Easy Thai Green Papaya Salad Recipe (Som Tum/Tam)

a Thai papaya salad in a dish with green beans, tomatoes, and peanuts

Easy Thai Green Papaya Salad Recipe (Som Tum/Tam)

This easy Thai papaya salad recipe is an iconic, spicy Thai salad popular in Thai restaurants around the globe. Naturally gluten-free and so addicting, this easy salad features simple, fresh ingredients, a flavorful dressing, and 24 grams of protein!

Prep Time15

Total Time15

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: Asian, Thai

Keyword: gluten-free, green papaya, Thai papaya salad recipe

Servings: servings

Ingredients

2 cups julienned green papaya tightly packed
1-3 bird's eye chilies stems removed - Use just one for medium spicy
2 garlic cloves
2 tbsp sugar
4 long beans broken into 2 inch pieces
2 tbsp dried shrimp roughly chopped if they are big
1/2 cup roasted peanuts divided
3 tbsp lime juice
2 tbsp fish sauce
1/2 cup grape tomatoes halved

Instructions

Use a veggie slicer or a sharp knife to peel and shred the papaya into thin slices. Place in a large bowl.
In a mortar and pestle, add the peanuts and pound to break up into smaller pieces. Reserve 2 tbsp of peanuts to the side and add the rest in the bowl with the papaya.
Add bird's eye chilis and garlic to the mortar and pestle, and pound until broken down in to small pieces. Add sugar and pound again until a paste is formed.
Add long beans and dried shrimp, and lightly pound until the beans are bruised and softened.
Stir in lime juice and fish sauce with a spoon until everything is combined.
Pour all contents of the mortar over the shredded papaya and crushed peanuts.
Add grape tomatoes to the mortar and pestle and pound a few times to lightly crush. Add to the salad.
Toss the salad well to combine. Top with the remaining peanuts, and serve immediately.

Video

Notes

Expert Tips

If you don't have a mortar and pestle, you can use a knife to chop the peanuts, garlic, and shrimp. Use the side of the knife to pound and break down the other ingredients on a cutting board and combine them in the mixing bowl.
You can add additional protein to this salad or swap the dried shrimp for an alternative like chicken, tofu, beef, pork, or seafood.

Serving Tips

This Thai Papaya Salad recipe is a refreshing appetizer or side dish traditionally served cold.
Garnish with roasted peanuts, lime wedges for extra tanginess, and adjust the spice level to taste.
It pairs well with Thai curries, sticky rice, grilled meats or can be enjoyed as a full meal with added protein. Serve in a communal dining setting and mix well before serving. Enjoy the perfect balance of sweet, sour, spicy, and savory flavors.

Storage Tips

Leftover Thai papaya salad can be saved in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, but remember that the green papaya will soften the longer it sits.

Nutrition