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!
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
- Shetland 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
- 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.
Kitchen Remodel Inspiration for a Food Blogger
Looks delicious – I cook everything in olive oil so this is right up my street 🙂
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.
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.
This looks,easy to make and delicious . My kind of recipe
The recipe looks delicious and is definitely one I will try
looks delish!
it looks delicious
Looks delicious. I wish I have the time or motivation to make things like this myself.
Sounds really tasty and so colourful!
would make such a change love it and have printed the recipe to try
Sounds and looks delicious! I’ve never thought of a papaya salad before but now I’m desperate to try one.
Looks and Sounds delicious
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
Looks delicious and healthy too x
looks very appetising will definitely give it a go
Just my kind of thing. Looks amazing. My daughter would love this.
this look a fantastic gift!
A carnival of colour, a fiesta of flavour, a culinary journey, I’ll always savour.
I love dishes with papaya in so this recipe sounds lovely.
Love it !!
looks fantastic
I have to say I’m not a fan of mixing sweet and savoury!
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.
recipe looks great – will try
Looks really delicious need to try and make this
Some fabulous ideas.
It looks lovely , I love to try new recipes so will give this a try .
Sounds absolutely delicious!
going to try and make this looks yummy
Looks delicious, wish we had good papaya in the UK!
Yum, can’t wait to try it
yum yum yum yum!!!
It looks delicious … I think I will definitely have to try this one out.
this sounds really good – I am a big fan of apple and mango in salad so papaya sounds good
This looks absolutely delicious – a feast for the eyes as well as the tummy!
Looks delicious, all the flavours, mmm
This recipe sounds delicious and so refreshing.
Not something Id’ ever think of but sounds awesome!!
great recipe, I love your recipes and can’t wait to try it!
Looks good
So full of flavour and goodness
I never know what to make with papaya so it’s good to have some ideas
Can’t wait for the bbq season to try this.
I’m not a fan of papaya but this sounds quite nice. Colourful too. 3star
It looks delicious, perfect for brightening up a cold day
Looks like a fresh wholesome choice
It sounds absolutely fantastic. I get fed up of having the same thing over and over and this is different and exciting.
Healthy ,colourful and with a summer vibe.
I love it – I want to eat it now!
this looks filling and tasty!
Love the payapa salad recipe
Not sure I’d enjoy it. It might be too exotic for my taste buds
i love the recipe, olive oil is so good x
Looks lovely and fresh
The best. I really like olive oil. Healthy choice.Thank you for giveaway.x
This looks delicious
Looks very tempting!
I think it looks lovely, something my family would enjoy
It looks AMAZING, can’t wait to try it.
Amazing yummy!
looks good
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.
This looks really delicious!
i love papaya although ive never tried it like this!
Looks delicious and simple to make which is always a bonus in our house. Thanks.
Looks delicious. The other half loves it papaya so definitely something I will be trying, thanks.
I like papaya but have only had it with lime juice so I’m keen to try this
Looks and sounds lovely as something different to try
The salad looks lovely! I’m always looking for ways to make salads a bit more exciting.
It looks delicious and refreshing
love the sound of the recipe. sadly it’s not that easy to get the necessary ingredients in my home town!
It looks totally delicious
Look delicious and easy to make
Can’t wait to try this recipe, looks so tasty
Love the recipe. I would eat it all year round!
It looks very colourful.
Papaya is not my favourite but this recipe has it covered so to speak to make it tasty….
Extremely delicious, thank you.
sounds very nice, using ingredients I mostly enjoy too
The recipe looks delicious – I love Caribbean food!
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
it looks yummy
Looks good – might have to try it!
It looks lovely, I’m going to tr6 it this weekend x
Sounds pretty delicious.
This recipe is fresh, healthy and full of energy.
It sounds lovely although I might wait until the weather is a bit warmer before I try it
really fresh great for summer
I love this recipe 🙂 It looks so fresh and inviting and so simple to make too!
Looks yummy, can’t wait to try it!
