A Refreshing Vegan Recipe for Summer Evenings
When the weather is warmer and you’re craving a lighter dinner that’s still full of flavour, this Thai Larb Bowl is the perfect vegan recipe for you. With its vibrant mix of fresh herbs, zesty lime, and a hint of heat from the chilli, it’s a refreshing meal that’s both fresh and satisfying. This dish is easy to prepare and full of the classic aromatic flavours of Thai cuisine.
Ingredients:
For the Thai Larb Mince
- glug of oil
- 2 cloves of garlic, diced
- 1 small white onion, diced
- 1 stick of lemongrass, thinly sliced
- 1/2 a red chilli, diced
- pinch of salt & pepper
- 1 pack of mince
- 1 tbsp white sugar
- 2 tbsp light soy sauce
- small handful of mint, chopped
- small handful of Thai basil, chopped
- 1/2 of a lime, juiced
- 4 radishes, sliced into half-moons
For the Mango Salsa
- 1 mango, cubed
- 1/4 red onion, diced
- small handful of mint, roughly chopped
- 1/4 lime juice
- pinch of salt
For the Rest of the Bowl
- 1 little gem lettuce, shredded
- 1/2 a cucumber, sliced into half-moons
- 240g jasmine rice
- pink pickled onion
- 1/4 lime for serving
Thai Larb Mince
The core of this dish is the Thai Larb Mince, a savoury mince based vegan recipe that comes together quickly and packs a punch of flavour. Start by heating a glug of oil in a pan, then add diced garlic and a small white onion. Cook until they’re soft and fragrant. Next, add thinly sliced lemongrass and half a diced red chilli, letting their aromas infuse the oil and season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
Add your preferred plant-based mince (meatless farm co works wonderfully here) to the pan, cooking until it’s browned. Sprinkle in a tablespoon of white sugar and two tablespoons of light soy sauce, stirring to combine. Finish with a handful of chopped mint and Thai basil, the juice of half a lime, and a few radishes sliced into half-moons. This creates a flavorful and aromatic filling that’s the perfect base for your Thai Larb Bowl.
Mango Salsa
To balance the savoury mince, a sweet and tangy mango salsa is ideal. Combine cubed mango, a quarter of a diced red onion, and a handful of roughly chopped mint in a bowl. Squeeze in the juice of a quarter of a lime and add a pinch of salt. This salsa adds freshness and a hint of sweetness that beautifully complements the spicy larb mince.
Assembling the Bowl
To assemble your Thai Larb Bowl, start with a base of jasmine rice, shredded little gem lettuce and cucumber slices cut into half-moons for added crunch. Top with the deliciously fragrant vegan Thai Larb Mince. Add a generous helping of mango salsa, a few optional pieces of pink pickled onion for a tangy kick, and squeeze a quarter of a lime for an extra squeeze of citrus.
This dish is a delightful mixture of textures and flavours – the crisp fresh lettuce and cucumber complement the savoury aromatic mince, and the sweet and tangy mango salsa all come together to create a meal that’s both refreshing and satisfying. Perfect for a summer evening, or any evening really, this Thai Larb Bowl is sure to become a favourite in your house. Enjoy the vibrant flavours and the ease of preparation that make this dish a standout.
Traditionally made with minced meat, fresh herbs, lime juice, and fish sauce, it is often served with sticky rice and raw vegetables. This dish is credited to be from Laos and is not only a staple in Thai cuisine but also holds cultural significance, often seen as a lucky dish that’s featured in festive gatherings and communal meals. While this Thai Larb Bowl recipe may not be 100% authentic, our veganised version of this classic draws inspiration from the traditional flavours of Thai Larb, capturing the essence of its aromatic herbs, tangy lime, and savoury ingredients. Our vegan Thai larb is a delightful and approachable recipe that’s at home at any weeknight dinner table.
Watch us make this step by step:
Easy Vegan Thai Larb
Ingredients
For the Thai Larb Mince
- 1 glug of oil
- 2 cloves garlic diced
- 1 small white onion diced
- 1 stick of lemongrass thinly sliced
- 1/2 red chilli diced
- 1 pinch salt & pepper
- 1 pack of mince 450g
- 1 tbsp white sugar
- 2 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 small handful of mint chopped
- 1 small handful of Thai basil chopped
- 1/2 lime juiced
- 4 radishes sliced into half-moons
For the Mango Salsa
- 1 mango cubed
- 1/4 red onion diced
- 1 small handful of mint roughly chopped
- 1/4 lime juice
- 1 pinch salt
For the Rest of the Bowl
- 1 little gem lettuce shredded
- 1/2 cucumber sliced into half-moons
- 240 g jasmine rice
- 1 pinch pink pickled onion optional
- 1/4 lime juiced, for serving
Method
Mango Salsa
- Start with making up the mango salsa. (This element could be made in advance and stored in the fridge in an airtight container to save time.) Simply add all the ingredients (mango, red onion, mint, lime juice and salt) into a small bowl and mix together. Set to one side.
Jasmine Rice
- Now is a great time to begin cooking the Jasmin rice to the packet's instructions. If at any point during the next steps of cooking it becomes ready, simply cover to keep warm and set to one side until you're ready to plate up.
Vegan Thai Larb
- Begin the Thai Larb by heating the oil in a large frying pan and adding in the garlic, white onion, lemon grass and red chilli with a pinch of salt and pepper. Fry for 5 minutes on a medium heat, until the onion is softened and the garlic and lemongrass are aromatic.
- Next, crumble in the mince and cook for a further 10-15 minutes (depending on the brand) until browned and cooked. Season with a soy sauce and sugar.
- Transfer to a heatproof bowl and mix in the remaining Thai Larb ingredients: mint, Thai basil, lime juice and radish.
Plating Up
- Finally, now is the time to plate up. Starting with a serving of the jasmine rice, and top with some cucumber half moons and shredded lettuce. Add on the Thai larb (best served warm but delicious cold too). And to finish it off, top with the mango salsa, red pickled onion and a squeeze of lime.
If you enjoyed this easy vegan recipe, why not try:
- Easy Tray Bake Recipe – Miso Red Cabbage, Beetroot & Black Beans
- Sweet, Sticky Ginger Tofu Recipe
- Sizzling Spicy Sesame Oil Noodle Recipe – 15 Minute Meal
Want to know more about Thai Larb/Laab? Check out this wikapedia article and this authentic recipe (not vegan)