Thai Lettuce Wraps (Larb Gai, Laab Gai)
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5.0
198 reviews
Excellent
Thai Lettuce Wraps (Larb Gai, Laab Gai)
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Recipe video above. This is a really authentic recipe for Thai Lettuce Wraps (Larb Gai). It is super fast to make, incredibly fresh but full of fragrance and a hit of spice.
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Ingredients
- 2 tsp cornflour / cornstarch OR 2 tbsp uncooked rice (any rice is fine) (Note 1)
- 3 tbsp water
- 2 1/2 tbsp lime juice (1 to 2 limes)
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 2 tsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp peanut oil (or other high smoke point cooking oil)
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger , grated or very finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves , large, minced
- 1 lemon grass stalk , white and very pale green part only, finely chopped (Note 2)
- 2 Thai or birds eye chilli , deseeded and finely chopped (adjust to taste)
- 1 lb / 500g chicken mince (ground chicken) OR pork
- 1/2 red onion , cut into 4 wedges then finely sliced
- 1/3 cup coriander/cilantro leaves , plus extra to garnish
- 1/3 cup mint leaves , plus extra to garnish
Serving
- 3 tbsp crushed peanuts (optional)
- 6 small to medium lettuce leaves (I used baby cos / romaine) (Note 3)
- Extra lime wedges, chilli
Instructions
- Sauce: Place water and cornflour OR rice powder into a small bowl. Mix into a slurry. Add lime juice, fish sauce and sugar and mix to combine. Set aside.
- Heat peanut oil in a wok (or heavy based fry pan) over medium high heat. Add ginger, garlic, lemongrass and chilli and sauté for 45 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant. Do not let the garlic burn, it will taste bitter.
- Add the chicken and turn up the heat to high. Cook the chicken, breaking up the mince into small pieces.
- Once the chicken turns white and is almost cooked through (about 3 to 4 minutes), add Sauce. Cook for 45 seconds to 1 minute to coat the chicken and for the sauce to thicken.
- Remove wok from heat. Stir through onion, coriander/cilantro and mint.
- Spoon filling into a bowl, and serve with lettuce, peanuts, extra herbs and lime wedges on the side - leave everyone to make their own. Spoon filling into lettuce cups and garnish with what you want!
- Sauce option: Take it over the top by serving with Thai Peanut Satay Sauce, as pictured in the first photo in post! It's extra amazing (though not traditional!)
Notes
- Sauce thickener - The traditional way in Thailand to thicken sauces is to toast then grind rice. A quicker way to do this is to use cornstarch / cornflour which is what I typically use.
- Traditional ground rice: Heat a wok (or heavy based fry pan) over high heat. Add the rice and dry cook for 5 minutes until it turns dark golden brown. Remove into a mortar and pestle and ground into powder. Use in place of cornflour in recipe.
- Lemongrass - use fresh or paste. If using paste, add it with the chicken and use 1 tbsp.
- For fresh, poeel the stringy, tough, outside layers off the lemongrass and just use the bottom 7 - 10cm / 3 to 4" of he lemongrass.
- Lettuce - soft or crisp works fine, don't get too hung up on lettuce shape / type. For crisp, look for leaves that have a natural cup shape. If lettuce is soft, it's perfect for bundling up into rolls!
- Source: Adapted from a recipe by Chew Town and with reference to various Thai cooking books.
- Nutrition assumes 3 servings as a light main.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Serving
238g
Calories
351cal
(18%)
Carbohydrates
13g
(4%)
Protein
28g
(56%)
Fat
21.4g
(33%)
Saturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Trans Fat
0.1g
Cholesterol
130mg
(43%)
Sodium
559mg
(23%)
Potassium
921mg
(26%)
Fiber
1.9g
(8%)
Sugar
2.4g
(5%)
Vitamin A
400IU
(8%)
Vitamin C
13.2mg
(15%)
Calcium
50mg
(5%)
Iron
3.1mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 2- 3
Amount Per Serving
Calories 351 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 238g | |
| Calories | 351cal | 18% |
| Carbohydrates | 13g | 4% |
| Protein | 28g | 56% |
| Fat | 21.4g | 33% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Trans Fat | 0.1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 130mg | 43% |
| Sodium | 559mg | 23% |
| Potassium | 921mg | 20% |
| Fiber | 1.9g | 8% |
| Sugar | 2.4g | 5% |
| Vitamin A | 400IU | 8% |
| Vitamin C | 13.2mg | 15% |
| Calcium | 50mg | 5% |
| Iron | 3.1mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
198 reviews
Excellent
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