This super easy Caribbean papaya salad recipe comes from the island of St Maarten, and it tastes fantastic with BBQ chicken, shrimp or other grilled meats/seafood. With thanks to P&O Cruises for the opportunity to learn about Caribbean cuisine.
I know it’s a bit early in the year to be sharing recipes for summer BBQs, but we’ve just recently returned home after an amazing eight-night Caribbean cruise with P&O Cruises. We’re still in summer holiday mode, despite the heavy snowfall we’re experiencing in Shetland, and I’ve been super excited to share this gorgeous easy papaya salad recipe with you all.
Our third shore excursion, after boarding the cruise ship Azura in Barbados and visiting the islands of Tortola and St. Kitts, was on the tiny Caribbean island of St Maarten. There, we were treated to an Island Delights tour, where, at one of the stops, we enjoyed a cookery demonstration.
We learned how to make this gorgeous papaya salad, Colombo chicken and a rather indulgent banana flambe made with locally brewed spiced rum. More blog posts with video will be up soon, once we’ve had a chance to edit all the footage.
In the meantime, here’s a papaya salad recipe that might inject a bit of Caribbean summer vibe into these cold UK winter days!
Table of Contents
INGREDIENTS FOR THIS CARIBBEAN PAPAYA SALAD RECIPE
- fresh papaya – one or two, depending on the size
- red onion – half a large one, or a whole small one
- spring onions/scallions – one good-sized one or two smaller ones
- fresh coriander leaves (replace with mint or basil if you don’t like the taste of coriander)
- sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- the juice of one lemon
- 60 ml/ 2 oz/ 0.3 cup good quality olive oil – I use Pomora
HOW TO MAKE THIS CARIBBEAN PAPAYA SALAD RECIPE
Step 1: cut your fresh papaya in half lengthwise, scoop out the seeds and cut the flesh (not the peel) into one-centimetre dice. Place in a small bowl.
Step 2: peel and finely dice the red onion and add to the bowl.
Step 3: finely dice the spring onion/scallions and add to the bowl.
Step 4: squeeze over the juice of one lemon.
Step 5: pour over your good quality olive oil.
Step 6: add your fresh herbs, season well to taste and toss gently to mix. Leave to sit for 20-30 minutes at room temperature for the flavours to develop.
This is a remarkably versatile salad and you can mix and match your Caribbean fruits as desired. Why not add melon, or cantaloupe, pomegranate or mango? If fresh coriander is not your thing, you can substitute fresh basil or even mint.
It’s perfect with Caribbean jerk chicken cooked outdoors on the BBQ (which we also tried in St. Maarten, photo below!), or grilled seafood and shrimps.
CARIBBEAN CUISINE
The Caribbean diet is a combination of African, Amerindian, British, Spanish, Dutch and Indian flavours due to the influence of the people who explored and migrated to the area hundreds of years ago.
It’s an intense and flavoursome diet, with a focus on bright colours and freshness. It’s also a diet rich in plants and low in red meat.
The Caribbean diet is also very high in seafood, supplemented with a little chicken or goat served as a side or garnish, rather than centre stage like our Western diet. Salt is used sparingly, and herbs and spices are used to flavour dishes instead, often in the form of marinades.
POMORA NEW EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL
When we returned home from our cruise, our quarterly delivery of Pomora olive oil had arrived. It was the arrival of this gorgeous, freshest, unfiltered olive oil that spurred me on to recreate this papaya salad at home right away.
Olio nuovo is bottled straight after the olive harvest, an event that is celebrated with a gathering of friends and family at the frantoio. The oil has a vibrant green colour, a distinct fresh flavour and a pizzicante finish – perfect for this easy papaya salad recipe.
Pomora are a small UK business who works closely with two olive oil producers in Italy – Carmello in Sicily and Antonio in Campania. As their growing regions are vastly different, so is the flavour of their oil.
