Tangy Thai Green Papaya Salad
Experience the vibrant flavors of Thailand with this refreshing Tangy Thai Green Papaya Salad. This dish offers a delightful combination of crunchy veggies, zesty lime, and a hint of heat from bird's eye chilies. Perfectly balanced with the sweetness of jaggery and the umami depth of fish sauce, this easy-to-make salad can be enjoyed as a light meal or a zesty side dish. In just under 30 minutes, you can create a beautiful and delicious salad that captivates the senses. Serve it fresh with roasted peanuts on top for added crunch and flavor. Great for sharing with family and friends, this salad captures the essence of Thai cuisine.
2
Servings
190
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Fresh bird's eye chilies
3 (whole)
Garlic cloves
5 (whole)
Yard-long beans
1 (cut into 1 1/2-inch lengths)
Plum tomatoes
2 (diced)
Jaggery, palm sugar, or light brown sugar
1 tablespoon (as preferred)
Roasted peanuts
1 tablespoon (crushed for garnish)
Dried shrimp
1 tablespoon (whole)
Fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon (freshly squeezed)
Limes
2 (cut into wedges)
Fish sauce
1 tablespoon (as preferred)
Julienned papayas, green mango, or jicama
2/3 cup (julienned)
Instructions
1
In a mortar and pestle, pound the fresh bird's eye chilies and garlic cloves together until they form a paste.
2
Add the yard-long beans to the mortar and lightly crush them to release their flavor.
3
Stir in the diced plum tomatoes, jaggery or sugar, roasted peanuts, dried shrimp, fresh lime juice, the lime wedges, and fish sauce until everything is well combined and the sugar has dissolved.
4
Gently fold in the julienned papayas (or your choice of green mango or jicama) into the mixture, ensuring the ingredients are evenly coated.
5
Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary, then serve the salad fresh on a plate, garnished with additional crushed peanuts if desired.
Nutrition Information
6.5g
Fat
27.5g
Carbs
5g
Protein
4g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tangy Thai Green Papaya Salad?
It is a refreshing and vibrant Thai salad known for its balance of spicy, sour, sweet, and salty flavors, featuring crunchy green papaya.
How long does it take to make this salad?
This recipe is quick and easy, taking less than 30 minutes to prepare.
What are the primary ingredients in the salad?
The main ingredients include julienned green papaya, bird's eye chilies, garlic, yard-long beans, plum tomatoes, peanuts, and dried shrimp.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes 2 servings.
What can I use as a substitute for green papaya?
If green papaya is unavailable, you can use julienned green mango or jicama.
Is this recipe spicy?
Yes, it includes 3 bird's eye chilies, which provide a significant level of heat.
Can I make this salad vegan?
To make it vegan, omit the dried shrimp and replace the fish sauce with a vegan-friendly soy sauce or seaweed-based alternative.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 190 calories.
What equipment is needed to prepare the salad?
A mortar and pestle is recommended for pounding the chilies, garlic, and beans to release their flavors.
What is the carbohydrate content per serving?
There are 27.5g of carbohydrates per serving.
What is the fat content in this salad?
This salad contains 6.5g of fat per serving.
How much protein is in a serving?
Each serving provides 5g of protein.
Does this salad contain fiber?
Yes, there are 4g of dietary fiber per serving.
What kind of sugar should I use?
The recipe suggests jaggery, palm sugar, or light brown sugar.
How should I prepare the yard-long beans?
The yard-long beans should be cut into 1.5-inch lengths and lightly crushed.
What provides the tangy flavor in this dish?
The tanginess comes from fresh lime juice and lime wedges mixed into the dressing.
Can I use a food processor instead of a mortar and pestle?
While a mortar and pestle is preferred for texture, you can pulse the ingredients briefly or crush them manually to avoid over-processing.
What type of tomatoes are best for this recipe?
Plum tomatoes are recommended, diced before being added to the mixture.
Should the peanuts be roasted?
Yes, roasted peanuts are used both in the salad and as a crushed garnish for added crunch.
Is this dish served hot or cold?
This is a cold dish, intended to be served fresh and crisp.
How many garlic cloves are required?
The recipe calls for 5 whole garlic cloves.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to pound the bird's eye chilies and garlic together in a mortar and pestle until they form a paste.
Is this salad suitable for a side dish?
Yes, it can be served as a light meal or as a zesty side dish to complement other Thai courses.
Can I adjust the seasoning?
Yes, after folding in the papaya, you should taste and adjust the sweetness, acidity, or saltiness as needed.
Is the dried shrimp essential?
The dried shrimp adds umami and saltiness, but it can be omitted if you have a shellfish allergy or want a vegetarian version.
How do I prepare the garlic?
The garlic cloves are used whole and pounded with the chilies.
How much lime juice is needed?
The recipe requires 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lime juice plus additional lime wedges.
What makes the salad crunchy?
The crunch comes from the julienned green papaya, yard-long beans, and roasted peanuts.
Is this salad healthy?
Yes, it is low in calories, high in fiber, and packed with fresh vegetables.
Can I store leftovers of the papaya salad?
It is best served fresh because the lime juice and salt will cause the papaya to release water and lose its crunch over time.