Vegan Spicy Thai Papaya Salad (Som Tum)

Dive into the vibrant, zesty world of flavor with Vegan Spicy Thai Papaya Salad (Som Tum), a plant-based twist on the classic Thai street food. This refreshing salad brings together crisp julienned green papaya, crunchy green beans, and sweet cherry tomatoes, all tossed in a tangy, umami-rich dressing made with fresh lime juice, soy sauce, and palm sugar. Spiced with Thai red chilies, this dish perfectly balances heat, sweetness, and acidity, while crunchy roasted peanuts add an irresistible texture. Ready in just 20 minutes with no cooking required, it’s the perfect choice for a light, gluten-free, and refreshing appetizer or side dish. Whether you're serving it at a summer gathering or enjoying it as a quick weekday meal, this bold and healthy salad is sure to impress!

Nutriscore Rating: 78/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:20 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 medium-sized Green papaya (unripe)
• 12 pieces Cherry tomatoes
• 100 grams Green beans
• 1 medium-sized Carrot
• 2 small Garlic cloves
• 2 pieces Thai red chilies
• 30 grams Roasted peanuts
• 3 tablespoons Fresh lime juice
• 1.5 tablespoons Palm sugar
• 2 tablespoons Soy sauce (gluten-free, if desired)
• 1 tablespoon Vegan fish sauce (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Peel the green papaya and remove the seeds. Using a julienne peeler or grater, shred the papaya into thin strips and set aside in a large mixing bowl.

Step 2

Cut the green beans into 1-inch (2.5 cm) pieces and lightly blanch them in boiling water for 1 minute, then transfer them to cold water to retain their crunch. Add to the mixing bowl.

Step 3

Julienne the carrot and add it to the bowl with the papaya and green beans.

Step 4

Halve the cherry tomatoes and set them aside.

Step 5

Using a mortar and pestle, pound the garlic and Thai red chilies into a coarse paste. If you don’t have a mortar and pestle, you can finely mince the garlic and chilies instead.

Step 6

Add the lime juice, palm sugar, soy sauce, and vegan fish sauce (if using) to the mortar. Stir the mixture well until the sugar dissolves.

Step 7

Pour the dressing over the papaya mixture in the bowl. Add the halved cherry tomatoes and gently toss everything together until well mixed.

Step 8

Sprinkle the roasted peanuts over the top for added crunch and flavor.

Step 9

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, adding more lime juice for tanginess, sugar for sweetness, or soy sauce for saltiness.

Step 10

Serve immediately as a side dish or enjoy it on its own as a light, refreshing meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1013g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	606.3

Total Fat 18.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 3.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2724.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 106.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 18.9g	0%
Total Sugars 61.6g
Protein 17.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 237.4mg	0%
Iron 5.0mg	0%
Potassium 2523.0mg	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: 24.5%

Protein: 10.7%

Carbs: 64.7%