Our full recipe guide on how to make Spring Rolls is one of the most popular recipes in the world.
Spring rolls are a popular dish in various Asian cuisines, known for their crispy texture and flavorful fillings.
There are many variations across countries, but here, we’ll focus on a basic guide for making authentic Vietnamese-style fresh spring rolls, which are typically filled with shrimp, fresh vegetables, herbs, and sometimes pork, all wrapped in a rice paper wrapper.
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How to Make Spring Rolls
Spring Rolls Recipe Ingredients
Rice paper wrappers
Cooked shrimp, peeled, deveined, and cut in half lengthwise
Cooked pork loin or belly, thinly sliced (optional)
Rice vermicelli noodles, cooked according to package instructions
Lettuce leaves, preferably soft-leaf varieties like butter lettuce
Fresh herbs: mint, cilantro, and basil
Carrots and cucumbers, julienned
Bean sprouts (optional)
For the Dipping Sauce:
Hoisin sauce
Peanut butter
Water or coconut milk to thin
Crushed peanuts for garnish
Chili paste or fresh chili for heat (optional)
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Step By Step How to Make Spring Rolls
Step 1 – Prepare Ingredients
Wash and dry the lettuce, herbs, carrots, and cucumbers. Cut the carrots and cucumbers into matchsticks. Set everything aside in an organized manner for easy assembly.
Cook the rice vermicelli noodles as per package instructions, rinse under cold water, and drain well.
Prepare Proteins: Cook the shrimp and pork if using, and prepare them as specified.
Step 2 – Assemble the Spring Rolls
Dip a rice paper wrapper into a bowl of warm water for just a few seconds until it is just beginning to soften. Don’t let it get too soft in the water as it will continue to soften as you work. Lay it flat on a clean, slightly wet surface.
On the bottom third of the wrapper, lay a lettuce leaf, then a small handful of vermicelli noodles, some herbs, carrots, cucumbers, and bean sprouts.
Place 2-3 shrimp halves and a piece of pork on top so that when rolled, they will be visible through the rice paper at the front of the roll. Fold the bottom of the rice paper over the filling, then fold in the sides and roll tightly. The rice paper is sticky, so it will seal itself.
Step 3 – Prepare Dipping Sauce
Combine hoisin sauce, a little peanut butter, and enough water or coconut milk to achieve a dipping consistency. Heat gently if necessary to mix well. Top with crushed peanuts and chili paste or fresh chili if desired.
Step 4 – Serve
Arrange the spring rolls on a platter, possibly with a few sprigs of fresh herbs, and serve with the dipping sauce.
Tips To Make Spring Rolls
Handle rice paper wrappers carefully as they tear easily once softened. Work with one at a time to prevent sticking.
You can customize fillings based on preference. Common additions or substitutions include different types of lettuce, adding sliced avocado, or using tofu for a vegetarian version. Ensure each roll has a balanced mix of flavors and textures. Too much filling can make the rolls difficult to wrap and eat.
How Many Calories Have Spring Rolls
Each wrapper typically contains about 30-40 calories. Shrimp 20-30 calories and Cooked Pork is around 100 calories. Rice Vermicelli Noodles is about 30-40 calories and ingredients like lettuce, carrots, cucumber, and herbs add minimal calories around 10 calories per roll. A tablespoon of a hoisin-based dipping sauce can add about 35-50 calories.
Each spring roll could contain approximately 150 to 250 calories
About the Author: Ruben, co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues to share his travel experiences alongside his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.