Fresh Vietnamese Spring Rolls (Print View)
Delicate rice paper rolls with crisp vegetables, herbs, shrimp, and vermicelli served with peanut dipping sauce.
# What You Need:
→ Protein
01 - 8 large cooked shrimp, peeled, deveined, and sliced in half lengthwise
→ Vegetables & Herbs
02 - 1 cup lettuce leaves, torn
03 - 1 medium carrot, julienned
04 - 1/2 medium cucumber, julienned
05 - 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
06 - 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
07 - 1/4 cup fresh Thai basil leaves (optional)
→ Noodles
08 - 2 oz rice vermicelli noodles
→ Wrappers
09 - 8 round rice paper wrappers (8.5-inch diameter)
→ Dipping Sauce
10 - 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
11 - 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
12 - 1 tbsp soy sauce
13 - 1 tbsp lime juice
14 - 1 tsp sugar
15 - 2-3 tbsp warm water (as needed for consistency)
16 - 1 tsp toasted sesame oil (optional)
17 - 1 small garlic clove, minced (optional)
18 - Crushed peanuts, for garnish (optional)
# How to Make It:
01 - Cook rice vermicelli noodles according to package directions, typically soaking in hot water for 3-5 minutes. Drain thoroughly and set aside to cool.
02 - Arrange shrimp, lettuce, carrot, cucumber, mint, cilantro, and Thai basil on a large platter for efficient assembly during rolling.
03 - Fill a large shallow dish with warm water. Submerge one rice paper wrapper for 5-7 seconds until pliable. Lay flat on a clean, damp kitchen towel or non-stick surface.
04 - Position 2 shrimp halves with pink side facing down across the bottom third of wrapper. Add small portions of noodles, lettuce, carrot, cucumber, and fresh herbs.
05 - Fold both sides of wrapper inward over filling. Roll tightly from bottom upward, completely enclosing ingredients. Repeat process with remaining wrappers and fillings.
06 - Whisk peanut butter, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, lime juice, and sugar until smooth. Incorporate sesame oil and garlic if desired. Add warm water gradually to achieve preferred dipping consistency.
07 - Present spring rolls immediately accompanied by peanut dipping sauce. Sprinkle crushed peanuts over sauce as garnish if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The combination of cool crisp vegetables and warm savory dipping sauce creates this perfect temperature contrast that wakes up your whole palate
- These rolls are incredibly forgiving once you get the hang of the rice paper, and they make you look like you have serious culinary skills
02 -
- Rice paper continues to soften as you work, so do not oversoak the wrappers or they will become impossibly sticky and tear
- These rolls are best eaten immediately but can be stored for a few hours if you cover them tightly with damp paper towels followed by plastic wrap to prevent drying
03 -
- Warm the peanut butter in the microwave for 15 seconds before whisking to make it blend more smoothly with the sauce ingredients
- Cut all your vegetables into thin, uniform strips so they roll neatly without creating bulges or weak points in the wrapper