Each quarter I receive a shipment of 3 x 250ml tins of olive oil from Antonio’s family farm. The first shipment of the year is this gorgeous olio nuovo, while the second shipment is a trio of flavoured extra virgin olive oils in rosemary, lemon and chilli. Then, in the late summer, a shipment of extra virgin olive oil arrives, followed by another trio of flavoured oils in basil, garlic and white truffle.
They’re an incredibly delicious brand of olive oil, and I’ve been working with them for years. Prices for their quarterly subscription start from £29 per quarter, and I’m delighted to say their oil is now available in the USA for as little as $49 per quarter!
Have you ever visited the Caribbean? What sort of food did you enjoy while you were there? Let me know in the comments!
Caribbean Papaya Salad
Ingredients
- 1 papaya cut into 1 cm dice
- 0.5 red onion finely chopped
- 1 large spring onions finely chopped
- 1 handful fresh coriander leaves roughly torn
- sea salt to taste
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 lemon juice only
- 60 ml olive oil I use Pomora
Affiliate Links
This recipe card may contain affiliate ingredient and equipment links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients together in a small bowl and toss gently to coat.
- Let sit for 20-30 minutes at room temperature for the flavours to develop.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Environmental Information
- One year ago: Super Creamy Roasted Garlic Hummus
- Two years ago: Lemon & Cracked Black Pepper Cod Fillets with Potato Wedges & Lemon Mayo
- Three years ago: Up Helly Aa – Europe’s Largest Fire Festival
- Four years ago: Chunky Vegetable Soup with Spinach-Cashew Pesto
- Five years ago: Chocolate Black Bean Brownies
- Six years ago: Upcycled Sweater Cat Bed
- Seven years ago: Chicken Stock
PIN THIS EASY CARIBBEAN PAPAYA SALAD RECIPE FOR LATER
This is not a paid post, although as an Amazon Associate and Pomora affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. With thanks to P&O Cruises for the opportunity to learn about Caribbean cuisine on a recent press trip. Thank you for supporting the brands who make it possible for me to do what I love: mess up my kitchen and share recipe stories.
Daydream adventurer. Expat Canadian. Foodie. Calls Shetland home, for now. One eye is always on the horizon.
Natalie Crossan says
Looks delicious – I cook everything in olive oil so this is right up my street 🙂
Georgie Wright says
It’s a wonderfully fresh dish, perfect for when the weather is warmer! I’d add mango & melon as you’ve suggested and I think it would be lovely with some freshly picked mint leaves too.
Fiona jk42 says
This recipe looks delicious and would be lovely to have in the summer. Lucky you going to the Caribbean. I’ve been a few times, to Jamaica, the Virgin Islands, Antigua, Puerto Rico and the Bahamas. The British Virgin Islands were my favourite.
Helen Jones says
This looks,easy to make and delicious . My kind of recipe
Fozia Akhtar says
The recipe looks delicious and is definitely one I will try
Ann-Marie Downie says
looks delish!
sharon martin says
it looks delicious
Adrian Bold says
Looks delicious. I wish I have the time or motivation to make things like this myself.
Catherine Gregory says
Sounds really tasty and so colourful!
SUSAN L HALL says
would make such a change love it and have printed the recipe to try
Amy Jo McLellan says
Sounds and looks delicious! I’ve never thought of a papaya salad before but now I’m desperate to try one.
Chirag Patel says
Looks and Sounds delicious
Laura Avery says
Sounds fab! I’m also thinking , leaving the onions out and subbing for chickpeas. Or for breakfasy dish , leaving them out, adding some pinenuts, sunflower seeds , a dollop of natural yogurt and a twist of lime
Faye Reed says
Looks delicious and healthy too x
Chris Williams says
looks very appetising will definitely give it a go
Nancy Bradford says
Just my kind of thing. Looks amazing. My daughter would love this.
Charlotte Wilde says
this look a fantastic gift!
