Why We Love This Green Papaya Salad Recipe
Som Tum (also Som Tam) is one of the best-known, most loved salads in Thailand and surrounding Southeast Asian countries. It’s made with hard and tart unripened papaya, long beans, and chopped peanuts for a terrific crunchy slaw-like consistency. And everything is tossed with classic Asian seasonings – including fish sauce, garlic, and chiles for incredibly bold flavors in every bite. Similarly, Vietnamese papaya salad is also made with thinly sliced green papaya. However, the Vietnamese version tends to also have other shredded veggies, like carrots and cabbage, as well as cooked shrimp and fresh basil. It’s very tasty, but it does tend to get a bit more complicated to make at home, so we’re keeping things easy with this Thai version that comes together in only 25 minutes! This Thai Green Papaya Salad recipe makes a wonderfully simple, light, and refreshing dish that can be enjoyed on its own, as an appetizer, or served as a side with your favorite Thai main dishes!
Ingredients You Need
A traditional Thai salad includes simple, wholesome, and wonderfully vibrant ingredients. To make this classic Som Tum recipe you need:
Green papaya – hard and unripened Garlic cloves – peeled Scallions – green and white parts separated Thai bird chiles – seeded and sliced Dry roasted peanuts – or cashews, for those with a peanut allergy Fish sauce – can sub with soy sauce or tamari Lime – zested and juiced Sugar – granulated white sugar or coconut sugar Long beans – also known as snake beans (or skinny green beans), cut into segments Roma tomato – seeded and chopped
Pro Tip: You can usually find green papayas, long beans, Thai chiles, and fish sauce at all Asian markets, and many large grocery stores with a good “international” section. This salad can also be made with green mangos and dried shrimp.
How to Make Som Tum (Green Papaya Salad)
From start to finish this dish is ready in under 30 minutes. It’s great to chill before serving, and can even be made ahead!
Looking for More Easy and Refreshing Salad Recipes? Be Sure to Try:
Crunchy Beet Carrot Slaw Zucchini and Green Chutney Salad Healthy Rainbow Chopped Salad Raw Beet and Sweet Potato Salad Caribbean Coleslaw Recipe
Share This Recipe With Friends!
Use it as a sweet slaw on your favorite east Asian-inspired sandwiches. Try Som Tum on a roll with Sweet Chili Pulled Pork, on a Vietnamese Bahn Mi, or add to Keto Larb Rolls for some extra flavor and crunch. And don’t forget the Thai Mango Sticky Rice Pudding for dessert!
