Vegan Thai Larb Salad (Laab Tofu)
If you’ve ever had laab or larb in a Thai restaurant, you know it’s that zingy, herb-packed salad that wakes up all your senses. Traditionally made with ground pork, larb is one of the most loved dishes in the northeastern region of Thailand.
- Prep time
- 15 min
- Cook time
- 10 min
- Yield
- 4 servings
- Difficulty
- MEDIUM
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil (neutral oil; avoid sesame oil)
- 14 oz (1 block) extra-firm tofu, pressed and crumbled into small pieces (tofu mixture)
- 3 tablespoons uncooked glutinous rice, toasted over low heat and ground into a rough powder (toasted rice powder)
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce (or vegan fish sauce/soy sauce)
- 2½ tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
- 1 teaspoon sugar or palm sugar
- 3 small shallots, thinly sliced
- 2 stalks spring onions (green onions), thinly sliced
- 1 stalk lemongrass, thinly sliced
- 3–4 leaves makrut lime leaves (kaffir lime leaves), finely shredded
- 1–2 teaspoons red chilli flakes (adjust to spice preference)
- 1 cup mixed fresh herbs (mint, coriander/cilantro, and Thai basil)
Instructions
- 1
Toast rice – In a separate pan, toast uncooked glutinous rice over low heat until golden. Grind into a rough powder with a spice grinder or food processor. This toasted rice is one of the most important key ingredients in any larb recipe. Full recipe for Khao Khua here.
- 2
– Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat with a splash of oil. Add the tofu mixture and cook 3–4 minutes, stirring until golden brown. Add a spoon of hot water or stock if it looks too dry.
- 3
– Leave the tofu in the wok or pan you used, toss in sliced shallots, green onions, lemongrass, lime leaves, and the fresh and dry red chili flakes. Mix well.
- 4
– Mix in tamari or vegan fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar, toss well then give it a taste test. Adjust with more of each seasoning and the heat level as needed.
- 5
. Add the mint and toasted rice powder last, mix once more and your vegan larb tofu is ready to serve!