How to Make the Perfect Som Tum
Thai · Easy · 20 min · 2 servings
Som Tum is a bold and refreshing Thai green papaya salad that bursts with contrasting flavors of sour lime, salty fish sauce, sweet palm sugar, and fiery chilies. It is traditionally pounded in a mortar and pestle, releasing the juices and creating a deeply integrated dressing.
Why this recipe works
This Som Tum recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 20 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 180 calories with 6g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 2 cups green papaya peeled and julienned
- 10 pieces cherry tomatoes halved
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 tbsp palm sugar or brown sugar
- 3 tbsp roasted peanuts
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Papaya
Peel the green papaya and use a julienne peeler or the back of a knife to create thin, long shreds. Place them in a large bowl and set aside.
Step 2: Make the Dressing
In a mortar and pestle, pound 2 Thai bird chilies until broken down. Add fish sauce, lime juice, and palm sugar and stir until the sugar dissolves completely.
Step 3: Pound and Combine
Add the papaya shreds and tomatoes to the mortar in batches and lightly pound to bruise the ingredients and help them absorb the dressing. If you do not have a large mortar, toss everything vigorously in a bowl.
Step 4: Plate and Serve
Transfer to a serving plate and top with roasted peanuts. Serve immediately alongside sticky rice and grilled meats for a traditional Thai experience.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- green papaya → shredded green mango or kohlrabi
- palm sugar → brown sugar or coconut sugar
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Using ripe papaya which is too sweet and does not have the correct crunchy texture
- Over-pounding the salad which turns it into a mushy paste instead of a textured salad
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 180 calories, 6g protein, 22g carbs, 7g fat, 4g fiber.
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