Larb Gai Nikki-Style

Name: Larb Gai Nikki-Style
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 2 lemons, juiced; 1 lime, juiced; 2 tablespoons fish sauce, or more to taste; 1 tablespoon rice vinegar; 1 teaspoon white sugar; 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 1 teaspoon lemon zest; 1 pound ground turkey; 1 clove garlic, minced; 1 cup water to cover; ½ red onion, thinly sliced; 1 carrot, shredded; ½ cup coarsely chopped chestnuts; 3 Thai chile peppers, sliced; 3 green onions, sliced; ¼ cup chopped fresh mint; ⅓ cup chopped fresh Thai basil; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro; 3 tablespoons toasted rice powder; 2 tablespoons Thai chile flakes

Rating: 4.75 stars

12 Ratings
10 Reviews
4 Photos

Bad haircuts make me crazy. Literally. I turn into a 3-year-old, crying, sniffling, ranting things like, 'My hair will never grow back!' So, when I met Nikki over a decade ago, I've stuck to her like how Bon Jovi groupies have stuck to the oh so fab Jon. On my recent visit with Nikki, I learned that not only is she an ace stylist, she apparently is the keeper of Thai cooking secrets. I'm usually dozing when Nikki is doing her hair magic… the reason why I didn't know this sooner. Anyway, Nikki shared her mom's ground chicken cooking technique for Larb Gai. Hope you enjoy it.

By yobodish

Gallery

Recipe Summary

prep:

20 mins

cook:

10 mins

additional:

30 mins

total:

1 hr

Servings:

Yield:

4 servings

Nutrition Info

Directions

Step 1
Whisk lemon juice, lime juice, fish sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, cayenne, and lemon zest together in a bowl until dressing is smooth.

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Step 2
Spread ground turkey in a thin layer in a arge skillet; add garlic. Pour enough water into the skillet to cover the turkey; bring to a boil. Cook and stir turkey mixture, breaking the meat apart with a fork, until turkey is browned and crumbly, 7 to 10 minutes. Drain liquid and transfer turkey to a large glass bowl.
Step 3
Mix red onion, carrot, chestnuts, Thai chile peppers, green onions, mint, basil, and cilantro into turkey until well combined. Refrigerate mixture until chilled, about 30 minutes.
Step 4
Sprinkle rice powder and Thai chile flakes over turkey mixture and mix well.

Cook's Notes:

Serve with any type of greens or lettuce... romaine, Boston, endives, arugula, etc. You can even serve it with rice. I prefer brown.

This can be served as an appetizer or tapas-style. Don't forget the lettuce and mung beans on the side.

Boiling the turkey instead of stir frying it keeps it moist and helps the turkey absorb all the beautiful flavors that is Larb Gai.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:

266 calories; protein 24.9g; carbohydrates 21.3g; fat 9.8g; cholesterol 83.6mg; sodium 630.5mg. Full Nutrition

Reviews (10)

Most helpful positive review

Anna in Atlanta

05/29/2020

This was amazing! I've prepared several Larb recipes but this one is the best. I used ground chicken instead of turkey. Read More

Most helpful critical review

Tracie Krenek

09/14/2018

the flavors were delicious & spot on however it was waaay too spicy. next time I will leave out the Thai chiles completely & halve the cayenne pepper in the dressing. Read More

12 Ratings

5 star values: 10
4 star values: 1
3 star values: 1
2 star values: 0
1 star values: 0

Reviews: Most Helpful

Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest

sefd

02/28/2017

super yummy healthy and fresh. I added like 3 additional TBS of sugar and skipped the rice flakes. I also used 2 Anaheim peppers sans the seeds instead of Thai Chiles. Read More

Connie Bulkley Deady

02/08/2021

Good basic mixture. I used pork and added some Thai green chili sauce. Used with lettuce leaves. I didn’t like the dressing, I added some hoisin as it was too acidic. I am putting my leftover meat in a quiche with spinach for lunch tomorrow. Read More

verucalane

06/23/2016

This was really good and very fresh tasting. Served with lettuce cups. Added a little bit more fish sauce a dash of soy and served with Sriracha. Had to sub jicama for water chestnuts and a cubanelle for Thai chilies (what I had on hand). 3 adults no leftovers = success! Thank you. Read More

Karen Koppy

08/18/2016

This is a delicious meal. And a great way to use ground turkey. Low calorie high in flavor!! I'll put just a bit of sesame oil in the dressing next time for more clinging to the salad. Read More

foxyloxyeats

09/27/2017

i made this recipe but i didnt have cayenne pepper carrot the toasted rice basil or mint or parsley (or was it cilantro) and used chicken and coriander instead. it still tastes awfully delicious and i am proud to cook this fave dish of mine as my first foray into thai dishes. Read More

Tracie Krenek

09/14/2018

the flavors were delicious & spot on however it was waaay too spicy. next time I will leave out the Thai chiles completely & halve the cayenne pepper in the dressing. Read More

Anna in Atlanta

05/28/2020

This was amazing! I've prepared several Larb recipes but this one is the best. I used ground chicken instead of turkey. Read More

Sammy Davis

11/22/2020

Holy cow, this was amazing. What I did different was add a lot of Thai chilis (diced) and omit the dried chili flakes. I also could not find toasted rice powder, so I omitted that too. I bought a head of Boston Bibb lettuce and separated and washed all the leaves. We basically made larb lettuce wraps and holy cow, it was something else. Serious high-5 to the OP. This recipe is dynamite. Read More

Soup Loving Nicole

Allstar

04/05/2016

I made two different Larb recipes last night and this one was definitely better hands down. It seems like a lot of ingredients but it is well worth it in the end. We really liked these with all of the different flavors and texture. It is also a recipe that could easily be changed up for what you like or what you have on hand. By the way LOVE the name and the reference to Bon Jovi! You had me at Bon Jovi:) Read More

More Reviews

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All Reviews for Larb Gai Nikki-Style

- of Reviews

Larb Gai Nikki-Style

Servings Per Recipe: 4
Calories: 266.3

% Daily Value *

protein: 50 %

carbohydrates: 7 %

dietary fiber: 11 %

sugars:

fat: 15 %

saturated fat: 12 %

cholesterol: 28 %

vitamin a iu: 110 %

niacin equivalents: 75 %

vitamin b6: 39 %

vitamin c: 30 %

folate: 11 %

calcium: 7 %

iron: 15 %

magnesium: 20 %

potassium: 16 %

sodium: 25 %

thiamin: 11 %

calories from fat:

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

**Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-)Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

Reviews for: Photos of Larb Gai Nikki-Style

1 of 10

All Reviews

sefd

02/28/2017

super yummy healthy and fresh. I added like 3 additional TBS of sugar and skipped the rice flakes. I also used 2 Anaheim peppers sans the seeds instead of Thai Chiles.

Connie Bulkley Deady

02/08/2021

verucalane

06/23/2016

Karen Koppy

08/18/2016

This is a delicious meal. And a great way to use ground turkey. Low calorie high in flavor!! I'll put just a bit of sesame oil in the dressing next time for more clinging to the salad.

foxyloxyeats

09/27/2017

Tracie Krenek

09/14/2018

the flavors were delicious & spot on however it was waaay too spicy. next time I will leave out the Thai chiles completely & halve the cayenne pepper in the dressing.

Anna in Atlanta

05/28/2020

This was amazing! I've prepared several Larb recipes but this one is the best. I used ground chicken instead of turkey.

Sammy Davis

11/22/2020

Soup Loving Nicole

Allstar

04/05/2016