Minced Pork Salad with Lime and Fresh Herbs
A vibrant Lao-inspired salad featuring finely minced pork, zesty lime, and a medley of fresh herbs for bright, aromatic flavor. This asian-inspired salads ready in about 15 minutes pairs ounces lean ground pork, fresh cilantro, fresh mint leaves 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 285 calories and feeds 2, 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.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces lean ground pork
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons roasted peanuts
- 1/4 cup shallot
- 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Finely chop 1/4 cup fresh cilantro and 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, then combine with 8 ounces lean ground pork in a bowl.
- Step 2: Add 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1 tablespoon fish sauce, 1/4 cup chopped shallot, and 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes to the pork mixture, mixing until evenly distributed.
- Step 3: Chill the mixture for 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld, then garnish with 2 tablespoons crushed roasted peanuts before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Minced Pork Salad with Lime and Fresh Herbs take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (15 min prep + 0 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 Minced Pork Salad with Lime and Fresh Herbs?
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 ounces lean ground pork from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Minced Pork Salad with Lime and Fresh Herbs?
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 Minced Pork Salad with Lime and Fresh Herbs for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Minced Pork Salad with Lime and Fresh Herbs?
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Love how the Asian come through in every bite.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
