How to Make the Perfect Thai Green Papaya Salad
Thai · Easy · 15 min · 2 servings
This vibrant Thai street food classic combines shredded unripe papaya with a bold dressing of lime, fish sauce, and chilies. It is a perfect balance of sour, sweet, salty, and spicy flavors that will awaken your senses.
Why this recipe works
This Thai Green Papaya Salad recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 15 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 120 calories with 4g 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 shredded green papaya
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp palm sugar
- 2 whole red chilies
- 0.25 cup roasted peanuts
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Papaya
Peel and shred the green papaya using a box grater or julienne peeler into thin matchstick pieces. Place into a large mixing bowl.
Step 2: Make the Dressing
Whisk together the fish sauce, lime juice, and palm sugar in a small bowl until the sugar dissolves completely.
Step 3: Combine Ingredients
Add the sliced red chilies to the papaya, pour the dressing over everything, and toss well to coat all the shreds evenly.
Step 4: Garnish and Serve
Transfer the salad to serving plates and top generously with roasted peanuts. Serve immediately for the best texture.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- fish sauce → soy sauce for a vegan version
- palm sugar → brown sugar or honey
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Using ripe papaya instead of green papaya which ruins the crunchy texture
- Over-dressing the salad which makes it too salty and soggy
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 120 calories, 4g protein, 18g carbs, 3g fat, 3g fiber.
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