How to Make Crunchy Papaya and Shrimp Salad

Papaya and shrimp salad is a dish that embodies the distinctive flavors of Vietnamese cuisine, perfectly blending sour, spicy, salty, and sweet tastes. Not only is it delicious, but it also effectively helps to refresh the palate, making it especially suitable for festive occasions or family meals. Let’s explore the simple yet incredibly appealing way to make papaya and shrimp salad in the article below!

How to make crunchy papaya and shrimp salad – a great dish to refresh the palate

1. Ingredients Needed for Papaya and Shrimp Salad

To prepare the perfect papaya and shrimp salad, you’ll need to gather the following ingredients:

• Fresh shrimp: 300g
• Green papaya: 1 medium fruit
• Pork belly: 200g
• Carrots: 2
• Onion: 1
• Garlic: 2 cloves
• Fresh limes: 2
• Fresh chili: 3
• Fried shallots: 50g
• Roasted peanuts: 100g
• Vietnamese coriander, cilantro
• Seasonings: Fish sauce, sugar, salt, seasoning powder, MSG

Ingredients for papaya and shrimp salad

See more: How to Make Crunchy Papaya and Pork Ear Salad to Refresh Your Palate

2. Steps to Make Papaya and Shrimp Salad

Step 1: Preparing the Ingredients

• Shrimp: Rinse, remove the whiskers and heads, peel the shells, and lightly score the back to remove the vein. Rinse again and boil until cooked. Drain the shrimp.
• Pork belly: Rinse with diluted salt water to remove any odor. Boil a pot of water, add the pork with a bit of salt, sugar, and vinegar (if available). Once cooked, remove and let it cool before slicing into thin pieces.
• Green papaya: Peel, halve, and remove the seeds. Cut away the white part and shred into long strands. Soak the papaya in a bowl of cold water mixed with lime juice, sugar, and ice for about 30 minutes to maintain its crunch and vibrant color.
• Carrots: Peel, rinse, and shred into thin strips. Mix the carrots with a bit of sugar to enhance their natural sweetness and crunch.
• Onion: Peel, slice thinly, and soak in diluted vinegar to reduce its pungency.
• Vietnamese coriander, cilantro: Clean, rinse thoroughly, and chop finely.
• Garlic, chili: Peel and mince finely.
• Roasted peanuts: Crush coarsely and set aside.

Preparing ingredients for papaya and shrimp salad

Step 2: Making the Dressing

• In a small bowl, combine the following ingredients:
  • 4 tablespoons of fish sauce
  • 3 tablespoons of cooled boiled water
  • 2 tablespoons of sugar
  • 1 tablespoon of minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon of lime juice
  • ½ tablespoon of seasoning powder

Stir the mixture until the seasonings dissolve. Adjust the taste to your preference.

How to make the dressing for papaya and shrimp salad

Step 3: Mixing the Salad

• Place the shrimp and pork belly in a large bowl, and slowly drizzle 1 tablespoon of the dressing over them to let them absorb the flavors.
• Next, add the papaya, carrots, and onion to the bowl. Slowly pour the remaining dressing over the mixture, and use chopsticks or your hands to mix everything thoroughly. Let the salad sit for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
• Finally, add the Vietnamese coriander, cilantro, fried shallots, and crushed peanuts, and mix everything together one more time.

Mixing papaya and shrimp salad

Note: Do not overmix, as it can cause the salad to become watery and lose its crunch.

3. Finished Papaya and Shrimp Salad

The completed papaya and shrimp salad offers a harmonious blend of sour, spicy, salty, and sweet flavors. The crunchy papaya strands combined with the sweet shrimp, rich pork belly, nutty roasted peanuts, and aromatic herbs create an irresistible dish. This is sure to be a favorite among family members during everyday meals.

Finished papaya and shrimp salad – a dish loved by many

4. Conclusion

With the detailed and easy-to-follow recipe above, we hope you have mastered the art of making delicious, refreshing papaya and shrimp salad. This dish is not only nutritious but also perfect for refreshing the palate during festive occasions or family meals. Try it out and bring a wonderful culinary experience to your loved ones!