🇹🇭 Thailand · Food
Spicy Minced Pork Salad
By eatmundo · August 3, 2026
🇹🇭 THA vibrant and zesty salad from the Isan region featuring succulent pork tossed with aromatic herbs and a tangy dressing. It balances spice, sourness, and saltiness in every single bite.
Ingredients
check them off as you prepareHow to Make It
- 1
Place 500g of minced pork in a wok with 2 tablespoons of water over medium heat and stir until fully cooked, about 5 minutes.
- 2
Once the pork is cooked, remove it from the heat and transfer to a large mixing bowl to cool slightly.
- 3
Finely slice 50g of shallots and 40g of ginger into matchsticks to ensure even texture throughout the salad.
- 4
Add the shallots, ginger, 30g of dried shrimp, and 10g of chopped bird's eye chilies to the pork bowl.
- 5
In a small bowl, whisk together 60ml of lime juice and 45ml of fish sauce until the saltiness dissolves into the citrus.
- 6
Pour the dressing over the pork mixture and toss gently with a large spoon to combine all the vibrant flavors.
- 7
Add 50g of roasted peanuts to provide a delightful crunch and extra nutty depth to the dish.
- 8
Serve immediately while the pork is warm to enjoy the full complexity of the aromatic herbs and lime juice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I replace dried shrimp?+
You can omit them, but they add a necessary savory umami depth characteristic of Isan cooking.
How spicy should this be?+
Adjust the bird's eye chilies to your preference, starting with one or two for mild heat.
Is this served hot or cold?+
It is traditionally served at room temperature or slightly warm, never chilled.
What should I serve this with?+
It pairs beautifully with warm sticky rice and raw cabbage wedges to temper the heat.
