Description
This traditional Thai pork salad brings together fresh ingredients to create a vibrant, healthy salad perfect for any meal. Every bite has a balance of spicy, tangy, and savory flavors.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoons (3 large) fresh garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, chopped or grated
- 1/2 cup, small shallot, thinly sliced. Divided. Use a small red onion as a substitute if shallots are not available.
- 1 pound ground pork
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce.
- 2 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice. Lemon juice could work, but for a zesty taste, lime juice is best.
- 1/4 cup water or stock for adding to the ground meat to prevent dryness
- 1/3 cup shredded carrot
- 2-3 Thai chili peppers or to taste. Use fresh Thai red or green chili peppers or red serranos for added heat! Chopped them small to control the heat in each bite. Find these at most Asian markets. Bell peppers are fine if you can't handle spice.
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro or culantro leaves for seasoning. Culantro is also called saw tooth herbs
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
- ½ cup unsalted peanuts, chopped. Save a handful for sprinkling as garnishes.
- Lettuce leaves (romaine or butter lettuce works well)
- Optional or put on the side: Red pepper flakes, to taste, and small lime wedges.
- Ground white pepper to taste.
Instructions
1. Heat a large pan, skillet, or wok over medium heat. Sauteed the chopped garlic clove, ginger, and half of the sliced shallot in oil until fragrant. Add the ground pork and cook until browned, breaking it into smaller pieces as it cooks. Leave the excess fat for extra flavors!
2. Add the water, lime juice, and fish sauce after the pork is close to being done (4-5 minutes of cooking time). Stir well.
3. Add the shredded carrot, green or red peppers, the rest of the shallot, and ground white pepper. Toss well. Turn the heat off and let it cool slightly while you prepare your platter.
4. Before assembling the wraps, add the fresh mint, cilantro, culantro, and peanuts to the pork mixture.
5. Assemble the Wraps next. Lay out the lettuce leaves on a serving platter. Spoon the pork mixture into each lettuce cup. If you love spicy food, top off with a sprinkle of chili flakes!
6. Top each wrap with fresh cilantro leaves, chopped fresh chili, and red pepper flakes. Serve with lime wedges on the side.
Notes
- Use Fresh Ingredients. Fresh lime juice, ginger, and herbs make a big difference in flavor.
- You can use any leafy greens of your choice! Romaine lettuce, radicchio, cabbage, butter, spinach, and napa cabbage.
- Adjust the Heat: Add fresh chili or red pepper flakes if you like it spicier.
- Prep Ahead: You can prepare the pork mixture in advance and assemble the wraps just before serving.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 15
- Category: salad
- Method: stovetop
- Cuisine: thai