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You’ll be surprised at how tender the texture and delicious the flavor is in this easy-to-make, 15-minute tofu larb salad! Serve up vegan larb in romaine lettuce for a tasty healthy veggie wrap that’s perfect for lunch on the go or a quick lunch when working from home.
Tofu larb salad is not your typical tofu salad recipe, but it sure is special!
I grew up with many Hmong friends, who introduced me to the traditional version of this dish. I’ve since given it a healthy, plant-based makeover and my version of vegan larb is crammed with flavor. Are you ready to try something new?
This vegan larb tofu is a perfect example of how you can turn any dish into a plant-based version of it. You can apply this principle to any beloved recipe like plant-based lasagna or vegan steak (like this mushroom one!). Whatever the dish, you can veganize it!
What is Larb Salad?
This dish is originally from Laos but also from a region in Thailand called Isan.
This vegan take on Larb salad uses a tofu crumble and is seasoned with lime juice, cilantro, soy sauce, and more to achieve its traditional taste. Once cooked, the tofu crumble is served warm or hot over lettuce, cabbage, or veggies with a side of sticky rice.
Why This Recipe Works
- Healthy and delicious: A tasty tofu dish served up in romaine lettuce leaves.
- Great combination: Savory, sweet, and spicy make this dish taste amazing.
- Out of the ordinary: A flavorful way to change up lunchtime if you’re feeling in a rut!
What Goes Into This Recipe
- 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.
- 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! You can also use Bibb lettuce or leaf lettuce which both work great for lettuce wraps.
How to Make Vegan Larb with Tofu
- 1) Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium heat. When it’s hot, add the tofu and 1 tablespoon of the lime juice, and sauté for 4 or 5 minutes or until the tofu is light brown.
- 2) 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. Mix well.
- 3) Serve in the lettuce leaves.
Expert Tips
- Choose the right tofu: Use extra-firm tofu for a more meat-like texture. You can use firm tofu as well just 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
It is usually eaten warm or room temperature but will taste great cold too which makes it perfect to take with you on the go to eat for lunch away from home.
Larb is generally flavored with ingredients that give it a salty, spicy, tangy flavor. This vegan larb recipe recreates these flavors using plant-based ingredients.
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? Don’t let the lack of an ingredient unmotivate you to give it a go!
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 Tofu Recipes
Photos by Alfonso Revilla
Vegan Tofu Larb Salad
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.
Nutrition
Disclaimer: Although plantbasedonabudget.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Plantbasedonabudget.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.
Such a unique recipe, it was really tasty!
Unique and so so tasty! Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Such a great summer recipe! Yum!!
Yay to summer recipes!
A perfectly healthy and delicious recipe for summer!
Gotta love those light summer recipes!
I especially love the lime, cilantro; and jalapeño in this vegan tofu larb salad. What a unique recipe! I was happy to find it because I love trying new dishes.
It’s the best combo of flavors! So glad you enjoyed it 🙂
This really was a quick lunch recipe! I loved the lime on the tofu.
Love how quick and easy it is too. So good!
I love the classic laar gai made with chicken and never thought to try it with tofu! What a fabulous idea!
It’s definitely a great sub!
Love how easy to make this tofu larb salad is! Perfect for busy weekdays.
Definitely! Tasty, simple, and quick!
love how you made this traditional dish plant based – delicious!
It’s always awesome to veganize the best dishes to make them even better!
I’ve never heard of larb salad, but this looks like such a healthy and refreshing recipe for the warmer temps this summer!
You’d love it! It’s super tasty and delicious!
Wow, this was the perfect combination of favors for tofu. Such an amazing recipe. Everyone here loved it.
Right?! Such a nice combo of yumminess!
This tofu larb salad was so delicious! I loved how easy this was to make and perfect for a warm summer day!
So good! It’s one of those light and refreshing dishes that always hit the spot in the heat!
Refreshing and full of flavor, thank you, we all love it
So glad you guys enjoyed it! It’s a tasty one!
This was delicious! We made a Taco Salad Bowl with it, and drizzled Sriracha, so good!
Love that! I’ll have to make it into a salad bowl next time!
Great for my working days at home, loved it, thanks!
Perfect for a quick recipe 🙂 Glad it could keep you fueled for work 🙂
These are perfect for a light lunch or appetizers. Love the flavors in it!
Agreed! Such an epic combo of flavors!
This was delightful and I love recipes like this. Larb is a favorite of mine I haven’t used tofu in it so this was a nice treat.
Tofu is the best kind of sub! So glad you enjoyed it!
This was very easy to make even though it was brand new to me. Delicious too!
Glad you gave it a go and enjoyed it!
My family loved your recipe. It was easy to make and perfect for these hot days we are having.
So glad everyone enjoyed it! It’s definitely a great one for summer!
what a tasty and healthy recipe
So glad you enjoyed it! It’s a tasty one!
So quick to make and so flavorful!