Spicy Lao Beef Laap Salad with Toasted Rice Powder

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant minced beef salad tossed with fresh herbs, lime, and toasted rice powder for a signature Lao flavor with a spicy kick. This asian-inspired beef ready in about 30 minutes pairs ground beef, toasted sticky rice, medium shallots, thinly sliced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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: 20 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Asian cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 lb ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and cooked through for about 5-7 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Meanwhile, toast 1/4 cup sticky rice in a dry pan over medium heat, stirring constantly for 4-5 minutes until golden brown and fragrant. Transfer to a mortar and pestle or spice grinder and grind to a coarse powder.
  3. Step 3: Once beef is cooked, remove from heat and let it cool slightly for 5 minutes.
  4. Step 4: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ground beef, 3 thinly sliced shallots, 1/2 cup chopped fresh mint leaves, 1/2 cup chopped cilantro leaves, and 3 sliced green onions.
  5. Step 5: Add 3 tbsp lime juice, 2 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tsp dried chili flakes, 3 tbsp ground toasted sticky rice powder, and 1/4 cup water to the bowl. Toss everything thoroughly until the salad is evenly coated and fragrant.
  6. Step 6: Serve the spicy Lao beef laap salad immediately with fresh lettuce leaves or cabbage for wrapping.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spicy Lao Beef Laap Salad with Toasted Rice Powder 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 Spicy Lao Beef Laap 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 beef from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Lao Beef Laap 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 Spicy Lao Beef Laap 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 Spicy Lao Beef Laap Salad 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.

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