Thai Green Papaya Salad Aka Som Tam
Experience the vibrant, zesty flavors of Thailand with this authentic Thai Green Papaya Salad, also known as Som Tam. This refreshing, no-cook dish combines crisp shredded green papaya, juicy cherry tomatoes, and crunchy green beans with a bold dressing made from fish sauce, lime juice, palm sugar, and fiery bird’s eye chilies. The optional addition of dried shrimp adds a savory umami punch, while a sprinkle of roasted peanuts delivers the perfect crunch. Prepared in just 20 minutes, this iconic Thai salad is a harmony of sweet, salty, sour, and spicy flavors, making it a perfect appetizer or side dish to complement grilled meats or sticky rice. Whether you're recreating a street-food favorite or looking for a light, healthy dish, Som Tam is guaranteed to impress with its irresistible combination of textures and flavors.
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Ingredients
- 1 medium-sized (about 1.5 lbs) Green papaya
- 8 whole Cherry tomatoes
- 6 pieces Green beans
- 2 whole Garlic cloves
- 2 pieces (or more to taste) Bird's eye chili
- 1 tablespoon Palm sugar
- 2 tablespoons Fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons Lime juice
- 2 tablespoons Roasted peanuts
- 1 tablespoon (optional) Dried shrimp
Directions
Step 1
Peel the green papaya and remove the seeds. Use a julienne peeler or shred the papaya into thin strips.
Step 2
Trim the ends of the green beans and chop them into 1-inch pieces.
Step 3
In a mortar and pestle, crush the garlic cloves and bird's eye chilies together until roughly mashed.
Step 4
Add the palm sugar to the mortar and pound gently until it dissolves slightly.
Step 5
Add the lime juice, fish sauce, and dried shrimp (if using) to the mortar, mixing well to combine all the flavors.
Step 6
Add the green beans and cherry tomatoes to the mortar. Lightly crush them to release their juices but don’t over-mash them.
Step 7
Toss in the shredded green papaya. Mix everything together by gently pounding and stirring to ensure the sauce coats all the ingredients evenly.
Step 8
Transfer the salad to a serving plate and sprinkle roasted peanuts on top as a garnish.
Step 9
Serve immediately, either as a standalone dish or as an accompaniment to grilled meat or sticky rice.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (995.4g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 562.5 |
| Total Fat 12.4g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 2.5g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 2.8g | |
| Cholesterol 75mg | 0% |
| Sodium 2919.7mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 105.9g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 16.2g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 59.9g | |
| Protein 22.0g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 227.1mg | 0% |
| Iron 4.1mg | 0% |
| Potassium 2268.1mg | 0% |
Source of Calories