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Authentic Thai Green Papaya Salad (Som Tam)

A close-up of fresh papaya salad featuring shredded green papaya, cherry tomatoes, green beans, and crushed peanuts.
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Make this crisp, spicy, and sour Thai Green Papaya Salad, known as Som Tam. It is a refreshing Asian side dish that balances bold flavors and is naturally gluten-free.

Ingredients

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  • 2 cups shredded unripe green papaya
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/4 cup long beans or green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 2–4 Thai bird’s eye chilies (adjust to your spice preference)
  • 1 tablespoon dried shrimp (optional, omit for vegan)
  • 1 tablespoon palm sugar (or brown sugar)
  • 2 tablespoons fish sauce (or soy sauce/tamari for vegan)
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice, fresh squeezed
  • 1 teaspoon tamarind paste (optional)
  • 1/4 cup roasted peanuts, roughly crushed

Instructions

  1. Prepare the dressing base: Place the garlic and chilies into a mortar. Pound them gently with a pestle until they form a rough paste.
  2. Add the dried shrimp (if using) and palm sugar to the mortar. Pound until the sugar dissolves slightly into the paste.
  3. Add the fish sauce, lime juice, and tamarind paste (if using). Mix well to combine the dressing ingredients.
  4. Add the long beans and cherry tomatoes to the mortar. Gently bruise them with the pestle a few times to release their juices; do not mash them completely.
  5. Add the shredded green papaya to the mortar. Use the pestle to lightly toss and press the papaya into the dressing. You want the papaya to soften slightly and absorb the flavor while remaining crunchy.
  6. Transfer the salad to a serving bowl. Top with the crushed roasted peanuts before serving immediately.

Notes

  • For the best crunch, grate the green papaya using a box grater or a mandoline with a julienne blade.
  • If you do not have a mortar and pestle, you can mix the dressing ingredients in a bowl and toss everything together, but the flavor will be less intense.
  • This salad is best eaten right after preparation to maintain the crisp texture of the papaya.
  • For a vegan version, substitute fish sauce with soy sauce or tamari and omit the dried shrimp.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://blissbatter.com/papaya-salad-easy-authentic-thai-recipe/