There are a few things that you need to know about this thai lettuce wraps recipe with ground pork (aka larb recipe): FAST + FLAVORFUL. The ground pork lettuce wraps feature loads of fresh flavor (lemongrass, garlic, shallot, herbs) along with the bright crunch of fresh veggies and herbs. These thai pork lettuce wraps taste so good that you’ll never believe that they could come together in 15 minutes…but they do!
You know me, I’m always looking for ground meat recipes as they help dinners get on the table quickly. This thai ground pork recipe is a staple in my weeknight dinner club! And if you love a lettuce wrap, be sure to try my chicken lettuce wraps with peanut sauce or quickie ground turkey lettuce wraps next time.
How to Make Thai Lettuce Wraps
This easy pork lettuce wraps recipe is ready in 15 minutes, and has just a few steps:
- Saute ground pork with salt, shallots, lemongrass, chili, and garlic. Cook, breaking up meat, until no longer pink, about 5-6 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make lime juice sauce. Whisk together lime juice, fish sauce, honey, and sriracha in a small bowl.
- Prep veggies: Wash and dry lettuce leaves.
Cut cucumber and pepper into matchsticks. Tear fresh herbs of stems. Chop if desired, but can leave whole. - Serve meat in lettuce cups. Top with lime sauce, cucumbers, red peppers, and fresh herbs. Serve with baked spring rolls for a full meal.
What are Thai Lettuce Wraps Called?
These thai ground pork lettuce wraps go by a few other names. Spicy pork lettuce wraps, ground pork lettuce wraps, or…
Pork larb recipe is another common name, which is actually the “unofficial” dish of Laos, but popular in regions of Thailand where there are many Laotians.
But this easy larb recipe is missing an essential larb ingredient: toasted rice that’s ground into a powder. It adds great flavor and texture, but it’s just too clunky for a weeknight dinner.
And, because I take plenty of shortcuts (and don’t feel bad about it!) I always feel that it’s necessary to call out that this is not necessarily an authentic thai ground pork salad, but it’s inspired by the real version! We took a (sort of) honeymoon trip to Thailand (AMAZING BTW) and had larb salads by the pool literally every day because they were so insanely good.
I love creating ethnic dishes, while full knowing that they are not authentic recipes. They are inspired by authentic flavors, but made easy for home cooks without any special or crazy ingredients.
How to Eat Larb
In this version of thai lettuce wraps, we’re stuffing thai ground pork into lettuce leaves for thai pork lettuce wraps. It’s the kind of wrap that will leave you with juices streaming down your arms…but it’s so damn good that you don’t even care.
Pass the napkins, you’ll need it for this larb recipe!
What to Serve with Thai Lettuce Wraps
In the spirit of easy weeknight dinners, I love to serve these thai pork lettuce wraps with frozen spring rolls that just need a quick bake in the oven.
You could also serve the thai pork wraps with rice to bulk it up a bit, or potstickers or egg rolls. Call it what you want, I call it fusion. 😉
More Ground Pork Recipes:
I’m a huge fan of ground meats for weeknight dinners. Why? Because they cook SO fast!
- Ground Pork Stir Fry – This quick spinach and ground pork stir fry is served over rice with a homemade peanut sauce. SO much flavor. Perfect for making ahead, too.
- Easy Homemade Chili – This quick recipe utilizes ground beef, but you could swap it out for ground pork, or do a blend of both! (Also made with a secret shortcut ingredient that adds massive flavor so that your chili doesn’t have to simmer for hours!)
- Easy Udon Noodle Stir Fry – If you want a noodle meal that tastes like takeout, this is it! One of my husband’s favorite meals.
Pin this Thai Lettuce Wraps Recipe for later!
Thai Pork Lettuce Wraps (Larb Recipe)
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stir Fry
- Cuisine: Thai
Description
This thai lettuce wraps recipe (larb recipe) is SO full of flavor + ready in just 15 minutes! Ground pork lettuce wraps are a FRESH + HEALTHY family meal.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. ground pork
- 1 tsp. sea salt
- 2 shallots, sliced
- 2 Tbsp. lemongrass, sliced
- 1 small Thai chili (or jalapeno)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 4 Tbsp. lime juice (from one lime)
- 2 tsp. fish sauce
- 2 tsp. honey
- 1 tsp. sriracha or chili garlic sauce (more to taste)
- 1 head bibb or butter lettuce
- 1 small cucumber
- 1 red pepper
- fresh mint, chopped
- fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground pork, salt, shallots, lemongrass, chili, and garlic to pan. Cook, breaking up meat, until no longer pink, about 5-6 minutes.
- Meanwhile, stir together lime juice, fish sauce, honey, and sriracha in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Wash and dry lettuce leaves.
- Cut cucumber and pepper into matchsticks. Tear fresh herbs of stems. Chop if desired, but can leave whole.
- Serve meat in lettuce cups. Top with lime sauce, cucumbers, red peppers, and fresh herbs.
Notes
- Get your kids involved! They can: wash lettuce and vegetables, mix together lime juice sauce, arrange the lettuce leaves, cucumber, pepper, and herbs on a platter.
- Short cut: Use frozen garlic cubes and tube of lemongrass. (Lemongrass tubes are usually found near the fresh herbs.)
Keywords: thai lettuce wraps recipe
Chelsea Ward
I love the herbs and spices you use. Your recipes always have such kick! Pork tends to intimidate me (I tend to overcook it), but this looks like a really easy-to-do recipe. Lovely presentation, too!
Chelsea Ward
I love the herbs and spices you use. Your recipes always have such kick! Pork tends to intimidate me (I tend to overcook it), but this looks like a really easy-to-do recipe. Lovely presentation, too!
Molly
yum! I love any kind of lettuce wrap. These look SO good!
Molly
yum! I love any kind of lettuce wrap. These look SO good!
Lynn at The Actors Diet
beautiful! have a great holiday!
Lynn at The Actors Diet
beautiful! have a great holiday!
tut
I WILL make these SOON!
tut
I WILL make these SOON!
MJ
I want the tester’s review of these? Kels and I need something good to make, please give us a quick how to recipe and we will let you know how it goes.
anutritionisteats
Taster says: Good stuff, good stuff. Let me know if you try it out!
MJ
I want the tester’s review of these? Kels and I need something good to make, please give us a quick how to recipe and we will let you know how it goes.
anutritionisteats
Taster says: Good stuff, good stuff. Let me know if you try it out!
Lori
These sound so great! Good idea to turn the salad into wraps. I’m looking forward to enjoying some lighter food like this in the New Year. The holidays can be so heavy when it comes to food selection. 🙂
Lori
These sound so great! Good idea to turn the salad into wraps. I’m looking forward to enjoying some lighter food like this in the New Year. The holidays can be so heavy when it comes to food selection. 🙂
Thai Online Shop
Solid post full of useful tips! My site is fairly new and I am having a baffling time getting my readers to leave comments. They are coming to the site but I have the impression that “nobody wants to be first”.
Thai Online Shop
Solid post full of useful tips! My site is fairly new and I am having a baffling time getting my readers to leave comments. They are coming to the site but I have the impression that “nobody wants to be first”.
Krista
This is a family favorite! A dear friend made this for me after I had my first baby and we haven’t stopped making it. It’s so fresh and flavorful! A MUST TRY!
Emily
So perfect for summer meals! Thanks, Krista!