Thai Lettuce Wraps (Larb Gai, Laab Gai)
User Reviews
5
Thai Lettuce Wraps (Larb Gai, Laab Gai)
Description
Thai Lettuce Wraps (Larb Gai, Laab Gai) present a flavorful ground chicken salad distinguished by the use of fresh lime juice, fish sauce, brown sugar, and the fragrant aromatics of lemongrass, ginger, garlic, and Thai chili. The finely chopped meat is quickly cooked in peanut oil, then coated with a sauce thickened by cornstarch or toasted ground rice. The inclusion of fresh herbs like coriander and mint adds brightness and herbal complexity to the dish.
The dish balances the tender, savory meat filling with crisp baby cos or romaine lettuce leaves used as cups, creating textural contrast. Crushed peanuts and lime wedges are served alongside to customize each bite with added crunch and acidity. The spicy elements are adjustable, allowing control over the heat level to suit the eater's preference.
These lettuce wraps work well as a starter or light meal and invite customization at the table. The use of commonly available ingredients apart from lemongrass, which can be substituted with paste if needed, makes the recipe approachable while maintaining traditional Thai flavor profiles.
Using cornstarch offers a quicker sauce-thickening method compared to traditionally toasting and grinding rice, and various lettuces can be used depending on what is on hand. The recipe is adapted from diverse Thai cooking resources, aligning with standard presentations of Larb Gai.
Ingredients
- 2 tsp cornstarch OR 2 tbsp uncooked rice (any rice is fine) (Note 1, or cornflour
- 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 ginger grated or very finely chopped, fresh
- 2 garlic large, minced, cloves
- 1 lemongrass white and very pale green part only, finely chopped (Note 2, stalk
- 2 Thai chili deseeded and finely chopped (adjust to taste, or birds eye chili
- 1 lb / 500g ground chicken ground chicken) OR pork
- 1/2 red onion , cut into 4 wedges then finely sliced
- 1/3 cup Coriander leaves plus extra to garnish, aka cilantro leaves
- 1/3 cup mint plus extra to garnish, leaves
Serving
- 3 tbsp peanuts optional, crushed
- 6 lettuce I used baby cos / romaine) (Note 3, small to medium leaves
- lime extra wedges of lime
- chili extra wedges of lime
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
- Toast and grind rice traditionally to thicken the sauce instead of cornstarch for a more authentic texture.
- If using lemongrass paste, add it with the chicken at about 1 tablespoon instead of fresh lemongrass.
- Use small to medium crisp or soft lettuce leaves; both work well for wrapping the filling.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition 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.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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