Appetizer · Salad · Thai ·

Refreshing Thai Som Tam

Name: Refreshing Thai Som Tam
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Appetizer
Ingredients: 1 green papaya, peeled and julienned; 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved; 1/2 cup green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces; 1/4 cup roasted peanuts, roughly chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 Thai chili, sliced; 2 tablespoons fish sauce; 2 tablespoons lime juice, freshly squeezed; 1 tablespoon palm sugar, grated

A vibrant and zesty Thai salad featuring crunchy green papaya, tangy lime, and a hint of spice for a refreshing taste.

4.2(830 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·August 9, 2025

Refreshing Thai Som Tam — Appetizer served and photographed from above

Prep

10 min

Cook

30 min

Difficulty

Easy

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Salad

For the Dressing

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 118 kcal
Protein: 4.5 g
Carbs: 16.8 g
Fat: 4.9 g
Fiber: 3.3 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 470 kcal
Protein: 17.9 g
Carbs: 67 g
Fat: 19.5 g
Fiber: 13 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
1 green papaya peeled and julienned	120	3	30	1	5
1 cup cherry tomatoes halved	30	1	7	0.5	2
1/2 cup green beans cut into 1-inch pieces	20	1	5	0	2
1/4 cup roasted peanuts roughly chopped	210	9	7	18	3
2 cloves garlic minced	10	0.5	2	0	0.5
1 Thai chili sliced	5	0.2	1	0	0.5
2 tablespoons fish sauce	20	3	0	0	0
2 tablespoons lime juice freshly squeezed	10	0.2	3	0	0
1 tablespoon palm sugar grated	45	0	12	0	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Prepping the Vegetables

1
Julienne & Soak Papaya
Julienne the green papaya and soak it in cold water for 5 minutes to keep it crisp.
2
Prepare Cherry Tomatoes
Halve the cherry tomatoes and set aside.
3
Trim & Blanch Green Beans
Trim and cut the green beans into 1-inch pieces. Blanch them for 2 minutes and cool immediately in ice water.

Making the Dressing

1
Crush Garlic & Chili
In a mortar and pestle, gently crush the garlic and Thai chili.
Tip: Using a mortar and pestle will enhance the flavors by releasing essential aromas from the ingredients. Be careful when handling Thai chili; wash your hands immediately after to avoid irritation.
2
Combine Dressing Ingredients
Add the fish sauce, lime juice, and palm sugar, and mix until the sugar is dissolved completely.
3
Adjust Seasoning
Taste and adjust seasoning according to your preference.
Tip: Adjust the number of chilies based on your spice tolerance to enjoy this dish to the fullest.

How to Make Refreshing Thai Som Tam

Total time: 40 min · Yields 4 servings

1
Mixing
Combine the papaya with tomatoes and green beans in a large bowl and toss lightly.
2
Dressing the Salad
Pour the dressing over the salad and mix gently to combine all ingredients well.
3
Finishing Touches
Sprinkle chopped roasted peanuts on top before serving.