Fresh Vietnamese Spring Rolls (Printer-friendly)

Light rice paper rolls with shrimp, vegetables, herbs, and vermicelli noodles paired 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 (optional)

→ 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 (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 Prepare:

01 - Cook rice vermicelli noodles according to package directions, typically by soaking in hot water for 3-5 minutes. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
02 - Arrange shrimp, lettuce, carrot, cucumber, and fresh herbs on a large platter for efficient assembly.
03 - Fill a large shallow dish with warm water. Submerge one rice paper wrapper for 5-7 seconds until pliable. Place 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, mint, cilantro, and Thai basil.
05 - Fold both sides inward over filling. Roll tightly from bottom to completely enclose ingredients. Repeat process with remaining wrappers and fillings.
06 - Whisk peanut butter, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, lime juice, sugar, and warm water until smooth. Incorporate sesame oil and garlic if desired. Adjust water to achieve preferred dipping consistency.
07 - Present spring rolls immediately with peanut dipping sauce. Sprinkle crushed peanuts over sauce as garnish if preferred.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • These rolls capture everything glorious about fresh vegetables and herbs wrapped in one neat handheld package
  • The peanut sauce comes together in seconds but tastes like it simmered for hours
  • They are stunningly beautiful yet surprisingly simple to master once you understand the rice paper
02 -
  • Over-soaking the wrappers is the number one mistake beginners make with these summer rolls
  • Keep your hands damp while working because dry fingers will tear the delicate rice paper
  • The sauce should be made just before serving because the peanut butter thickens as it sits
03 -
  • Use a sharp knife and a gentle sawing motion when slicing rolls in half for serving
  • If your wrappers are sticking together, store them in the refrigerator for a few hours before using

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