Thai Minced Pork Salad Recipe (Laab Moo): A Refreshing Thai Salad Asian Recipes Salads Dinner Pork Lunch

Larb Moo is a type of chopped meat salad that is the national dish of Laos, a southeast Asian country. Green papaya salad and sticky rice are also popular in this area of the world. This easy Thai minced pork salad recipe is balanced in flavors, light, refreshing and a wonderful lunch or dinner.

The pork is simmered in a little bit of water, which helps keep the meat from browning. Cooking the ground pork this way keeps it soft, juicy and tender. Fish sauce, lime juice and ground Thai chile powder (or crushed red pepper flakes) season the meat before shallot, fresh cilantro and green onions are added. Toasted rice power thickens any liquid in the meat and adds a nuttiness to the salad. The last addition is fresh mint leaves. This Thai recipe can be served with sticky rice or over lettuce leaves with fresh cucumber or other vegetables.

Known as khao khua in Thailand, toasted rice powder is easy to make if you don't want to go to the Asian market. Try this easy homemade toasted rice powder. The rice powder can also be used as a thickener for soups and stews.

Be sure to let the meat cool slightly before adding the fresh ingredients so they don't "cook" in the heat. You want them crisp and fresh. Serve this pork salad for lunch or dinner.

Cuisine: Thai
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 2

Ingredients

• 8 ounces ground pork
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 1/2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 2 1/2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar (optional)
• ground Thai chile powder or crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
• 1 shallot, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems
• 2 green onions, sliced 
• 2 tablespoons Thai toasted rice powder (homemade toasted rice powder)
• 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves

Here's how to make it: 

1. Put the water into a saucepot and bring to a boil. Add the pork and stir well. Cook until meat is cooked through, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool for a few minutes. 
2. Add the fish sauce, lime juice, sugar (if using) and chile powder. Mix well. 
3. Add the shallot, cilantro leaves and green onion. Stir. 
4. Add the toasted rice powder and stir until all the liquid has absorbed.
5. Stir in the mint leaves. Taste and add salt, pepper and more of any ingredient, to taste. 

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