Green Papaya Salad Som Tum

Discover the vibrant flavors of Thailand with Green Papaya Salad (Som Tum), a refreshing and zesty dish that captures the essence of Southeast Asian cuisine. This crisp salad features thin strips of shredded green papaya, crunchy long beans, juicy cherry tomatoes, and roasted peanuts, all tossed in a tangy-sweet dressing made with lime juice, fish sauce, palm sugar, and a hint of fiery bird’s eye chili. The optional addition of dried shrimp adds an extra umami punch for a more authentic touch. Prepared using a mortar and pestle, this no-cook recipe is perfect for a quick and healthy side dish or light meal, ready in just 20 minutes. Balance your palate with the irresistible medley of sweet, salty, sour, and spicy flavors that make Som Tum a global favorite!

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:20 mins

Servings: 2

Ingredients

• 1 medium-sized (about 1 lb) Green papaya
• 6 whole Cherry tomatoes
• 4 stalks Long beans or green beans
• 2 whole Garlic cloves
• 2 pieces Bird’s eye chili
• 2 tablespoons Palm sugar
• 2 tablespoons Fish sauce
• 3 tablespoons Lime juice
• 3 tablespoons Roasted peanuts
• 2 tablespoons Dried shrimp (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Peel the green papaya and shred it into thin strips using a mandoline or a shredder. Place the shredded papaya in a bowl of ice water to keep it crisp while preparing the other ingredients.

Step 2

Trim and cut the long beans or green beans into 2-inch pieces. Slice the cherry tomatoes in halves.

Step 3

In a mortar and pestle, pound the garlic cloves and bird’s eye chilies until they are crushed but not too fine. This releases their flavors.

Step 4

Add the palm sugar to the mortar and lightly pound to dissolve it. Then, add the fish sauce and lime juice, mixing well to create a balanced dressing.

Step 5

Drain the shredded green papaya and add it to the mortar along with the long beans, cherry tomatoes, roasted peanuts, and dried shrimp if using. Gently pound and toss the ingredients together to combine while ensuring they stay crisp.

Step 6

Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed, balancing the sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors to your preference.

Step 7

Transfer the salad to a serving plate or bowl. Garnish with additional roasted peanuts if desired. Serve immediately as a side dish or light meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	794.6 grams (794.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	575

Total Fat 17.10g	22%
Saturated Fat 3.10g	16%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.20g
Cholesterol 89mg	30%
Sodium 2746mg	119%
Total Carbohydrate 96.50g	35%
Dietary Fiber 13.20g	47%
Total Sugars 59.00g
Protein 23.70g	47%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 197mg	15%
Iron 4mg	22%
Potassium 2006mg	43%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 24.2%

Protein: 14.9%

Carbs: 60.8%