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This vegan tofu larb salad is tender the texture and delicious. You can serve this easy-to-make, 15-minute tofu larb recipe in romaine lettuce for a healthy veggie wrap. Therefore, it’s perfect for lunch on the go or a quick lunch when working from home.
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Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Vegan Larb Tofu Recipe!
- What is Larb Salad?
- Ingredients for Tofu Larb Salad
- How to Make Vegan Larb with Tofu
- Variations and Substitutions
- Toni’s Recipe Tips for Vegan Larb
- FAQs for the Larb Tofu Recipe
- How to Eat Larb Salad
- More Asian-Inspired Tofu Transformations
- Vegan Tofu Larb Salad Recipe
Why You’ll Love This Vegan Larb Tofu Recipe!
Tofu larb salad is not your typical tofu salad recipe! When I was growing up, I had many Hmong friends who introduced me to the traditional version of this dish. Since it’s so delicious, I’ve given it a healthy, plant-based makeover that’s crammed with flavor.
This vegan larb tofu is a tasty tofu dish to serve up in crisp romaine lettuce leaves. Additionally, the savory, sweet, and spicy flavors infused into the tofu larb make this refreshing dish so satisfying. If you’ve been in a lunch rut, this vegan larb is a great way to switch up lunchtime with something healthy but filling, to bring new flavors!
Also, it’s the perfect example of how you can turn any dish into a plant-based version! Try it with other favorites, like lasagna, vegan steak, or even crispy orange tofu!
What is Larb Salad?
Originally, this dish is from Laos but also from a region in Thailand called Isan.
Alternatively, this vegan take on Larb salad uses a tofu crumble. Season with lime juice, cilantro, soy sauce, and more to achieve its traditional taste. Once cooked, serve the tofu crumble warm or hot over lettuce, cabbage, or veggies with a side of sticky rice.
Ingredients for Tofu Larb Salad
- Canola or vegetable oil: Used to cook the tofu. Any neutral-flavored oil will work.
- Extra-firm tofu: This variety of tofu has a firmer texture and makes the perfect plant-based protein in this vegan larb recipe.
- Lime juice: A bit of acid adds brightness to the larb tofu recipe.
- Cilantro: Freshly chopped is best.
- Soy sauce: Gives the vegan larb salad its umami flavor.
- Green onion: For color and some onion flavor.
- Jalapeño: Just a bit for some spice.
- Onion: Any onion will work, red, yellow or white.
- Fresh mint: Gives the tofu larb its unique flavor.
- Romaine lettuce leaves: Get the whole head to use the leaves to wrap around the larb tofu and eat it! Alternatively, you can also use Bibb lettuce or leaf lettuce which both work great for lettuce wraps.
How to Make Vegan Larb with Tofu
Step 1: First, heat the oil in a saucepan over medium heat. When it’s hot, add the tofu and 1 tablespoon of the lime juice. Then sauté for 4 or 5 minutes or until the tofu is light brown.
Step 2: After cooking, transfer the tofu to a medium bowl and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of lime juice, cilantro, soy sauce, green onion, jalapeño, onion, and mint. Then mix well.
Step 3: Finally, scoop the vegan larb into lettuce leaves to serve!
Variations and Substitutions
With simple recipes like this one, you can easily swap ingredients without affecting the outcome.
- Don’t have cilantro? You could try parsley or basil.
- Did you run out of tofu? Could mash some chickpeas or lentils!
- Don’t have romaine? Try crispy iceberg or serve over some shredded cabbage.
See? There’s so many options to try!
Toni’s Recipe Tips for Vegan Larb
- Choose the right tofu: Use extra-firm tofu for a more meat-like texture. Alternatively, you can use firm tofu. But don’t forget to press it!
- Add some spice: If you like things spicy, drizzle some sriracha or chopped fresh chilies over the top.
- Extra flavor: Serve up tofu larb with a squeeze of lime and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro over the top.
- Taking on the go? When making for meal prep and to take with you, pack up the lettuce leaves and tofu larb separately so the lettuce doesn’t get soggy.
FAQs for the Larb Tofu Recipe
It is usually eaten warm or room temperature but will taste great cold too. As a result, it’s perfect to take with you on the go to eat for lunch away from home.
Generally, larb is flavored with ingredients that give it a salty, spicy, tangy flavor. Similarly, this vegan larb recipe recreates these flavors using plant-based ingredients.
How to Eat Larb Salad
- Tacos: Vegan larb with tofu would be amazing on corn tortillas with some tomato salsa or even mango salsa!
- Sandwich: Mix up larb tofu with some vegan mayo and spread on your favorite bread.
- Wrap: Swap out the lettuce leaf with a flavored tortilla wrap!
- Make a bowl: Layer it on top of shredded cabbage and lettuce for a delicious lunch bowl.
- Make it a meal: Add on a side of traditional sticky rice, green papaya salad or brown rice if you want a healthier option.
More Asian-Inspired Tofu Transformations
Vegan Dinners
General Tso’s Tofu
Vegan Dinners
Sweet and Spicy Tofu
Vegan Lunches
Crispy Orange Tofu
Vegan Dinners
Shiitake Asparagus Tofu Stir Fry
If you tried this easy vegan tofu larb salad recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks!
Photos by Alfonso Revilla
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Vegan Tofu Larb Salad
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Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of canola or vegetable oil
- 14 ounces of extra-firm tofu, pressed and crumbled
- 3 Tablespoons of lime juice, divided
- 2 ½ Tablespoons of minced cilantro
- 2 Tablespoons of soy sauce
- 1 green onion, sliced
- ½ Tablespoon of minced jalapeño
- ¼ cup of thinly sliced red, white, or yellow onion
- 2 Tablespoons of minced mint
- 8 iceberg or romaine lettuce leaves
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the tofu and 1 tablespoon of the lime juice, and sauté for 4 or 5 minutes or until the tofu is light brown.
- Place the tofu in a medium bowl and combine with the remaining 2 tablespoons lime juice, cilantro, soy sauce, green onion, jalapeño, onion, and mint. Mix well.
- Serve in the lettuce leaves.
Notes
- Choose the right tofu: Use extra-firm tofu for a more meat-like texture. You can use firm tofu but may need to press it first.
- Add some spice: If you like things spicy, drizzle some sriracha or chopped fresh chilies over the top.
- Extra flavor: Serve up tofu larb with a squeeze of lime and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro over the top.
I absolutely adore this! My whole family loved it too. I only wish we had made more because there is nothing left over – just the delicious memories. I served this with rice and a tom kha soup on the side, and it is destined to be a new family favorite.
Thank you so much for the recipe!!
–Anne K
That is so awesome that you’re entire family loved this dish! I bet it was extra delicious with rice and soup! 🙂
I used canned jackfruit (15oz). Sautéed as directed in lieu of tofu.
Added a bit more lime juice/oil to pan to cook the jackfruit to brown. Total of two and a half small limes.
Added a bit of fresh lime and cilantro as directed to the top and ate with romaine leaves. I had some cucumber and made a boat for the jackfruit out of the cucumber by removing seeds
So easy, fast and delicious.
Thank you!
Sounds super yummy!
This recipe is delicious! I followed the recipe as-is without adjustments, and it was wonderful. Fresh cilantro and mint made it perfect. I’ll be making this again for sure!
Nice! So glad you enjoyed this one. It’s super tasty!
Yummy so good to see this recipe revamped!
Right?! Such a tasty one!
I’ve always wanted to give larb a try and now I can! It sounds amazing!
Let us know what you think 🙂