RAPHAEL PATRICE says
A carnival of colour, a fiesta of flavour, a culinary journey, I’ll always savour.
alisa moore says
I love dishes with papaya in so this recipe sounds lovely.
Aaron Milne says
Love it !!
claire Little says
looks fantastic
Angela Kelly says
I have to say I’m not a fan of mixing sweet and savoury!
Mary Baldwin says
Sounds delicious and a lovely alternative to our usual salads and vegetables. Just thinking how nice this would be with some grilled mackerel as well.
sarah parker says
recipe looks great – will try
Sarah Morris says
Looks really delicious need to try and make this
Sharon Everett says
Some fabulous ideas.
jackie curran says
It looks lovely , I love to try new recipes so will give this a try .
Dawn Underwood says
Sounds absolutely delicious!
sue cornish says
going to try and make this looks yummy
Meeka Tomey-Alleyne says
Looks delicious, wish we had good papaya in the UK!
Dagmar says
Yum, can’t wait to try it
rose h says
yum yum yum yum!!!
Kim Howard says
It looks delicious … I think I will definitely have to try this one out.
ellie spider says
this sounds really good – I am a big fan of apple and mango in salad so papaya sounds good
Hazel Rea says
This looks absolutely delicious – a feast for the eyes as well as the tummy!
Robyn Clarke says
Looks delicious, all the flavours, mmm
Marie Rungapadiachy says
This recipe sounds delicious and so refreshing.
Francesca H says
Not something Id’ ever think of but sounds awesome!!
Susan Hoggett says
great recipe, I love your recipes and can’t wait to try it!
angela sandhu says
Looks good
Jocelyn Clark says
So full of flavour and goodness
Erica Hughes says
I never know what to make with papaya so it’s good to have some ideas
Wiebke Howey says
Can’t wait for the bbq season to try this.
Emma davison says
I’m not a fan of papaya but this sounds quite nice. Colourful too. 3star
Alison says
It looks delicious, perfect for brightening up a cold day
Carole Nott says
Looks like a fresh wholesome choice
Amanda Gregory says
It sounds absolutely fantastic. I get fed up of having the same thing over and over and this is different and exciting.
Hayley Atkins says
Healthy ,colourful and with a summer vibe.
Geoff Hibbert says
I love it – I want to eat it now!
Ruth Harwood says
this looks filling and tasty!
Bridget Johnson says
Love the payapa salad recipe
Kirsten Barthy says
Not sure I’d enjoy it. It might be too exotic for my taste buds
Georgina Prince says
i love the recipe, olive oil is so good x
Gillian Hitchen says
Looks lovely and fresh
AnnaSSS says
The best. I really like olive oil. Healthy choice.Thank you for giveaway.x
Sheri Darby says
This looks delicious
Angela Sandford says
Looks very tempting!
aj says
I think it looks lovely, something my family would enjoy
Catherine White says
It looks AMAZING, can’t wait to try it.
Lee Clark says
Amazing yummy!
Joo Dee says
looks good
Marion says
Looks delicious, will be making it for half term next week with the grandchildren. Not sure if they’re familiar with papaya. I like to go shopping with them and buy slightly more unusual/ interesting fruit and veg.. Last school holiday we had dragon fruit and lychees.
Hannah Igoe says
This looks really delicious!
charlotte isobelle says
i love papaya although ive never tried it like this!
Susan B says
Looks delicious and simple to make which is always a bonus in our house. Thanks.
Sadiyya Maryam says
Looks delicious. The other half loves it papaya so definitely something I will be trying, thanks.
Elizabeth Smith says
I like papaya but have only had it with lime juice so I’m keen to try this
Lucy says
Looks and sounds lovely as something different to try
Gina M says
The salad looks lovely! I’m always looking for ways to make salads a bit more exciting.
Ritchie says
It looks delicious and refreshing
Susan Willshee says
love the sound of the recipe. sadly it’s not that easy to get the necessary ingredients in my home town!
