Green Papaya Salad

Name: Green Papaya Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Thai
Ingredients: 2 green (unripe) papaya, shredded; 2 roma tomatoes, halved; 8 long beans (or green beans), cut into 1-inch pieces; 4 garlic cloves, peeled; 4-8 Thai bird's eye chilies; 2 limes, juiced; 2 tbsp fish sauce; 2 tbsp palm sugar (or brown sugar); 2 tbsp dried shrimp (optional); 1/4 cup roasted peanuts, crushed

A vibrant Thai salad (Som Tum) featuring shredded unripe papaya with a perfect balance of sweet, sour, spicy, and savory flavors, dressed with lime, fish sauce, and chili.

20 minMediumServes 4160 cal/serving

ThaiSaladNo-CookPescatarianHalal-friendlyGluten-FreeDairy-FreeLow-SodiumPork-FreeAlcohol-FreeCorn-Free

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Ingredients

2 green (unripe) papaya, shredded
2 roma tomatoes, halved
8 long beans (or green beans), cut into 1-inch pieces
4 garlic cloves, peeled
4-8 Thai bird's eye chilies
2 limes, juiced
2 tbsp fish sauce
2 tbsp palm sugar (or brown sugar)
2 tbsp dried shrimp (optional)
1/4 cup roasted peanuts, crushed

Instructions

1

In a large mortar and pestle, pound the 4 peeled garlic cloves and 4-8 Thai bird's eye chilies together until they form a rough paste. If you don't have a mortar and pestle, you can finely mince them or use a food processor.
2

Add the 8 cut into 1-inch pieces long beans (or green beans) to the mortar and lightly bruise them with the pestle, or briefly pulse in the food processor.
3

In a small bowl, mix together the 2 juiced limes, 2 tbsp fish sauce, and 2 tbsp palm sugar (or brown sugar) until the sugar dissolves.
4

In a large bowl, combine the 2 shredded green (unripe) papaya and 2 halved roma tomatoes.
5

Add the garlic-chili paste and beans to the papaya mixture.
6

Pour the lime-fish sauce dressing over the salad and toss well to combine.
7

If using, add the 2 tbsp dried shrimp (optional) and gently toss again.
8

Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle with 1/4 cup crushed roasted peanuts.
9

Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.

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Questions

Do I need any special equipment for Green Papaya Salad?

Beyond a knife and a board, the method uses a food processor (step 1) and a mortar and pestle (step 1). If you do not have one, a sharp knife and patience, or a blender in short pulses, stands in for the food processor.

What can I use instead of palm sugar in Green Papaya Salad?

The entry for Green Papaya Salad calls for 2 tbsp palm sugar (or brown sugar). In its place: Dark or light brown sugar works, measure for measure.

How hot is Green Papaya Salad?

Yes, it is properly hot. The heat in Green Papaya Salad comes from 4-8 Thai bird's eye chilies. For a milder plate, remove the seeds and ribs from the chilies, or use half; nothing else in the method changes. For more, add it at the table rather than in the pot, so everyone sets their own level.

Does Green Papaya Salad contain peanuts?

Yes: 1/4 cup roasted peanuts, crushed. The full allergen list for this entry is peanuts and fish. Where the peanuts are a garnish, toasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds give the same crunch. Packaged ingredients vary by brand, so check labels if the allergy is serious.

Can I freeze Green Papaya Salad?

It is not a good candidate. The base of Green Papaya Salad is beans, which holds up: it keeps three to four days refrigerated and tastes better after a few hours, once the dressing has soaked in. Hold back a spoonful of dressing to freshen it before serving. Add the peanuts at the table so it stays crisp. It does not freeze.

Serve it with

Khao Soi main
Larb Gai main
Tom Yum Soup soup

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