Description
Som Tum, or Green Papaya Salad, is a vibrant and refreshing Thai dish featuring shredded unripe papaya tossed with a tangy, spicy, and savory dressing made from lime juice, fish sauce, chilies, garlic, and peanuts. This salad combines crunchy textures with bold flavors, making it a staple in Thai cuisine and a perfect light appetizer or side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 1 small to medium green (unripe) papaya (4 to 6 cups shredded)
- 2 plum tomatoes, 1 large round tomato, or 8 grape tomatoes, coarsely chopped
- 1/2 pound long beans, trimmed and cut into 1 1/2-inch lengths (optional)
- Lettuce for serving (optional)
Dressing and Seasoning
- 1 large or 2 small cloves garlic, peeled
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon dry-roasted salted peanuts, plus more for garnish
- 2 fresh bird chilies or serrano chilies, sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon raw sugar or white sugar
- 1 tablespoon dried shrimp (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 to 2 tablespoons fish sauce (nam pla), to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the seasoning paste: In a blender or mortar, blend or pound garlic, salt, peanuts, chilies, sugar, and dried shrimp (if using) into a coarse paste. Transfer this mixture to a large bowl.
- Add liquids and lightly crush vegetables: Mix in the fresh lime juice and fish sauce into the paste. Using a spoon or the mortar, lightly crush the coarsely chopped tomatoes and the trimmed, cut long beans (if using), then add them to the bowl and mix lightly to combine flavors.
- Prepare the papaya: Peel the green papaya, discard seeds and inner membrane, then coarsely grate or shred it to yield about 4 to 6 cups.
- Toss the salad: Add the shredded papaya to the bowl with the dressing and vegetables. Lightly but thoroughly toss everything together so the papaya absorbs the flavors. Taste and adjust seasoning with more lime juice or fish sauce if desired.
- Serve: Mound the salad in a bowl, optionally lined with lettuce leaves. Sprinkle with additional dry-roasted peanuts as garnish. Serve immediately for the freshest flavor and crunch.
Notes
- Green (unripe) papaya is best used for its firm texture and mildly sweet flavor.
- Dried shrimp is optional but adds traditional umami depth to the dressing.
- Adjust chilies according to your spice preference.
- Lettuce leaves can be used to scoop the salad for a traditional presentation.
- This salad is best served fresh to retain the crunchy texture of the papaya and beans.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Thai
Keywords: Som Tum, Green Papaya Salad, Thai Salad, Thai Cuisine, Spicy Salad, No-Cook Salad