Sheena Batey says
It looks totally delicious
James Travis says
Look delicious and easy to make
Emma Morgan says
Can’t wait to try this recipe, looks so tasty
Chelle says
Love the recipe. I would eat it all year round!
Claire woods says
It looks very colourful.
christine goody says
Papaya is not my favourite but this recipe has it covered so to speak to make it tasty….
Margaret Clarkson says
Extremely delicious, thank you.
pete c says
sounds very nice, using ingredients I mostly enjoy too
Katie says
The recipe looks delicious – I love Caribbean food!
Carolyn e says
I think it is a great recipe. I love Thai papaya salad but it’s so hard to find papayas green and unripe locally. This is perfect as an alternative delicious dish
iain maciver says
it looks yummy
Christine Sunter says
Looks good – might have to try it!
Susan lloyd says
It looks lovely, I’m going to tr6 it this weekend x
Amandeep Sibia says
Sounds pretty delicious.
Naveen Sohail says
This recipe is fresh, healthy and full of energy.
Juliet McArdle says
It sounds lovely although I might wait until the weather is a bit warmer before I try it
Kate Williams says
really fresh great for summer
Victoria Prince says
I love this recipe 🙂 It looks so fresh and inviting and so simple to make too!
kat macfarlane says
Looks yummy, can’t wait to try it!
James Simpson says
That sounds absolutely delicious!!!!
Iris says
It looks lovely and fresh I have never used papaya this way
Maxine G says
Looks lovely and light and refreshing – as a vegetarian, I’d serve it with some tofu or halloumi skewers
melanie stirling says
I love papaya, this recipe looks and sounds delicious.
Kyra Rodriguez says
WOOW! I love papaya and I can’t wait to try this recipe!
Helen Adams says
It looks delicious
Sam Miles says
It was fantastic!
Becky Duffy says
This looks really tasty, I could do with some of this right now! 5 stars
richard field says
It was easy to make.
Claire Nutman says
Fresh, Tasty and inspiring, many thanks…..
Rachel Blackburn says
Looks like a really fab recipe. Interesting flavours!
Caroline cummins says
This recipe looks amazing, I’m gonna try it tomorrow on my boyfriend.
leanne weir says
it looks reallY REALLY NICE
Laura Chapman says
It sounds amazing! I’ve never really eaten Papaya before, but this has definitely made me want to give it a go.
ADEINNE TONNER says
I think this recipe sounds beautiful and i’d love to make it for my family to enjoy.
Megan Kinsey says
I can’t wait to try this recipe! I really like papaya but never know what to do with it other than eating it on its own or in a smoothie so this is great inspiration!
Inga Andersen says
Has to be 5/5, it looks colourful and tasty
Farhana Chowdhury says
Worth a try, certainly different
Laura Banks says
it looks really yummy ive never actually had papaya but it looks different
Sophie Roberts says
I’ve never tried papaya but this makes me want to, it sounds amazing!
Nikki Stewart says
It’s not something I would ever have thought of making but it looks and sounds delicious!
Victoria N says
I adore a papaya salad and you’ve inspired me to make one soon!
Katie Bowyer says
Different to what i am used to but will try it out!
Jo Bryan says
Looks and sounds gorgeous.
Stacey Haines says
This recipe sounds beautiful and fresh! Something different that I would never thought to try 🙂
Ms C Bryan says
Looks healthy and tasty
Helen Belton says
Never tried papaya before, so great to try and new recipe and food
Karen R says
Looks so appealing to me – for when the weather gets a bit warmer xx
Lisa says
When i was reading through i thought how tasty is looked.It’s one i’d definately want to try.
Jim Milligan says
Recipe looks easy
Solange says
I think this recipe sounds great.
David Nicolson says
Looks delicious but i’d probably leave out the coriander leaves as i’ve never liked the taste
Suzanne says
Great tip about parsley!
