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