Raw Papaya and Mango Salad | Vegan Thai Raw Papaya Salad with Mango

Thai Raw Papaya Salad Recipe with Raw Mango | How to make Som Tam Salad

Vegan and Gluten-free(friendly) Raw Papaya Mango Salad (Tom Sam)

About the Recipe

Thai inspired Raw Papaya Salad (SOM TAM) with ripe and raw mangoes and crunchy peanuts. A light, cool, juicy, crunchy meal for hot summer days. We love the flavors of the salad. A bit sweet, a bit tangy and a bit spicy and so delicious.

Perfect for hot summer days when all you want is some yummy quick 10 minute and refreshing meal light on tummy. Even my kids especially my teenage daughter loves it, who has recently discovered her love for salads.

Variation of Som Tam Salad

Traditional THAI RAW PAPAYA SALAD has no mangoes. There is a different recipe for Thai Raw Mango Salad known as Yam Mumuang but whenever I have raw mango in my refrigerator I love to add to this salad too. So, basically this is an adapted version of green papaya and raw mango salad.

And when it's mango season, why not add a bit of sweet mangoes to perk up the flavors!!

It may not be the authentic Thai Salad recipe as I have adapted it to my family's taste and the availabity of ingredients but tastes just like the one from your favourite Thai Restaurant. And, trust me try out this variation of Thai Raw Papaya Salad my way and you will definitely go nuts over it.

The recipe is quite adaptable and you can adjust the ingredients as per the availabity and your taste preferences.

Ingredients for Thai Raw Papaya and Mango Salad

Raw Papaya- Very thin stipes using sharp knife are cut and added to salad. But I have grated it in food processor.

Papaya is one of the best stomach cleanser. It is known as the internal broom or the digestive tract and colon. Raw papaya and ripe papaya have enzymes that break down the fats and proteins. Any chronic old constipation problem can be cured by including papaya in your daily diet. 

Raw Papaya is abundantly available in Asian countries as it is widely consumed in various preparations. In US and other European countries you can get it at Indian and other Asian grocery stores.

Choose raw papaya with green vibrant skin that shows no yellow or light green marks. These marks show that the papaya has started to ripen which is not good enough to use in salads. You can use that kind in curries or making cutlets.

Raw Mango and Ripe Mango- Raw Mango adds a tanginess and ripe mango adds a sweet taste. My kids love the addition of ripe mango, so I add it in summer salads.

Use any locally available variety of mangoes.

Green raw mango can be substituted with an unripe mango.

Other Vegetables- Raw Papaya is one of the main ingredient here. You can use other veggies as per the availabity like cherry tomatoes, carrots, beans, lettuce, bell peppers( I prefer red one). I have also added thickly grated cucumber here.

Moong Sprouts is another common ingredient added in Thai Salads. I have skipped it here. You can add any sprouts of your choice like alfa alfa, black chickpea or even fenugreek.

Roasted Peanuts- Coarsely crushed roasted skinned peanuts add a nice crunch and also add protein to the salad. For those who peanut allergy, you can substitute with salted and roasted cashew nuts.

Oil-Use sesame oil or any other good vegetable oil like olive. I have skipped it as my kids get the strong aftertaste of this oil.

Ingredients for dressing

Soy Sauce(use tamari sauce for gluten-free salad), Garlic cloves, Lemon, Brown Sugar/Jaggery, Chili Flakes and Thai Red Chillies.

Herbs- Use herbs of your choice. I have used cilantro/ fresh coriander here. Also, love adding fresh basil/mint to it.

I have used green chilies here as I could not source Thai Red Chillies due to the current lockdown.

Instead of brown sugar or jaggery powder you can add raw cane sugar, maple syrup or honey (then it won't be vegan salad).

Lemon can be substituted with rice vinegar.

How to make Thai Raw Papaya and Mango Salad

Checkout my quick video and recipe on how to make Thai Raw Papaya and Raw Mango Salad

Prepare the dressing.

Prepare veggies. Traditionally way is to cut papaya and other additional veggies in thin stripes or sticks. But I usually use my food processor to grate the veggies. You can grate papaya, carrot, cucumber using a mandoline.

Or, cut raw papaya, red bell pepper, mango in thin sticks/ slices. You can also finely chop these veggies and add in salad.

Simply mix all the veggies. Add finely chopped cilantro for garnish.

Serving Suggestions and Storage

Thai Raw Papaya Salad can be enjoyed on it's own or serve it with tikkas, kebabs, grilled veggies or other non-vegetarian starter options. We also love to have it with pulao and other rice preparations.

If making ahead, prepare the the veggies(expect cucumber) and refrigerate, till serving time. Add dressing only at the time of serving. Else, the veggies leave water and you won't like the texture of the salad.

Related Recipes-- Basil Pesto Paneer Tikka, Chana Dal and Yam Kebabs, Grilled Veggies, Rajma and Palak Cutlets

Other salad Recipes from the blog-- Refreshing Greek Salad,

Vegan Chickpea Salad,

Pasta Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette,

Kachumber Salad,

Vegetarian Black Bean Salad

Dilli Style Fruit Chaat

Fresh Fruit Salad with Orange Dressing

More Thai Recipes from the blog

Recipe Card

Do try this Thai Raw Papaya and Mango Salad my way. A delicious light snack for your whole family. Adjust the ingredients as per the people and your taste preferences. When making for kids skip red chilli powder.

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Swati