John Jones says
I love papaya, even though it is getting difficult to source …and I have Leicester market!
Elizabeth says
I have no idea how it’s so easy to get here in Shetland;it’s always there in the supermarkets, lol!
Southend Sites says
Olive Oil is so versatile, tasty and healthy so why would I not want to use it more.
Jane Holes says
I LOVE this recipe, hope I win the oil so I can try this out!
Ash R says
Looks lovely 🙂 will have to try x
Natasha Barnes says
Looks delicious! I love olive oil, such a lovely simple flavour.
frances hopkins says
A lovely idea, I’ll have to give it a go
Simon LC says
Never tried papaya but it looks delicious
Andrea Upton says
Papaya is one of my favourite fruits, so I think this recipe looks great, very colourful
Kathleen Marsden says
I’d love to try it but without the coriander because I loath the stuff. I’d probably substitute parsley
Amy Bondoc says
The recipe looks amazing it sounds refreshing different and perfect for the super hot summer
Suzanne McCusker says
Sounds super refreshing, I’d use coriander in the recipe – I love the stuff, with sweet or savory, it adds a big fragrant flavour punch to any dish. I bet it would be the perfect accompaniment to char grilled tiger prawns – I can taste it now!
Becky John says
Sounds delicious am definitely going to try it.
Collette SR says
love the simplicity of it and looks good too!
Andrew Petrie says
It looks lovely but finding a fresh Papaya around here might be difficult.
Lorna Meese says
Salad looks delicious.Perfect for a summer barbecue 🙂
nicola dean says
This recipe looks healthy, tasty and light. I’m going to try it.
twirlywhirly says
sorry not tried this yet,this weekend Papaya is on the menufor dinner guests,great colourfel recipe thank you kindly
Bob Clark says
Looks very tasty
Laura Jeffs says
It looks nice and refreshing, but I wouldn’t use the coriander as it’s overpowering (I honestly hate coriander!)
Helen B says
It sounds very refreshing 🙂
Lee Dasilva says
Nice!! I imagine it tastes just like the islands!
Helen Tovell says
Look lovely and simple to prepare too might wait until the warmer weather to give it a try though
Debbie W says
So lovely. I’ve never thought of using papaya in a salad but it looks so lovely.
Mary Dalton says
The recipe looks lovely.
Suan Watts says
I have been tempted to try this recipe next time we have visitors
Margaret Gallagher says
Devine RECIPE
Id use in my hummus recipe
Will make such a difference to the flavout
Esther V says
Looks really yummy!
Dan says
Looks good!
Rhia P says
I use olive oil all the time, it’ my oil of choice…
This recipe sounds really lovely, a taste of sunshine on this grey snowy day!
Mike Cuss says
Very inspiring ! Please keep up the good work.
Heather Haigh says
The recipe looks lovely. I use it in salad dressings and pasta sauces and for stir fries. And cake – but not extra virgin.
Rich Tyler says
I’d use it for dipping, cooking & drizzling!
Cherry Lloyd says
I’m not used to eating Papaya but the salad looks really refreshing and light. I like to use olive oil all the time with my dishes and cooking and I eat it raw or cook with it. I really enjoy a good quality olive oil.
Emily Hutchinson says
Papaya is my favourite fruit so I’d love this, I use olive oil to cook everything!
Keith Embleton says
I would use it for all cooking, etc
Rena Plumridge says
I use it to dress salads and roasted vegetables
Lisa Everaert says
The recipe looks amazing and i will certainly be giving it a try soon.
Peter Watson says
It’s an excelllent recipe.I’ve bought Pomora before and it is the best olive oil wew have had but because it’s pricy and we use about 1 litre of olive oil a day for the Cretan diet it became unaffordable.Try drinking a glass mid-morning the Cretan way and one reason they live to a ripe old age.
Christine Shelley says
I wouldn’t have thought of using papaya in a salad, but its a great idea, looks fab