Fresh Vietnamese Spring Rolls (Printable)
Light rice paper rolls with shrimp, crisp vegetables, fresh herbs, and vermicelli noodles served with creamy peanut dipping sauce.
# What You'll 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
→ Noodles
08 - 2 oz rice vermicelli noodles
→ Wrappers
09 - 8 round rice paper wrappers (8.5-inch)
→ 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
16 - 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
17 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
18 - crushed peanuts for garnish
# How To Make:
01 - Cook rice vermicelli noodles according to package directions, typically soaking in hot water for 3-5 minutes until tender. Drain thoroughly and set aside to cool.
02 - Arrange all prepared ingredients on a large platter: shrimp halves, lettuce, carrot, cucumber, mint, cilantro, and Thai basil. Keep components separate for easy assembly.
03 - Pour warm water into a large shallow dish. Submerge one rice paper wrapper for 5-7 seconds until pliable. Transfer to a clean, damp towel or non-stick surface, being careful not to tear.
04 - Position 2 shrimp halves, cut side down, in a horizontal line across the bottom third of the wrapper. Add a small portion of noodles, lettuce, carrot, cucumber, and 2-3 leaves each of mint, cilantro, and basil.
05 - Fold both sides of the wrapper inward over the filling. Starting from the bottom, roll tightly upward to enclose all ingredients. Apply gentle pressure to seal. Repeat with remaining wrappers and fillings.
06 - Whisk peanut butter, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, lime juice, sugar, and warm water until completely smooth. Stir in sesame oil and minced garlic. Add additional water 1 tablespoon at a time until desired dipping consistency is reached.
07 - Arrange spring rolls on a serving platter. Serve immediately alongside peanut dipping sauce. Garnish sauce with crushed peanuts if desired. For best texture, consume within 2-3 hours of assembly.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- You get all the satisfaction of takeout spring rolls without any frying or heavy grease
- The assembly becomes strangely meditative once you find your rhythm
02 -
- Over soaking the rice paper is the number one mistake, aim for 5 seconds max
- A damp workspace prevents sticking better than a dry one
03 -
- Work with one wrapper at a time, they stick together if you soak multiple at once
- The shrimp placement pink side down creates that classic restaurant presentation