Description
Thai Green Papaya Salad with Grilled Prawns is a refreshing yet hearty Thai dish made with shredded unripe papaya, fresh vegetables, herbs, crushed peanuts, and a bold, tangy dressing of lime, fish sauce, garlic, chili, and palm sugar. It’s topped with smoky grilled prawns, which add protein and richness, turning this light salad into a complete meal.
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 1 medium green papaya, peeled and shredded
- 1–2 carrots, julienned
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup green beans, blanched and chopped
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves
- ¼ cup fresh mint leaves
- ¼ cup roasted peanuts, crushed
- 2 Thai red chilies, minced (adjust to taste)
- Optional: 1 tbsp dried shrimp
For the Dressing:
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 2 tbsp Thai fish sauce (nam pla)
- 1 tbsp palm sugar or brown sugar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Optional: 1 tsp tamarind paste for extra tang
For the Grilled Prawns:
- 500g large prawns, peeled and deveined
- 2 tbsp Thai sweet chili sauce
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp curry powder
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tbsp chopped mint or Thai basil
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Dressing
Use a mortar and pestle to pound garlic, chilies, and palm sugar into a paste.
Add lime juice and fish sauce, stirring until sugar dissolves.
Optional: add tamarind paste for a tangy boost.
👉 The dressing should be balanced: salty, sour, sweet, and spicy.
Step 2: Prep the Papaya and Vegetables
Shred papaya using a julienne peeler or box grater.
Combine with carrots, cherry tomatoes, blanched green beans, cilantro, and mint.
Add dried shrimp if desired.
Step 3: Grill the Prawns
Mix sweet chili sauce, hoisin, lime juice, soy sauce, curry powder, and ground ginger.
Marinate prawns for 20 minutes.
Grill over medium heat until pink and slightly charred.
👉 Don’t overcook—the prawns should be tender and juicy.
Step 4: Toss and Assemble
Mix shredded vegetables with dressing.
Let sit 10 minutes for flavors to meld.
Top with grilled prawns and crushed peanuts.
Step 5: Serve
Garnish with mint, cilantro, and lime wedges.
Serve with sticky rice or noodles for a complete meal.
Notes
This Thai Green Papaya Salad with Grilled Prawns is fresh, zesty, and full of bold flavors. It makes a light yet satisfying dish, perfect for summer lunches, barbecues, or as a refreshing appetizer.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Grilled + Tossed
- Cuisine: Thai
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx.)
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: High
Keywords: Som Tam with Grilled Prawns, Papaya Salad with Prawns, Thai Som Tum Recipe with Prawns