Grilled Laotian Minced Pork Salad with Toasted Rice Powder

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

A flavorful and spicy minced pork salad featuring charred pork, fresh herbs, and crunchy toasted rice powder for authentic Lao taste. This asian-inspired pork ready in about 30 minutes pairs ground pork, fish sauce, lime juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Asian cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb ground pork, breaking it apart, and cook for 7-8 minutes until browned and cooked through with some charred bits.
  2. Step 2: In a small dry pan over medium heat, toast 1 cup cooked sticky rice, stirring constantly for 5 minutes until golden brown and fragrant. Let cool, then grind into coarse powder using a mortar and pestle or spice grinder to yield 2 tbsp toasted rice powder.
  3. Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pork, 3 tbsp fish sauce, 2 tbsp lime juice, 2 tbsp toasted rice powder, 3 thinly sliced shallots, 1/4 cup chopped mint, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, 2 sliced green onions, and 1 tsp red chili flakes. Toss gently until well mixed and fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Taste and adjust seasoning with additional fish sauce or lime juice if desired. Serve immediately as a refreshing salad or with sticky rice on the side.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Laotian Minced Pork Salad with Toasted Rice Powder take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 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 Grilled Laotian Minced Pork Salad with Toasted Rice Powder?

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 pork from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Laotian Minced Pork Salad with Toasted Rice Powder?

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 Grilled Laotian Minced Pork Salad with Toasted Rice Powder 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 Grilled Laotian Minced Pork Salad with Toasted Rice Powder?

Asian pork 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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