Laotian Crispy Rice Salad with Herb and Pork
A refreshing Laotian salad combining crispy rice, minced pork, fresh herbs, and tangy lime dressing for a bright, crunchy dish. This asian-inspired pork ready in about 30 minutes pairs uncooked jasmine rice, vegetable oil, ground pork 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 cup uncooked jasmine rice
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 8 oz ground pork
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 1 minced shallot
- 3 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/4 cup chopped mint leaves
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves
- 2 sliced green onion
- 1 tsp dried chili flakes
- 1/4 cup chopped roasted peanuts
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup uncooked jasmine rice and cook it in a rice cooker or pot until fully done. Spread the cooked rice thinly on a baking sheet and let it dry uncovered overnight or for 6 hours until crisp.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add 8 oz ground pork, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 minced shallot; cook for 5-6 minutes until pork is browned and fragrant.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp lime juice, 2 tbsp fish sauce, and 1 tsp sugar until sugar dissolves.
- Step 4: Break the crispy rice into bite-sized pieces and place in a large mixing bowl. Add the cooked pork mixture, 1/4 cup chopped mint leaves, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves, 2 sliced green onions, and 1 tsp dried chili flakes.
- Step 5: Pour the lime-fish sauce dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine all ingredients evenly. Sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped roasted peanuts on top before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Laotian Crispy Rice Salad with Herb and Pork 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 Laotian Crispy Rice Salad with Herb and Pork?
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 uncooked jasmine rice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Laotian Crispy Rice Salad with Herb and Pork?
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 Laotian Crispy Rice Salad with Herb and Pork 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 Laotian Crispy Rice Salad with Herb and Pork?
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.
