Thai Pork Larb with Fresh Basil & Lime
Fragrant minced pork tossed with lime juice, fish sauce, and fresh Thai basil in this iconic Southeast Asian salad. Served on lettuce leaves with crispy shallots and toasted rice powder.
- Total time
- 20 min
- Servings
- 4
- Calories
- 285
- Protein
- 28g
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground pork
- ⅓ cup fresh lime juice
- 3 tbsp fish sauce
- 2 whole red Thai chilies
- 2 medium shallots
- 3 whole garlic cloves
- 1 cup fresh Thai basil
- ¼ cup cooked jasmine rice
- 8 leaves butter lettuce or romaine leaves
- 2 tbsp shallots for garnish
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro
- 2 whole lime wedges
Instructions
- 1
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat for 1 minute until very hot. Add the ground pork, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks, 5-6 minutes until no pink remains and the meat is lightly browned. Stir frequently to ensure even cooking.
- 2
While the pork cooks, toast the rice in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring constantly, 3-4 minutes until fragrant and light golden. Transfer to a mortar and pestle or spice grinder and grind until coarse, resembling breadcrumbs; set aside.
- 3
Mince the red chilies, shallots, and garlic together finely, or use a food processor. Once the pork is cooked through, add this mixture to the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes over medium heat, stirring constantly, until aromatic.
- 4
Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the fresh lime juice and fish sauce until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional lime juice or fish sauce for balance of sour and salty notes. The mixture should be quite fragrant and tangy.
- 5
Fold in the fresh Thai basil gently using a wooden spoon, then sprinkle the toasted rice powder over the pork mixture and toss to combine. Transfer to a serving bowl and let cool for 2 minutes.
- 6
Arrange 2 lettuce leaves on each plate and spoon the larb into the center. Top with fried shallots and fresh cilantro, then serve immediately with lime wedges on the side for guests to add more brightness to taste.
Tools you’ll need
- Large skillet
- Wooden spoon
- Mortar and pestle or spice grinder
- Food processor
- Mixing bowl
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