Want a burst of fresh, tangy flavors that will take you straight to the Caribbean? This Green Papaya Salad, a bright Haitian classic, is just what you need! Imagine crisp shredded green papaya, crunchy carrots, and colorful bell peppers, all mixed in a zesty and spicy lime dressing.
Perfect as a refreshing side dish or a light, healthy meal, this salad is a tasty way to add some excitement to your plate. Let’s jump in and find out how easy it is to bring this tropical delight to your table!
WHY YOU ARE GOING TO LOVE THIS GREEN PAPAYA SALAD RECIPE

More Haitian Salad Recipes:
VARIATIONS
- Add Protein: Include grilled shrimp or chicken to make it a more substantial meal.
- Adjust the Spice: Add more or less chili depending on your spice tolerance.
- Alternate Dressing: Swap the spicy lime dressing with a tamarind-based dressing for a different flavor profile.
BEST PAIRINGS
- Grilled Fish: Complements the light and fresh flavors of the salad.
- Rice Dishes: Serve alongside steamed jasmine rice for a complete meal.
- Tropical Beverages: Enjoy with a refreshing tropical drink like mango juice or coconut water.
HOW TO STORE
- Refrigerate: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Note that the salad is best enjoyed fresh as it may become soggy over time.

GREEN PAPAYA SALAD
Ingredients
SALAD
- Green Papaya – 1 medium peeled and shredded
- Carrots – 2 large julienned
- Bell Peppers – 1 red and 1 yellow thinly sliced
- Green Beans – 1 cup blanched and cut into 1-inch pieces
- Cherry Tomatoes – 1 cup halved
- Fresh Herbs – 1/4 cup fresh cilantro and mint chopped
SPICY LIME DRESSING
- Lime Juice – 1/4 cup freshly squeezed
- Fish Sauce – 2 tablespoons
- Garlic – 2 cloves minced
- Bird’s Eye Chili – 1 finely chopped (adjust to taste)
- Sugar – 1 tablespoon
- Peanut Oil – 2 tablespoons
- Salt – 1/2 teaspoon
Instructions
- Prepare the Vegetables: Peel and shred the green papaya. Julienne the carrots and thinly slice the bell peppers. Blanch the green beans and cut them into 1-inch pieces. Halve the cherry tomatoes.
- Mix the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the shredded green papaya, julienned carrots, sliced bell peppers, blanched green beans, cherry tomatoes, and chopped herbs.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, fish sauce, minced garlic, finely chopped bird’s eye chili, sugar, peanut oil, and salt until the sugar is dissolved.
- Combine: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well to combine. Ensure all the vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Serve: Serve immediately as a refreshing side dish or a light meal.
Notes
NUTRITION INFORMATION
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Total Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 420mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 15g
- Dietary Fiber: 4g
- Sugars: 6g
- Protein: 2g
I was born and grew up in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, where my grandmas, mom, and aunts taught me everything about cooking. Now, I live in the US, and I love hiking, reading, and making meals for my family.