Cheat Som Tam | Thai Salad

Enjoy a cheat Som Tam salad that’s fast, fresh, and flavourful! Perfect for busy days, this Thai-inspired dish is a refreshing go-to when you need a quick veggie option.

One of my all-time favourite Thai dishes is Thai Papaya Salad or Som Tam (som tum/ส้มตำไทย)! I make variations of this all the time – it’s a far more simplified version that focuses on the key flavours and super quick to make with no fuss. Whenever I need a quick and easy vegetable dish to go with my meals, and I just don’t want to cook vegetables, this Cheat Som Tam is what I turn to!

If you’re looking for something fresh, zesty, absolutely bursting with flavours, this Thai-inspired salad is a must-try. Not only is it incredibly delicious, but it’s also quick and easy to make with minimal ingredients! Just a few key pantry staples to make the savoury umami, sweet, tangy, spicy salad dressing.

Why You Will Love This Cheat Som Tam

• Bursting with Flavor: The combination of savory fish sauce, sweet palm sugar, tangy lime juice, and spicy chili powder creates a harmonious explosion of Thai flavors.
• Quick and Easy: This salad comes together in no time, making it perfect for busy weeknights or a quick lunch.
• Nutritious and Refreshing: Packed with fresh vegetables, this salad is a nutritious and refreshing option, especially on hot days.
• Versatile: You can use any vegetables you have on hand, making it a great way to clear out your fridge.
• Customizable: Adjust the spice level to your preference and add your favorite protein for a more substantial meal.

Key Ingredients for Cheat Som Tam

There are just two components to Cheat Som Tam: your salad of choice, and the Thai Salad Dressing.

Vegetables / Salad Options

Green papaya is the traditional key ingredient in Som Tam salad. Its crisp texture and mild flavor make it a perfect base for the tangy, spicy dressing.

If you can’t find green papaya, don’t worry! This recipe is super flexible, and you can use whatever vegetables you have on hand. In fact that is what I usually do, because even though I can easily find green papaya here, sometimes I just can’t be bothered with the prep required!

In this recipe, I am using just long beans and cherry tomatoes.

This recipe serves 2 cups of vegetables; feel free to make your replacements!

• Green Papaya: The traditional base of the salad, providing a crisp texture.

• Long Beans and Cherry Tomatoes: Provide a crunchy and juicy texture to the salad.

Here are some great alternatives:

• Shredded Cabbage: Adds a crunchy texture and absorbs the dressing well.

• Carrots: For extra crunch and a touch of sweetness, shred or julienne them.

• Cucumbers: Thinly sliced cucumbers work great for a refreshing twist.

• Mixed Greens: Any salad greens you need to use up can be tossed in for a quick and easy variation.

The Thai Salad Dressing

• Fish Sauce: Adds a savoury, umami flavour. You can easily substitute with soy sauce.

• Palm Sugar: For a touch of sweetness. Any other sugar such as regular, brown sugar, your favourite sweetener, can be used as an alternative.

• Lime Juice: Adds brightness and acidity with a mild sweetness! Tamarind paste is a good substitute but you can replace this with lemon juice or vinegar. If using the latter, you will definitely need to adjust the sugar levels, as these replacements are a sharper sourness.

• Bird’s Eye Chillies or Chili Powder: For that essential kick of heat! Bird’s eye chillies will give a stronger kick of heat, so I tend to use chilli powder more often. If serving children, feel free to skip this. The savoury, sweet, tang dressing is also SO GOOD.

• Garlic: The main aromatic for Som Tam.

Key Steps to Making It

1. Make the Dressing

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the fish sauce, palm sugar, lime juice, minced garlic, and chili powder. Mix until the sugar is dissolved and the ingredients are well combined.

• Taste test at this stage, adjust to preference. It should taste well-balanced.

2. Prep the Vegetables

• Prepare and cut your vegetables or salad of choice, if needed. Add them straight into the mixing bowl with the dressing.

• If using green papaya, start by peeling and shredding it. You can use a julienne peeler or a food processor for this.

3. Combine the Ingredients

• Toss everything together in the mixing bowl until well combined.

• If you used tomatoes, give them a light mash with the back of the spoon, so it releases more juice!

4. Serve Immediately

• Serve in the mixing bowl straight or transfer the salad to a serving dish.

• Enjoy fresh!

How to Serve Som Tam

Som Tam is best enjoyed fresh and cold, as a side dish or a light main course.

It can also be a refreshing meal on its own. Pair with rice, or better yet, glutinous or sticky rice! Eat this Thai-style by dipping the rice in the dressing!

It pairs wonderfully with grilled meats (such as with Gai Yang or Thai ‘Grilled’ Chicken) and seafood. For a more substantial dish, add cooked shrimp, grilled chicken, or tofu.

Tips and Tricks

• Crunchy Additions: For added crunch, add roasted peanuts or cashews, or Khao Kua or toasted rice powder.

• Adjusting Spice Levels: Som Tam is known for its spiciness! Start with a small amount of chili powder and adjust to taste. If you are serving children, feel free to skip!

• Alternative Vegetables: If you can’t find green papaya, shredded cabbage, carrots, or cucumbers make great substitutes.