My Recipe Box

Vegetable Som Tam Salad

A refreshing and spicy Thai salad made from shredded vegetables, this vegetarian version of Som Tam is perfect for those looking for a lighter, plant-based alternative.
Image 1
Image 2
Image 3
Image 4
Image 5
Image 6
MEDIUM
Prep: 15-20 mins
Cook: 0-0 mins
Serves: 4
Author: Lamia111

4.4 / 5 (880)


Ingredients

Vegetables
  • papaya

    2 cups

  • carrots

    1 cup

  • cucumber

    1 cup

Spices and Seasonings
  • chili peppers

    a few

  • peanuts

    1 tablespoon

  • tomatoes

    1 cup

Dressing
  • tamarind paste

    2 tablespoons

  • fish sauce

    1 tablespoon

  • lime juice

    2 tablespoons


Instructions

  • 1
    Shred the papaya and carrots into long, thin strips and place them in a large bowl.

    To start, you need to prepare your main ingredients. Peel the papaya and carrots, and using a shredder or a sharp knife, create long, thin strips. This is crucial for the texture of the salad. Place these strips into a large bowl where you will eventually mix everything together.

  • 2
    Add the cucumber, chilies, peanuts, and tomatoes to the bowl.

    Next, slice the cucumber into similar long strips, and add it to the bowl. Also, thinly slice the chili peppers and add them as well. Be cautious with the amount of chili peppers you use, depending on your desired level of spiciness. Then, chop the peanuts coarsely and add them to the bowl for crunch. Lastly, chop the tomatoes into small pieces and add them to the mix.

  • 3
    Prepare the dressing by mixing tamarind paste, fish sauce, and lime juice in a small bowl.

    In a separate, small bowl, mix together the tamarind paste, fish sauce, and lime juice. This dressing is what brings all the flavors of the salad together. The tamarind paste gives a sour taste, the fish sauce adds saltiness, and the lime juice provides freshness. Mix these ingredients well until they are fully incorporated.

  • 4
    Pour the dressing over the salad and mix everything together.

    Now, it's time to bring your salad to life. Pour the dressing you've prepared over the vegetables and other ingredients in the large bowl. Use your hands or a large spoon to mix everything together, ensuring all the ingredients are well coated with the dressing.

  • 5
    Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.

    Finally, take a small portion of the salad and taste it. Depending on your taste preferences, you might need to add more chili for spiciness, more lime juice for freshness, or more tamarind paste for sourness. Make the necessary adjustments to perfect the flavor.

Ratings & Reviews

User Ratings

5

549

4

189

3

69

2

67

1

6

Reviews

  • RadaP1975

    I try this salad, Vegetable Som Tam. It very different from food I grow up with, like pierogies and borscht. Som Tam salad is... how you say... fresh and crunchy. I like peanuts and tomatoes, they add nice texture. But for me, it is too spicy. I no like when food make my mouth burn. I add little sour from tamarind paste, but it not my favorite. I think people who like spicy food, they will love Som Tam salad. For me, it is okay, but I miss my hearty, comforting dishes. Maybe I try again, but with less chili pepper.

  • AishP90

    I am beset with mixed emotions vis-a-vis this Vegetable Som Tam Salad, as it traverses the gamut of flavours, albeit in a distinctively Thai paradigm. As an aficionado of Indian cuisine, I found the amalgamation of tamarind paste, chili peppers, and lime juice to be redolent of the piquant flavours I have grown accustomed to. Nonetheless, the lack of a fiery curry dimension, which is a staple of my gastronomical predilections, has left me somewhat underwhelmed. It is also worth noting that the presence of fish sauce would likely necessitate a substitute in my culinary endeavors, owing to my lactose intolerance being supplanted by a vegan predilection in this instance. Ultimately, I would aver that this recipe merits 4 stars, primarily due to its ingenious employment of crunchy peanuts and fresh carrots, which served to elevate the overall epicurean experience.

  • Fati2001

    I like this Vegetable Som Tam Salad recipe. It is good for diabetic people like me because it has vegetables and no sugar. I also like trying new foods from different cultures, and this salad is from Thailand. The ingredients are fresh and healthy, but I wish there was no fish sauce because it is not halal. Maybe I can use something else instead. The instructions are clear and easy to follow, but some words are difficult for me to understand. I like that the recipe tells me to taste and adjust, this is important for people with diabetes who need to control their food. Overall, I think this recipe is good and I want to try it with some changes to make it halal.

