Fresh and Zesty Green Papaya Salad

This refreshing Thai-inspired salad is perfect for anyone who loves bright, bold flavors that wake up your taste buds! It’s incredibly light and healthy, making it the perfect side dish or light meal that won’t weigh you down.

Recipe Details

Timing & Servings: Cook Time: 35 minutes, Total Time: 35 minutes, Serves: 6 people with generous 2/3 cup servings each.

Nutrition Profile: Low-Carb, Dairy-Free, Low-Fat, Gluten-Free, Low-Calorie

Nutrition Facts (per serving): 55 Calories, 0g Fat, 13g Carbs, 1g Protein

Ingredients You’ll Need

Lime zest: You’ll need 1/4 teaspoon of freshly grated lime zest, which adds that amazing citrus pop. Fresh is always best here!

Lime juice: About 1/4 cup of fresh lime juice gives this salad its tangy backbone. You’ll probably need 2-3 limes depending on how juicy they are.

Palm sugar: 2 tablespoons of finely chopped palm sugar, or you can use packed brown sugar if that’s what you have. This sweetness balances out all the tangy and spicy flavors perfectly.

Fish sauce: 2 tablespoons of fish sauce brings that deep, savory umami flavor that makes this salad so addictive.

Hawaiian chiles: Use as much or as little as you like! Any fresh hot chiles work great – just adjust to your heat preference.

Green papaya: 3 cups of matchstick-cut or julienned green papaya is the star of the show. It’s crunchy and slightly sweet.

Sweet onion: 1/2 cup of very thinly sliced Maui or other sweet onion adds a gentle bite without being too sharp.

Pea shoots: 1/2 cup of pea shoots cut into 3-inch pieces, or you can use bean sprouts for extra crunch.

Black pepper: Freshly ground pepper to taste – just a sprinkle right before serving.

How to Make Green Papaya Salad

Step 1: Whisk together the lime zest, lime juice, sugar, fish sauce, and minced chiles in a large bowl. Make sure you whisk really well so the sugar dissolves completely. This creates your amazing dressing base.

Step 2: Add the julienned papaya, sliced onion, and pea shoots to your vinaigrette. Toss everything together gently but thoroughly so every piece gets coated with that delicious dressing. Sprinkle with fresh pepper right before you serve it.

Easy and Quick Green Papaya Salad Version

Want to make this even faster? You can buy pre-shredded papaya from many Asian markets! Just grab a bag of pre-cut green papaya and you’ll save tons of prep time. You can also use bottled lime juice in a pinch, though fresh really does taste better.

Serving Ideas

This salad is perfect as a light lunch all by itself, or serve it alongside grilled chicken or fish. It pairs beautifully with sticky rice or even just some warm pita bread. The fresh, crunchy texture makes it a great side for any heavy or rich main dish.

Storage

The dressed salad is best eaten right away since the vegetables will start to get soggy. But here’s a great tip – you can make the vinaigrette up to a week ahead and store it covered in the fridge. Just toss with the fresh vegetables when you’re ready to eat!

Substitutions

Can’t find green papaya? No worries! Regular ripe papaya works great too, or you can try julienned green mango or even cucumber. If you don’t have fish sauce, try soy sauce with a pinch of salt. Brown sugar is a perfect swap for palm sugar.

Pro Tips

• Get the right cut: Those thin matchstick cuts are key! They help the dressing coat everything perfectly.
• Taste as you go: Start with less chile and add more – you can always make it spicier!
• Make extra dressing: This vinaigrette is amazing on grilled meats and other salads too.
• Serve immediately: This salad is all about that fresh, crispy texture.

FAQs

Where can I find green papaya?

You can usually find green papaya at Asian grocery stores or markets. It’s just unripe papaya that’s still green and firm. If you can’t find it, regular ripe papaya still tastes delicious in this recipe!

What’s palm sugar and do I really need it?

Palm sugar is an unrefined sweetener that tastes similar to brown sugar. You can find it at Asian markets or online, but brown sugar works perfectly fine as a substitute. No need to stress about finding the exact ingredient!

Can I make this ahead of time?

The vinaigrette keeps great in the fridge for up to a week, but it’s best to add the vegetables right before serving. This keeps everything nice and crunchy!

How spicy is this salad?

That’s totally up to you! Start with just a tiny bit of chile and taste. You can always add more heat, but you can’t take it away. Make it as mild or as fiery as you like!

I hope you love this bright and refreshing salad as much as I do! Let me know how yours turns out – I always love hearing about your cooking adventures. Happy cooking, friend!