Easy Enoki Mushroom Larb Recipe (Laab Hed)
Enoki mushroom larb recipe is THE BEST easy Thai salad you’ll ever make! With a spicy and sour dressing, this plant-based dish is perfect for a quick dinner or a healthy lunch.
Hungry for more? Check out my authentic Thai pork larb, easy larb gai salad, rich larb ped recipe, and crispy fried chicken larb!
What is mushroom larb
Mushroom larb is a healthy twist on the classic Thai ground meat salad. Packed with tangy and spicy notes from herbs, lime, and fish sauce, it can be made with various mushrooms like enoki, button, oyster, or shiitake for a light, low-carb meal.
Enoki mushroom larb
Lao and Northeastern Thailand’s Isan region is where larb salads are a staple. My spicy mushroom larb salad is a unique version, with a blend of tradition and mushrooms.
Thai and Lao cuisines both have lots of meat salad variations, from pork and duck to even raw beef. This version combines meat and plant-based.
Good to know: vegetarians can simply omit the pork.
Believe me, it’s not just any Asian mushroom salad. It’s the best one I’ve ever had!
It’s a mix of age-old tradition and some tasty enoki mushrooms.
With a combination of saucy, spicy, tangy, and earthy in one bite, no one can resist this Thai salad.
The chewy texture of the enoki mushrooms and their mild taste perfectly complement the dressing. So easy and so good!
Adapting to vegetarian larb
I made this larb recipe with a combination of some tasty pork and enoki mushrooms.
If you’re a vegetarian, you can just omit the pork.
It’s that easy, this recipe is super adaptable! And going vegetarian doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor.
Tips for adapting to vegetarian salad
- Double up on the mushrooms. If you’re omitting the pork, you can simply double up on the mushrooms for more texture and flavor.
- Switch up the mushrooms. Feel free to switch out the enoki for shiitake mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, or other Asian mushrooms. For extra flavor, roast the mushrooms.
- Use a vegan fish sauce.
- Add extra protein. You can simply add tofu or tempeh for extra nutrition.
- Taste test. The pork adds its own flavor, so you may want to taste test and adjust seasonings if needed before serving.
Ingredients
Ingredients can be sourced at Asian grocery stores and Asian markets.
The exact measurements are in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Minced pork – Pork is the classic larb base, but feel free to switch it up with other protein like chicken or beef.
- Enoki mushrooms – These slender mushrooms bring a crunch and a chew, it’s a texture that goes great with the other ingredients.
- Fish sauce – Look for a high quality fish sauce like the red boat brand. For plant-based salad lovers, a vegan fish sauce can be found at Asian grocery stores.
- Toasted rice powder – Toasted rice powder brings a nutty aroma and a depth of flavor. You can make it yourself or get it at specialized Asian supermarkets. Toasted rice powder or khao kua is made by toasting raw glutinous rice until golden, then grinding it into a coarse powder.
- Thai chili flakes – Not a fan of spicy food? No problem. Just reduce the amount of chili flakes or omit them entirely. To make it spicier, toss in extra chili flakes or pounded fresh chilies.
- White sugar – A touch of sweetness is needed to round out the bold, spicy flavors.
- Coriander, mint, culantro – Culantro can be substituted for cilantro. Don’t skip the herbs, they add freshness to larb.
- Lime, shallots – Fresh is best, avoid bottled lime juice. The shallots bring a subtle sweetness.
Short recipe video
How to make Thai mushroom salad
Cooking this dish is easy. First, we’ll cook the pork and enoki mushrooms. Then, it’s as easy as tossing everything into a big bowl and giving it a good mix.
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Cook enoki mushrooms
Cut off the roots of the mushrooms and rinse them under running cold water. Boil the enoki mushrooms in a pan or pot for just 1–2 minutes. They should get a bit tender, but still keep their bite. Once done, drain them in a sieve.
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Cook pork
Cook the ground pork until it’s fully done, then toss it into the same sieve to let it drain.
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Toss the enoki salad
In a big mixing bowl, toss all ingredients. Toss the pork, mushrooms, fish sauce, sugar, toasted rice powder, red chili flakes, all the herbs, shallots, and squeeze in fresh lime juice. Gently mix, and serve immediately.
Kitchen tools
- Cutting board & chef’s knife
- Measuring spoons & cups
- Large mixing bowl
- Sieve or colander: For draining.
- Pot or pan: For boiling the pork and mushrooms.
How to serve enoki salad
In Isan, we pair most of our salads with some sticky rice. Additionally, you can add fresh vegetables like some thinly sliced cucumber of Thai eggplants.
Optional side dishes
To serve with other Thai food, try one of these recipes:
How to store laab hed
Store the leftovers of this enoki mushroom larb recipe in an airtight container. Keep leftover laab hed in the fridge, and your salad will stay fresh for about 2–3 days.
Note: The longer it sits, the more soggy the enoki will be. I recommend eating everything in one go.
Frequently asked questions
How to eat larb?
Traditionally, larb is eaten with a side of sticky rice and sometimes steamed jasmine rice. You can wrap the larb in fresh lettuce or cabbage leaves for a twist. Spoon the larb into the leaf, roll it up, and eat it for a low-carb bite.
Can I roast the mushrooms?
You can roast the mushrooms in your oven instead of steaming them like I did in this recipe. Roast until golden, but don’t flavor them, the flavor in this salad comes from the seasonings.
What does this mushroom salad taste like?
Expect a savory, refreshing, and tangy taste. The mushrooms add a unique crunch that you won’t find in any other kind of larb salads.
Where to buy enoki mushrooms?
You can buy enoki mushrooms at most Asian grocery stores and at well-stocked supermarkets in the fresh produce section. Alternatively, you can find them online at retailers that specialize in Asian ingredients.
What are enoki mushrooms?
Enoki mushrooms are small, long-stemmed fungi known for their mild flavor and crunchy texture. Commonly used in Southeast Asian cuisines, they go great in soups, salads, and stir-fries.
More Thai vegetarian recipes you’ll love
- Thai cucumber salad for satay
- Thai basil recipe vegetarian
- Thai fried bananas recipe
- Thai pomelo salad
- Khanom tom
If you love this easy enoki mushroom larb recipe, please make my day by leaving a star rating and/or a comment below!
Easy Enoki Mushroom Larb Recipe (Laab Hed)
Ingredients
- 10.5 ounces enoki mushrooms
- 4.25 ounces pork minced
- 3 shallots cut into thin slices
- 8 leaves of culantro
- 1/4 cup coriander
- 1 tablespoon toasted rice powder
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes to taste
- 1/2 lime
- 1 teaspoon white sugar
- 1.5 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1/4 cup mint
Instructions
- Cut off the roots of the mushrooms and rinse them under running cold water. Boil the enoki mushrooms in a pan or pot for just 1–2 minutes. They should get a bit tender, but still keep their bite. Once done, drain them in a sieve.
- Cook the ground pork until it's fully done, then toss it into the same sieve to let it drain.
- In a big mixing bowl, toss all ingredients. Toss the pork, mushrooms, fish sauce, sugar, toasted rice powder, red chili flakes, all the herbs, shallots, and squeeze in fresh lime juice. Gently mix, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use the nutrition card in this recipe as a guideline.
- Don't overcook the pork.
- Adjust the red chili flakes to your spice level.
- Serve on its own, or pair with sticky rice or other side-dishes.
- You can make toasted rice powder yourself, or get it at an Asian grocery store.
