Description
Learn how to make authentic Thai Papaya Salad (Som Tum) with this simple and flavorful recipe. Combining fresh green papaya, juicy tomatoes, crunchy peanuts, and a tangy dressing made with lime, fish sauce, and palm sugar, this salad is the perfect balance of spicy, sour, salty, and sweet. Enjoy this refreshing dish on hot days or as a side to grilled meats!
Ingredients
- 2–3 cloves garlic
- 2–3 bird’s eye chilies (adjust to taste)
- 1–2 tablespoons dried shrimp
- 2–3 teaspoons palm sugar (cut into small pieces)
- 2 tablespoons peanuts (lightly crushed)
- 1/4 cup green beans (cut into 1-inch pieces)
- 1–2 cups shredded green papaya
- 2 medium tomatoes (quartered)
- 2–3 teaspoons fish sauce (adjust to taste)
- 2–3 teaspoons fresh lime juice (adjust to taste)
Instructions
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Pound the garlic and chilies: Use a mortar and pestle to pound the garlic and chilies into a smooth paste. This step is crucial for developing the bold flavors of the salad.
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Add the dried shrimp: Add the dried shrimp to the mortar and pound gently until broken into small pieces. Avoid pulverizing them entirely, keeping some texture.
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Add palm sugar: Add the palm sugar pieces and pound them until dissolved and well-mixed.
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Add peanuts: Add the peanuts and lightly pound them, breaking them into smaller pieces while retaining some crunch.
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Add the green beans: Pound the green beans gently until they’re bruised, releasing their flavor while keeping some structure.
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Add papaya and tomatoes: Add shredded papaya and quartered tomatoes to the mortar. Pound gently to bruise the papaya and release the tomato juice, enhancing flavor and color.
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Season with fish sauce and lime juice: Add fish sauce and lime juice to the salad, balancing the heat and sweetness.
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Pound and mix: Use a spoon to flip ingredients and continue pounding and mixing until the flavors are evenly combined.
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Taste and adjust: Adjust seasoning by adding more fish sauce, lime juice, or palm sugar according to your preference.
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Serve: Serve immediately for the freshest taste and enjoy your Thai Papaya Salad!
Notes
- Protein Additions: Top the salad with grilled chicken, shrimp.
- Spicy Level: Adjust the amount of bird’s eye chilies to control the heat level. You can also omit chilies for a milder salad.
- Vegan Option: Use soy sauce or tamari in place of fish sauce and skip the dried shrimp for a vegan-friendly version.
- Fruit Variations: Add pineapple or mango for a tropical twist on the traditional papaya.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Thai
