Isan-Style Spicy Thai Fried Pork Rind and Herb Salad Recipe

By
J. Kenji López-Alt
Kenji Lopez Alt
J. Kenji López-Alt
Culinary Consultant
Kenji is the former culinary director for Serious Eats and a current culinary consultant for the site. He is also a New York Times food columnist and the author of The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science.
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Updated Aug. 29, 2018
20130110-chicharron-thai-salad-1.jpg
Crisp fried pork rinds in a hot, sour, salty, and sweet Thai-style herb salad. . J. Kenji Lopez-Alt

The dressing for this salad fires on all cylinders with big bursts of hot, acidic, sweet, and savory elements all in balance. The dressing coats crisp fried pork rinds, softening them up slightly, and making them taste almost bright and refreshing when coupled with plenty of fresh herbs and bean sprouts.

Why this recipe works:

  • A combination of both dried and fresh Thai chiles, sugar, fish sauce, and lime juice make a dressing that is bold and delicious.
  • Pounding the garlic and chiles in a mortar and pestle releases more flavors than a food processor or hand-chopping do.
  • Packaged fried pork rinds absorb a ton of flavor from the dressing.

Recipe Details

Isan-Style Spicy Thai Fried Pork Rind and Herb Salad Recipe

Active 10 mins
Total 10 mins
Serves 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 small red onion, split in half from pole to pole and thinly sliced
  • 2 scallions, thinly sliced on a sharp bias
  • 3 medium cloves garlic
  • 2 teaspoons Thai red pepper flakes (more or less to taste, see note)
  • 1 small green Thai chile or 1/2 small Serrano chile, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar (more or less to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon Asian fish sauce (more or less to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon juice from 1 lime (more or less to taste)
  • 1 roma tomato, split in half and thinly sliced
  • 1 cup mung bean sprouts, washed, trimmed, and dried
  • 2 (1.75 ounces) packages unflavored fried pork rinds
  • 1/2 cup fresh picked mint leaves
  • 1/2 cup fresh picked cilantro leaves
  • Lime wedges, for serving

Directions

  1. Place onions and scallions in a bowl, cover with cold water, add 6 ice cubes, and place in refrigerator until ready to use, at least 5 minutes.

  2. Combine garlic, pepper flakes, and Thai chiles in a mortar and pestle and pound into a fine paste (see note). Add sugar, fish sauce, and lime juice, and pound until the sugar is dissolved. Taste dressing and add more sugar, fish sauce, lime juice, or pepper flakes to taste. It should be strongly spicy, sweet, salty, and acidic.

  3. Combine tomatoes, bean sprouts, pork rinds, mint, cilantro, and dressing in a large bowl and toss to combine. Carefully drain onions and scallions. Add to bowl and toss to combine. Serve immediately.

Special equipment

Mortar and pestle

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