A couple of weeks ago, I shared my recipe for Chicken Larb, and y’all really showed up for that one. It quickly became one of my most popular recipes on my social media platforms and here! Now, what really surprised me were the messages that came flooding in afterward. So many of you told me that you grew up eating laab made with canned tuna. I had never tried it that way before, so I had to give it a go, and let me tell you, after just one bite, I was shook. The flavors were bright, bold, and punchy, everything I love about laab, but way more convenient! My girlfriend Hanna took a bite and immediately told me that this was her new favorite way to eat tuna. So here’s my take on Canned Tuna Laab, a quick, easy, and flavor-packed dish that comes together in under 15 minutes!
What is Laab?
Laab (also spelled larb or laap) is a traditional Lao and Thai dish that’s all about balancing sour, salty, spicy, and savory. It’s typically made with minced meat, commonly chicken, pork, or beef, tossed in fish sauce, lime juice, toasted rice powder, and a handful of fresh herbs like mint and cilantro. Now, laab isn’t just one dish; it’s more of a style of preparation. Some versions use tripe or liver, others are made with raw beef, and there are even vegetarian takes. It’s often served with sticky rice or fresh vegetables, such as cabbage or cucumber, to balance the heat and acidity.
Why This Recipe Works
At first glance, using canned tuna in a laab might seem like a shortcut, but the truth is, it absolutely works because we’re not cutting corners anywhere else. The magic of laab is in its bold and layered flavor profile, and this recipe stays true to that. We’re still using all the classic ingredients like fish sauce, lime juice, crushed dried Thai chilies, toasted rice powder, shallots, and fresh herbs, so you get that authentic taste you know and love.
The canned tuna simply makes it faster and more accessible. No cooking meat, no waiting around. Just pop a can open, drain it, and toss everything together. In less time than it takes to scroll through your For You Page, you’ve got a meal that’s bright, refreshing, and packed with flavor.
Canned Tuna Laab
2-3
servings5
minutes5
minutesIngredients
10 oz 10 Canned Tuna
- Sauce:
1 tbsp 1 Fish Sauce
2 2 Limes, Juice
1 tsp 1 Sugar
1 tbsp 1 Crushed Dried Thai Chili
- Toasted Rice Powder:
2 tbsp 2 Sticky Rice
3 3 Lime Leaves
- Toppings:
2 tbsp 2 Toasted Rice Powder
1/3 1/3 Red Onion
Mint
Cilantro
Green Onions
- Accompaniments:
Sticky Rice
Lettuce
Cucumbers
Directions
- Prep work:
- Thinly cut red onions along the grain into thin strips. (Optionally, soak the red onions in cold water for 5 minutes, then drain to reduce the raw bite)
- Remove mint leaves from the stems. Finely chop up green onions and cilantro
- Make the Toasted Rice Powder:
- In a dry pan over medium heat, toast two tablespoons of sticky rice with 2–3 kaffir lime leaves. Stir frequently and toast until the rice is golden brown and fragrant (about 5–7 minutes)
- Remove from heat, discard the lime leaves, and grind the toasted rice into a coarse powder using a mortar and pestle or spice grinder. Set aside
- Prepare the Sauce:
- In a small bowl, mix together one tablespoons of fish sauce, the juice of two limes, a teaspoon of sugar, and a tablespoon of crushed dried chili
- Stir until the sugar is dissolved
- Put it all together:
- Open canned tuna and drain. Add tuna to a mixing bowl along with the thinly sliced red onions, green onions, cilantro, and mint
- Pour over sauce and mix well. Then add in toasted rice powder and gently toss to combine
- Serve:
- Plate the larb with fresh lettuce, cabbage leaves, or cucumber slices, and sticky rice on the side
- Serve at room temperature and enjoy!
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Directions included minced garlic but that ingredient is not in the list.
Thanks for catching that!
Fabulous! Made half the recipe using 1 can of tuna in oil, which I drained really well. Also added a few Thai basil leaves because I had them available. Did not use garlic.
This was ridiculously easy and outrageously delicious. Will definitely make again.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Definitely make it your own and adjust to your own palate!
I’ve already made it 3 times and it’s sooo good yet super simple and easy to throw together! All my kids enjoy it also 👍👍
Hi Aunt Debbie! It’s honestly such an easy recipe that’s soooo good. It’s actually Hanna’s favorite laab now!
I have been making these canned tuna ceviche tostadas for the past few months. They’ve served me well but I always felt like I was still eating canned tuna.
This recipe is great! The mint brings a freshness that I’ve been missing and the fish sauce brings a little more complexity to the tuna. Eating this rolled in lettuce leafs gives me the crunch I want without the temptation of devouring a whole pack of tostadas.
Thank you so much for sharing this, Ken. Adding it to the weekly rotation for sure!
Canned tuna ceviche sounds genius too though! I’m so glad you enjoyed it though!
Can’t wait to try this! But I need to know:
Where did you get the grinder that you use in your vid? Can you tell us, or at least list it
in your Amazon store? Thank you!
Hi Sue! This is the one I use: https://amzn.to/4843w4s
Thank you so much! Not all grinders can do spices well, and I saw how well yours worked in your vid. So thank you!
This came out as good as the Larb I usually order at my favorite Thai restaurant! Really scrumptious.
I really enjoyed this. It was a solid quick, easy and healthy lunch. I was a bit intimidated by the toasted rice powder, so I left it out and ate it with prawn crackers, lettuce wraps and cucumbers, but next time I’ll see if I can find some rice powder.
I’m glad you enjoyed it and made it with what you have! These recipes should help you build a foundation, but from there you should make it your own! Cheers Jacki
What would happen if I used non-sticky rice? I have aged Indian basmati and brown basmati.
Not the end of the world, but I would probably use white jasmine rice as a back up. Not 100% sure how basmati would work out, if you try it, please let me know how it is!
Good stuff, this is how I do my tuna now, been eating w rice or toasted bread
Hi Erin, I’m so glad you like it! It’s honestly the only way I eat tuna now!
I recently bought too much tuna fish at Costco and just like that I don’t have enough 🙃
Haha! Ain’t that the truth! I’m so glad you enjoyed it Ryne. I hope you give my other recipes a try too!