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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Recipe Information
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
Instructions
Peel the green papaya and remove the seeds. Use a julienne peeler or shred the papaya into thin strips.
Trim the ends of the green beans and chop them into 1-inch pieces.
In a mortar and pestle, crush the garlic cloves and bird's eye chilies together until roughly mashed.
Add the palm sugar to the mortar and pound gently until it dissolves slightly.
Add the lime juice, fish sauce, and dried shrimp (if using) to the mortar, mixing well to combine all the flavors.
Add the green beans and cherry tomatoes to the mortar. Lightly crush them to release their juices but don’t over-mash them.
Toss in the shredded green papaya. Mix everything together by gently pounding and stirring to ensure the sauce coats all the ingredients evenly.
Transfer the salad to a serving plate and sprinkle roasted peanuts on top as a garnish.
Serve immediately, either as a standalone dish or as an accompaniment to grilled meat or sticky rice.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
134 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 2.7 g | 3% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.2 g | 1% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 9 mg | 3% | |
| Sodium | 689 mg | 30% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 25.9 g | 9% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.0 g | 14% | |
| Total Sugars | 14.8 g | ||
| Protein | 4.2 g | 8% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 55 mg | 4% | |
| Iron | 1.0 mg | 5% | |
| Potassium | 493 mg | 10% | |
*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.
