Beef Larb with Roasted Peanuts

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A traditional Lao minced beef salad with spicy kick, featuring roasted peanuts for crunch and fresh herbs. This asian-inspired salads ready in about 30 minutes pairs Ground beef, Lime juice, Fish sauce into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Asian cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Whisk 2 tbsp lime juice, 2 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp palm sugar, and 2 minced garlic cloves in a small bowl until sugar dissolves.
  2. Step 2: Heat a skillet over medium heat; add 12 oz ground beef and cook, breaking it up, for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through.
  3. Step 3: Remove skillet from heat; stir in lime juice mixture, then add 2 finely chopped chilies and 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion. Mix well.
  4. Step 4: Transfer beef mixture to a bowl and let cool slightly. Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint, and 1/4 cup roasted peanuts.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Beef Larb with Roasted Peanuts take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (20 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Beef Larb with Roasted Peanuts?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Beef Larb with Roasted Peanuts?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Beef Larb with Roasted Peanuts for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Beef Larb with Roasted Peanuts?

Asian salads like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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