  • MiaG10

    Me encant贸 esta receta de ensalada Som Tam 馃馃尞! Me gust贸 que fuera vegetariana y no tuviera carne, 隆pero ten铆a un poco de preocupaci贸n con la salsa de pescado 馃悷! Tendr铆a que encontrar una alternativa vegetarianapara esa parte de la receta 馃. La combinaci贸n de sabores y texturas me parece interesante, con el toque picante de los chiles y la frescura de la lima 馃挍. 隆Creo que mi esposo lo disfrutar铆a mucho tambi茅n! 馃帀 Pero, tengo que admitir, me cost贸 un poco leer toda la receta y entender los pasos 馃檲. En general, creo que vale la pena intentarlo con algunas modificaciones 馃専

  • AishaTheGreat22

    Just made this salad and its pretty good!! I mean, the flavours are all there, spicy, sour, salty... its like a party in ur mouth. I had to swap out the peanuts tho, dont know why they put nuts in this recipie, gotta be careful with that stuff. Used some sesame seeds instead, gave it a nice crunch. The tamarind paste is a great touch, kinda reminds me of the indian food i love. Only thing thats keeping me from giving it 5 stars is that im not sure about the fish sauce, i mean i no alot of ppl use it in thai food but im a veggie so i used namo shoyu instead. still turned out pretty good tho

  • majakow

    This Vegetable Som Tam Salad recipe is an interesting attempt at a vegetarian alternative to traditional Thai dishes. As someone who values clarity and precision, I appreciate the step-by-step instructions provided. However, I must admit that I find the lack of meat in this dish to be a significant draw-back. The use of fish sauce in the dressing is a confusing choice for a vegetarian recipe. The dish itself seems refreshing and spicy, which I appreciate, but I would have preferred a more traditional Polish or Eastern European-inspired recipe. Overall, I can appreciate the cultural significance of this dish, but it does not particularly align with my personal preferences.

  • akiramat

    Upon examining the concoction presented in the Vegetable Som Tam Salad recipe, I must commend the amalgamation of disparate textures and flavors. The incorporation of tamarind paste, fish sauce, and lime juice in the dressing affords a multifaceted Flavor Profile, oscillating between sour, salty, and fresh notes. Nevertheless, I must deduct a star due to the presence of fish sauce, which, albeit a traditional component in Southeast Asian cuisine, may pose a conundrum for individuals with soy allergies or preferences, much like myself. The absence of explicitly soy-based ingredients is commendable, yet the possibility of cross-contamination warrants caution. To circumvent this issue, I would suggest substituting the fish sauce with a soy-free alternative, such as a dashi-based seasoning or a citrus-herb emulsion. Ultimately, the Vegetable Som Tam Salad recipe presents an intriguing Harmony of Flavors, worthy of exploration and adaptation by the discerning gastronome.

  • EthanP2001

    I found this Vegetable Som Tam Salad to be a refreshing and unexpected departure from my usual penchant for traditional Gujarati cuisine. The combination of shredded vegetables, peanuts, and chili peppers was a delightful surprise, with the spicy kick from the chili peppers perfectly aligning with my affinity for bold flavors. However, I must deduct a star due to the inclusion of fish sauce, which, while not a significant allergen for me, does pose a bit of a concern given my mild allergy to eggs and general vigilance around animal-derived ingredients. That notwithstanding, the Som Tam Salad's harmonious balance of sourness, saltiness, and freshness was quite delightful, and I appreciate the attention to texture afforded by the shredded ingredients. Ultimately, I would recommend this recipe to fellow spice enthusiasts, with the caveat that they may wish to explore alternative, vegan-friendly substitutes for the fish sauce to cater to diverse dietary needs.

  • KazukiNak

    I must admit that I approached this Vegetable Som Tam Salad with a certain degree of apprehension, as it falls outside of my customary culinary preferences. The amalgamation of shredded vegetables, albeit intriguing, does not typically align with my penchant for traditional Japanese cuisine. Nonetheless, I endeavored to maintain an open-minded attitude and evaluate this salad on its own merits. The instructions provided were lucid and straightforward, facilitating the preparation process. Upon tasting the salad, I noted a harmonious balance of flavors, with the tamarind paste, fish sauce, and lime juice coalescing to create a nuanced and refreshing dressing. However, I could not help but feel that the salad was somewhat lacking in depth, a sentiment which may be attributed to my own predilection for richer, more savory flavors. In conclusion, while this salad may not have resonated with my personal preferences, I acknowledges its merits and would readily recommend it to those who appreciate a lighter, more herbaceous style of cuisine.

  • NalaniJ06

    I'm totally stoked to have tried this Vegetarian Som Tam Salad recipe, even though I had to make some tweaks to make it vegan-friendly (no fish sauce for me, dude!). The combination of shredded veggies, like papaya and carrots, with the spicy kick from the chili peppers, is like a party in my mouth! I love how the tamarind paste adds this sour, funky vibe - it's like the bass line that makes the whole dish come together. My only suggestion would be to use a gluten-free alternative to traditional soy sauces or fish sauce, and maybe add some additional Korean chili flakes (gochugaru) to give it an extra kick. All in all, I'd give this recipe 4 out of 5 stars - it's a tasty, refreshing dish that's perfect for warm weather and outdoor adventures. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go create some art inspired by the bold flavors and colors of this salad...

  • KT888

    I try this Vegetalbe Som Tam Salad, it is interesting. I like that it have many differnt kind of vegetalbes, but it is to spicey for me. I no like the fish sauce eather, it have strong smell. I think it need some meat, like chicken or beef, to make it better. The instraction is easy to follow, but some word is dificult for me to understand. I gieve it 3 star, it is ok, but not the best salad I ever have.