Nut-Free Som Tam (Green Papaya Salad)

Craving the tangy, vibrant flavors of Thailand but need a nut-free option? This Nut-Free Som Tam (Green Papaya Salad) is the perfect solution! Packed with crisp, shredded green papaya, blanched green beans, juicy cherry tomatoes, and a zesty lime and fish sauce dressing (with a vegan option), this recipe captures the classic essence of Som Tam while swapping traditional peanuts for crunchy sunflower seeds. Ready in just 20 minutes with no cooking required, it's a refreshing, allergy-friendly twist on a Thai favorite. Serve it as a light appetizer or a flavorful side dish that’s bursting with texture and bold, spicy-sweet flavors. Ideal for those seeking a nut-free, customizable salad that doesn’t compromise on authenticity or taste!

Nutriscore Rating: 78/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:20 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 medium (about 1.5 lbs) Green papaya
• 1 cup Cherry tomatoes
• 1 cup Green beans
• 2 cloves Garlic
• 2 small Bird's eye chilies
• 1 tablespoon Palm sugar
• 2 tablespoons Fish sauce (replace with soy sauce for vegan option)
• 2 tablespoons Lime juice
• 0.5 cup Radish (optional but adds crunch)
• 2 tablespoons Sunflower seeds (to replace nuts)

Directions

Step 1

Peel and seed the green papaya. Using a julienne peeler, shred it into thin strips. Place the shredded papaya into a large bowl and set aside.

Step 2

Trim the green beans and cut them into 2-inch pieces. Blanch them in boiling water for 1-2 minutes, then immediately rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Add the green beans to the bowl with the papaya.

Step 3

Halve the cherry tomatoes and add them to the bowl along with the optional radish slices (if using).

Step 4

In a mortar and pestle, combine the garlic cloves, bird's eye chilies, and palm sugar. Pound everything together until a rough paste forms.

Step 5

Add the fish sauce (or soy sauce for vegan) and lime juice to the paste. Mix well to ensure the sugar dissolves completely.

Step 6

Pour the dressing over the papaya mixture and toss to coat evenly.

Step 7

Sprinkle the sunflower seeds over the salad and gently mix them in.

Step 8

Serve immediately as a refreshing appetizer or side dish.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1216.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	568.3

Total Fat 10.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 1.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3094.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 119.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.0g	0%
Total Sugars 64.6g
Protein 16.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 270.6mg	0%
Iron 5.6mg	0%
Potassium 2523.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 15.3%

Protein: 10.1%

Carbs: 74.6%