Thai spicy green papaya salad with peanuts and lime
Som Tum (Green Papaya Salad)
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
0 min
Total Time
15 min
Servings
2
2 servings
Difficulty
Easy
Cost
Budget
$
Som Tum (Green Papaya Salad)
Thai spicy green papaya salad with peanuts and lime
★4.5(13)
A vibrant, punchy salad of shredded green papaya pounded with chilies, lime, fish sauce, and palm sugar. Crunchy, spicy, sour, and sweet all at once.
15m
Prep Time
0m
Cook Time
15m
Total Time
2
Servings
Easy
Difficulty
Budget $
Cost
Sarah Chen
(Updated )
Som tum is the salad that defines Thai flavor balance—a mortar-pounded creation where each ingredient is bruised to release its juices. Every bite is an explosion of contrasting flavors.
Thai cooking achieves a remarkable balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy in every dish. This recipe brings those layered flavors to your home kitchen.
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded green papaya
- 4 cloves garlic
- 4 Thai bird chilies
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp palm sugar
Instructions
- 1
Pound garlic and chilies in a mortar until crushed. Add long beans (cut into 1-inch pieces) and bruise lightly.
- 2
Add palm sugar, fish sauce, and lime juice. Pound and mix to dissolve the sugar.
- 3
Add shredded green papaya and bruise lightly, turning and mixing with a spoon.
- 4
Add halved cherry tomatoes and crushed peanuts. Toss everything together gently.
- 5
Taste and adjust the balance of sour, sweet, salty, and spicy. Serve immediately with sticky rice.
Serving Suggestions
Ways to Serve This Dish
Serve over steamed jasmine or sticky rice
Pair with a side of pickled vegetables or kimchi
Add a drizzle of sesame oil and toasted sesame seeds for extra flavor
Serve as a light main course or alongside grilled protein
Substitutions
Green papayaGreen mango
More tart but equally crunchy and refreshing
Fish sauceSoy sauce
Makes it vegetarian-friendly; add a dash of lime for acidity
Tips & Storage
Pro Tips
Use a julienne peeler or mandoline to shred the papaya into thin, even strips.
Pound gently—you want to bruise the papaya, not mash it into a paste.
Dry your greens thoroughly — water on the leaves dilutes the dressing and makes everything soggy.
Dress your salad just before serving. Pre-dressed salads wilt quickly, especially delicate greens.
Storage
Best eaten immediately. Can be refrigerated for a few hours but will soften.
Reheating
Salads are best enjoyed fresh and do not require reheating. If you have leftover dressed salad, it may be slightly wilted but still edible within a few hours.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (0mg) · 2 servings
Calories120
LowModerateHigh
A light, low-calorie option · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Protein4g
Carbohydrates2g
Fat24g
Fiber780mg
Sugar3g
Sodium14g
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What if I cannot find green papaya?
- Shredded green mango, kohlrabi, or carrots make good substitutes.
- How spicy should it be?
- Traditional versions are very spicy; start with 1-2 chilies and add more to taste.
Explore More
About Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.
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