Easy Thai Papaya Salad (Som Tum) – 15-Minute Recipe
Thai papaya salad, also known as Som Tum, is a refreshing and flavourful dish that’s quick to make and perfect for a light meal or side. Traditionally made with a mortar and pestle, this recipe also includes an easy alternative using a bowl and spoon, so everyone can enjoy it at home.
Servings 2
Ingredients
- 1½ cups of green papaya
- 5 cherry tomatoes halved or quartered
- 5 long beans cut into 2-inch pieces
- 3 cloves of garlic
- Thai chillies adjust to taste
- 3 tbsp of lime juice
- 1 tbsp palm sugar
- ½ tbsp brown sugar
- 1½ tbsp fish sauce
- optional: dried shrimp, peanuts
Instructions
- Peel and shred the green papaya. Halve or quarter the cherry tomatoes. Cut the long beans into 2-inch pieces.
- In a mortar and pestle, pound the garlic and fresh chillies into small pieces. If you don’t have a mortar and pestle, mince the garlic and chillies and use a large bowl and a spoon to mix and press the ingredients.
- Add the cherry tomatoes and gently press to release their juice. Mix lightly with the pestle or spoon.
- Add fish sauce, palm sugar, brown sugar, and lime juice. Mix everything together until well combined.
- Lightly pound or press the long beans to bruise them slightly.
- Fold in the shredded green papaya and mix everything together with a spoon.
- Serve on its own, or pair it with sticky rice, grilled chicken, or fresh vegetables like cucumber or cabbage to help balance the spice.