“Faux” Green Papaya Salad
Green papaya salads have always been my go to order in any Thai restaurant. They are light and refreshing and have so much great salty, spicy and flavour.
Unfortunately finding a green papaya outside of a Thai restaurant is similar to spotting a unicorn. I have searched farmers markets, vegetable stands and Asian markets high and low for years and have yet to find one.
Last week, I was walking through Chinatown when I spotted a green papaya outside a grocery store. Passing tourists must have thought I had just won the lottery I was celebrating so much. I ran home and made this green papaya salad and realized 1) Green papaya salads are soooo good and 2) I needed to find an alternate ingredient that I could use in place of green papaya so that I can make this salad more often.
I experimented with a few different options including cucumber and cabbage, but this green apple version, was an absolute winner. The sweetness of the fruit works wonderfully with the sauce and the juicy texture of the apple is very similar to shredded green papaya.
To be honest… I actually liked the apple version more then green papaya. As you can see below the two fruits when julienned look very similar.
Traditionally the green papaya is pounded in a pestle and mortar until bruised to help release its sweet juices, but when making this with apple its best to skip that step to prevent ending up with Thai apple sauce.
Dried shrimp are typically a staple ingredient in a green papaya salad but I haven’t included them as they are also quite hard to find. If you want to make this recipe vegan, you can replace the fish sauce with soy sauce, tamari or coconut aminos to create a similar tasting sauce.
The salad on the square plate is made with green papaya, and the rectangular one with apple. Both versions of this salad keep incredibly well in the fridge and the lime juice helps stop the shredded apple from turning brown. I love making a big batch of this salad to enjoy for lunch over a few days, but it would also be wonderful served alongside a green curry for dinner.
If you make this recipe let me know in the comment section below, I would love to hear what you think or take a photo and tag me (@everylastbite_) on Instagram, I love seeing your photos!
"Faux" Green Papaya Salad
Ingredients
- 1 green papaya or 3 green apples
- 1 chilli finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 tbsp fish sauce (use tamari or coconut aminos if vegan)
- 1 tbsp honey (sub 1 medjool date if Whole30)
- 1 1/2 tbsp lime juice
- 1/2 tbsp tamarind paste
- 1/3 cup cherry tomates halved
- 4 green beans halved
- 1 carrot cut into matchsticks
- 2 tbsp chopped salted peanuts or cashews
- 2 tbsp chopped cilantro
- 2 tbsp chopped thai basil optional
Instructions
- If using green papaya, peel off the skin and then use a julienne to cut the papaya. Alternatively you can also use a cheese greater to shred the papaya.
- If using apples, cut off the peel and then quarter and core the apples. Cut the apple into slices and then cut each slice into long thin pieces like a matchstick.
- In a pestle and mortar combine the chilli, garlic (and date if Whole30) and pound into a paste then add in the fish sauce, honey, lime juice and tamarind paste and blend.
- Place the green beans and tomatoes in the pestle and mortar and gently pound to slightly bruise. Transfer the tomatoes and green beans to a bowl.
- If using green papaya, add it to the pestle and mortar and pound to infuse the sauce into the fruit. If using apple you can skip this step as the shredded apple will bruise too easily and become mush.
- In a large bowl combine the green papaya/apple, sauce, shredded carrots, tomatoes, beans and chopped nuts. Toss to combine and then sprinkle with chopped cilantro and optionally thai basil before serving.
Thank you! This sounds like the best green papaya (or faux papaya) salad version I’ve seen, and love that you’ve made it Whole30 compliant. One question, though: in the Recipe Notes, you have “* omit if Whole30”, which is great. BUT… that is the only asterisk (*) on the page! Am I missing something?
Thanks for pointing that out!! It was meant to be in reference to the honey but the honey can actually be swapped for a medjool date to be Whole30 compliant. Let me know if you make this salad, its one of my favourties 🙂
Omg thank you soooooo much for the green apple idea!! I love this salad and finding a green papaya is exactly how you described.. virtually impossible!! I haven’t tried your recipe yet.. but trust me I am first thing in the morning!! 😂❤️❤️👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
The green papaya salad you make is very appealing. I really love this salad. great snacks.
This was delicious- I have been looking for a green papaya for so long, willing to try anything. Green apple was perfect – thanks for the recommendation!