Lao-Style Beef Laap with Toasted Rice Powder
A fragrant minced beef salad tossed in lime, fish sauce, and fresh herbs with toasted rice powder for a crunchy, savory bite. This asian-inspired beef ready in about 25 minutes pairs ground beef, ground to powder toasted sticky rice, fish sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 3 tbsp, ground to powder toasted sticky rice
- 3 tbsp fish sauce
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 2 small, thinly sliced shallots
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh mint leaves
- 1/4 cup, chopped cilantro leaves
- 3, chopped green onions
- 1 tsp dried chili flakes
- for serving cooked jasmine rice
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook 1 lb ground beef for 6-8 minutes, stirring and breaking up lumps, until browned and cooked through. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Step 2: In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast 3 tbsp sticky rice, stirring frequently for 3-5 minutes until golden brown and fragrant. Transfer to a mortar and pestle or spice grinder and grind to a coarse powder.
- Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ground beef with 3 tbsp fish sauce, 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, 1 tsp dried chili flakes, 2 thinly sliced shallots, 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves, 3 chopped green onions, and the toasted rice powder. Toss gently to combine all flavors.
- Step 4: Taste and adjust seasoning with more fish sauce or lime juice if desired.
- Step 5: Serve the beef laap immediately with steamed jasmine rice and fresh vegetables for a bright, savory Lao salad.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lao-Style Beef Laap with Toasted Rice Powder take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (15 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 Lao-Style Beef Laap 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 beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Lao-Style Beef Laap 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 Lao-Style Beef Laap 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 Lao-Style Beef Laap with Toasted Rice Powder?
Asian beef 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.
