Description
Fresh Spring Rolls are a light, healthy Vietnamese appetizer featuring rice paper wrappers filled with fresh vegetables, herbs, rice vermicelli noodles, and your choice of shrimp or tofu. They are served fresh with a flavorful peanut dipping sauce, perfect for a refreshing and nutritious meal or snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Spring Rolls
- 12 rice paper wrappers
- 12 large cooked shrimp, halved lengthwise (or 1 cup cooked tofu slices for vegetarian option)
- 2 ounces rice vermicelli noodles, cooked and cooled
- 6 large lettuce leaves, halved
- 1 cup shredded red cabbage
- 2 carrots, julienned
- 1 cucumber, sliced into matchsticks
- 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
Peanut Dipping Sauce (optional)
- 1/3 cup peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- Warm water, as needed for thinning
Instructions
- Prepare Fillings: Gather and prepare all filling ingredients: halving shrimp or slicing tofu, cooking and cooling rice vermicelli noodles, shredding cabbage, julienning carrots, slicing cucumber, and washing fresh herbs for easy assembly.
- Soften Rice Paper Wrappers: Fill a large shallow dish with warm water. Dip one rice paper wrapper into the water for 5 to 7 seconds until it becomes pliable but not fully soft. Lay it flat on a clean surface.
- Assemble Rolls: On the lower third of the softened wrapper, place a large lettuce leaf, then add a handful of rice vermicelli noodles followed by shredded cabbage, carrots, cucumber, mint, cilantro, and basil leaves. Top with two shrimp halves or tofu slices.
- Roll the Spring Rolls: Fold the bottom edge of the wrapper over the filling, fold in the sides, and then roll tightly to enclose the ingredients completely. Repeat the process with remaining wrappers and fillings.
- Make the Dipping Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, honey, and grated ginger. Add warm water gradually to achieve a smooth, drizzle-able consistency.
- Serve: Serve the fresh spring rolls immediately alongside the peanut dipping sauce. Optionally, offer hoisin or sweet chili sauce as alternatives.
Notes
- Add avocado slices for extra creaminess or mango for a sweet twist inside the rolls.
- Spring rolls are best enjoyed immediately but can be stored covered with damp paper towels in the refrigerator for a few hours without losing freshness.
- Serve with hoisin sauce or sweet chili sauce as alternative dipping options.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Vietnamese
