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Som Tum (Thai Green Papaya Salad)

Authentic Thai Som Tum recipe makes a crunchy, tangy, and sweet Green Papaya Salad that's perfect for summer! Enjoy as an appetizer or light side dish.

Prep Time
25 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 77 kcal
Course: Side Dish , Salad
Cuisine: Asian , Thai

Ingredients

  • 1 green papaya hard unripened
  • 4-5 cloves garlic peeled
  • 4-5 scallions green and white ends separated
  • 2-4 Thai bird chiles seeded and sliced
  • 3 tablespoon dry roasted peanuts
  • 3 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 1 lime zested and juices
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • ½ cup long beans snake beans, or skinny green beans cut into 1 inch segments
  • 1 plum or roma tomato seeded and chopped

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Prep the Papaya: Use a vegetable peeler to peel the papaya. Then cut the hard flesh into long “julienne” slivers. Do this by using a julienne tool, or by tapping a large chef's knife rapidly over the surface of the papaya, making many slashes in the same direction. Then shave them off, perpendicular to the slashes. You will need 6-7 cups of julienne papaya total.
  2. Place the papaya slaw in a large bowl. Then pile ice over the papaya and fill the bowl with cold water. Let the slaw soak in the cold water to firm for 10-15 minutes while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
  3. Set out a mortar and pestle. Place the garlic cloves, the white ends of the scallions, and the chopped chiles in the bowl. Use the pestle to smash the ingredients until very soft and broken. Then add in the peanuts and lime zest. Smash and break the peanuts into fine pieces.
  4. Now pour in the fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, long bean segments and tomatoes. Mix and smash all the ingredients together.
  5. Once the papaya has soaked for at least 10 minutes, drain off the ice and water. Move the papaya to a large salad bowl. Pour the dressing mixture over the papaya. Toss well to coat.
  6. Chop the scallion greens and sprinkle over the salad. Sprinkle additional chopped peanuts over the top if desired. Chill until ready to serve.

Notes

  • You can find green papayas, long beans, thai chiles, and fish sauce at all Asian markets, and many large grocery stores with a good “international” section.
  • You can find green papayas, long beans, thai chiles, and fish sauce at all Asian markets, and many large grocery stores with a good “international” section.
  • This salad can also be made with green mangos.
  • This salad can also be made with green mangos.
  • This recipe is really great for making ahead of time. Kept covered in the refrigerator, Green Papaya Salad will keep well for at least a week.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1cup Calories 77kcal (4%) Carbohydrates 12g (4%) Protein 3g (6%) Fat 3g (5%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 1g Sodium 747mg (31%) Potassium 239mg (7%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 7g (14%) Vitamin A 731IU (15%) Vitamin C 42mg (47%) Calcium 35mg (4%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 77

% Daily Value*

Serving 1cup
Calories 77kcal 4%
Carbohydrates 12g 4%
Protein 3g 6%
Fat 3g 5%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 1g 5%
Sodium 747mg 31%
Potassium 239mg 5%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 7g 14%
Vitamin A 731IU 15%
Vitamin C 42mg 47%
Calcium 35mg 4%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.