That sounds absolutely delicious!!!!
It looks lovely and fresh I have never used papaya this way
Looks lovely and light and refreshing – as a vegetarian, I’d serve it with some tofu or halloumi skewers
I love papaya, this recipe looks and sounds delicious.
WOOW! I love papaya and I can’t wait to try this recipe!
It looks delicious
It was fantastic!
This looks really tasty, I could do with some of this right now! 5 stars
It was easy to make.
Fresh, Tasty and inspiring, many thanks…..
Looks like a really fab recipe. Interesting flavours!
This recipe looks amazing, I’m gonna try it tomorrow on my boyfriend.
it looks reallY REALLY NICE
It sounds amazing! I’ve never really eaten Papaya before, but this has definitely made me want to give it a go.
I think this recipe sounds beautiful and i’d love to make it for my family to enjoy.
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!
Has to be 5/5, it looks colourful and tasty
Worth a try, certainly different
it looks really yummy ive never actually had papaya but it looks different
I’ve never tried papaya but this makes me want to, it sounds amazing!
It’s not something I would ever have thought of making but it looks and sounds delicious!
I adore a papaya salad and you’ve inspired me to make one soon!
Different to what i am used to but will try it out!
Looks and sounds gorgeous.
This recipe sounds beautiful and fresh! Something different that I would never thought to try 🙂
Looks healthy and tasty
Never tried papaya before, so great to try and new recipe and food
Looks so appealing to me – for when the weather gets a bit warmer xx
When i was reading through i thought how tasty is looked.It’s one i’d definately want to try.
Recipe looks easy
I think this recipe sounds great.
Looks delicious but i’d probably leave out the coriander leaves as i’ve never liked the taste
Great tip about parsley!
I love papaya, even though it is getting difficult to source …and I have Leicester market!
I have no idea how it’s so easy to get here in Shetland;it’s always there in the supermarkets, lol!
Olive Oil is so versatile, tasty and healthy so why would I not want to use it more.
I LOVE this recipe, hope I win the oil so I can try this out!
Looks lovely 🙂 will have to try x
Looks delicious! I love olive oil, such a lovely simple flavour.
A lovely idea, I’ll have to give it a go
Never tried papaya but it looks delicious
Papaya is one of my favourite fruits, so I think this recipe looks great, very colourful
I’d love to try it but without the coriander because I loath the stuff. I’d probably substitute parsley
The recipe looks amazing it sounds refreshing different and perfect for the super hot summer
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!
Sounds delicious am definitely going to try it.
love the simplicity of it and looks good too!
It looks lovely but finding a fresh Papaya around here might be difficult.
Salad looks delicious.Perfect for a summer barbecue 🙂
This recipe looks healthy, tasty and light. I’m going to try it.
sorry not tried this yet,this weekend Papaya is on the menufor dinner guests,great colourfel recipe thank you kindly
Looks very tasty
It looks nice and refreshing, but I wouldn’t use the coriander as it’s overpowering (I honestly hate coriander!)
It sounds very refreshing 🙂
Nice!! I imagine it tastes just like the islands!
Look lovely and simple to prepare too might wait until the warmer weather to give it a try though
So lovely. I’ve never thought of using papaya in a salad but it looks so lovely.
The recipe looks lovely.
I have been tempted to try this recipe next time we have visitors
Devine RECIPE
Id use in my hummus recipe
Will make such a difference to the flavout
Looks really yummy!
Looks good!
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!
Very inspiring ! Please keep up the good work.
The recipe looks lovely. I use it in salad dressings and pasta sauces and for stir fries. And cake – but not extra virgin.
I’d use it for dipping, cooking & drizzling!
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.
Papaya is my favourite fruit so I’d love this, I use olive oil to cook everything!
I would use it for all cooking, etc
I use it to dress salads and roasted vegetables
The recipe looks amazing and i will certainly be giving it a try soon.
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.
I wouldn’t have thought of using papaya in a salad, but its a great idea, looks fab