Laab (it is not laRb, no rolling of the r!) is the perfect way to use up any leftover meat, especially one that's a bit lacking in flavour. Tart, spicy, and fresh; and guaranteed to "fix" any less-than-stellar roast turkey or chicken. Also perfect for using up steak and roast beef as well!
Laab is a very basic Thai salad made with a simple dressing of fish sauce, lime juice and roasted chili flakes. The defining element of a laab (and the most delicious part) is the toasted rice powder, which is easy to make using any kind of white rice, though traditionally it is done with Thai sticky rice. It is not laab without toasted rice powder!
For a true laab you want to have some mint and cilantro, but if you're just trying to make a quick laab using leftovers, throw in any fresh herbs you have on hand. Green onions, dill, oregano or even tarragon would work.
And laab is always gluten-free and dairy-free, bonus!
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This recipe is part of the 4 Ways to Thai Up Your Leftovers article. Be sure to check that post out for 3 other leftover ideas!
All my recipes come with step-by-step video tutorials with extra tips not mentioned in the blog post, so make sure you watch the video below to ensure success! And if you enjoy the show, please consider subscribing to my YouTube channel. Thank you!
Thai Leftover Roast Salad (Laab)
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 1-2 servings
Description
Use up any leftover roast in a Thai laab, a northeastern Thai salad bright with mint and lime juice.
Ingredients
Note: I have provided a small "base" recipe so you can scale up to whatever quantity of leftovers you have. Be sure to scale up all ingredients proportionally; except the chilies, which you just add to taste.
- 1 Tbsp uncooked white rice
- Roughly 150 g leftover meat or vegetables
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce
- 1 Tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp finely chopped palm sugar or light brown sugar
- ¼ - ½ teaspoon dried chili flakes, to taste
- 3 Tbsp finely julienned shallots
- A big handful of mint and any other fresh herbs you have sitting around; cilantro, green onions, and dill are all good options.
- Optional for serving: cucumber, crisp lettuce (if you want to make a wrap), rice or sticky rice
Instructions
- Make toasted rice powder: In a dry saute pan, add the rice and cook over medium high heat, stirring constantly until the rice has a deep brown colour. Remove from heat and grind into a powder in a mortar and pestle or using a coffee grinder.
- For leftover poultry, shred the meat into small strips. If using roast beef, thinly slice into bite-sized pieces. For roast veggies, cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Heat the leftovers up slightly so they are warm or room temp.
- In a mixing bowl, combine fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, chilies and shallots; stir until the sugar is dissolved.
- Add the leftovers, toasted rice powder and fresh herbs, and toss until well combined.
- Serve with cucumber or lettuce (make a lettuce wrap). Add Thai sticky rice for a truly traditional meal.
Tina says
What is the purpose of the rice powder?
Adam The HTK Minion says
Flavour and aroma.