or blender, grind the cooled toasted rice into a sandy powder. Fold this powder into the meat mixture, mixing thoroughly.
6
To serve, spoon the laab salad into a bowl lined with butter lettuce leaves or serve individually on each leaf for a fun presentation. Garnish with whole mint leaves and additional cilantro.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Thai Beef Laab Salad with Fresh Herbs?
It is a refreshing Thai dish featuring ground beef mixed with aromatic herbs and spices, served in crisp butter lettuce leaves.
What are the main ingredients in this recipe?
The main ingredients include jasmine rice, ground beef, lime juice, fish sauce, shallots, ginger, scallions, mint, cilantro, chili-garlic sauce, brown sugar, and butter lettuce.
How do I prepare the jasmine rice for this salad?
Toast the uncooked jasmine rice in a dry skillet over medium-high heat for about 8 minutes until golden brown, then grind it into a sandy powder.
What type of meat is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 pound of ground beef.
How long does it take to toast the rice?
It takes approximately 8 minutes of frequent stirring until the rice turns golden brown.
What kind of lettuce is recommended for serving?
Butter lettuce leaves are recommended because they are crisp and perfect for creating wraps.
Is this recipe spicy?
The recipe includes 2 tablespoons of chili-garlic sauce, which provides a vibrant spice level.
What gives the dish its saltiness and umami flavor?
One tablespoon of fish sauce is used to provide the signature savory Thai flavor.
How do I prepare the ginger for this dish?
The gingerroot should be minced fresh, using approximately 2 teaspoons.
Can I use bottled lime juice?
The recipe recommends 4 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lime juice for the best flavor.
What aromatics are cooked with the beef?
The beef is cooked with lime juice, fish sauce, thinly sliced shallots, and minced ginger.
How long should I cook the beef mixture?
Cook the beef mixture over high heat for 5-7 minutes until it is fully cooked and broken into small pieces.
When do I add the fresh herbs like mint and cilantro?
Stir in the chopped mint, cilantro, and scallions after the beef has been cooked and removed from the heat.
What is the purpose of the toasted rice powder?
The toasted rice powder adds a unique nutty flavor and a sandy texture that is characteristic of traditional laab.
How many servings of lettuce wraps does this make?
The recipe uses 12 butter lettuce leaves for serving.
Is there any sugar in this recipe?
Yes, 2 teaspoons of light brown sugar are added to balance the sour and salty flavors.
What tools can I use to grind the rice?
You can use a spice grinder or a blender to turn the cooled toasted rice into powder.
How should the shallots be prepared?
You should use 1/2 cup of shallots, thinly sliced.
Can this dish be served as an appetizer?
Yes, it works well as a light meal or an interactive appetizer where guests build their own wraps.
What should I use for garnish?
Garnish the finished dish with whole mint leaves and additional fresh cilantro.
What heat setting is used to toast the rice?
The rice should be toasted over medium-high heat.
What heat setting is used to cook the beef?
The beef mixture should be cooked over high heat.
How many scallions are needed?
The recipe calls for 4 chopped scallions.
Do I need to add oil to the pan for the rice?
No, the rice is toasted in a dry skillet without any oil.
Can I prepare the rice powder in advance?
Yes, you can toast and grind the rice ahead of time as long as it is stored in an airtight container.
Is this dish considered a healthy option?
Yes, it is tagged as a healthy, light meal featuring lean protein and fresh herbs.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 13 ingredients in this recipe.
What is the best way to present this dish?
Spoon the laab mixture into a bowl lined with lettuce or serve individual portions directly on the leaves.
Can I use a different type of rice?
Jasmine rice is specified for its aroma, but other long-grain white rices can be toasted similarly if needed.
Is this a quick recipe to make?
Yes, once the ingredients are prepped, the cooking and assembly process is very fast.