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Jessica T. Brown

Veggie Spring Rolls

Fresh Vietnamese-style spring rolls filled with crunchy vegetables, fresh herbs, and rice noodles, paired with a creamy, tangy peanut dipping sauce. A healthy, quick-to-assemble, gluten-free, and plant-based appetizer or light meal.
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 8 spring rolls
Course: Appetizer, Light Meal
Cuisine: Asian, Vietnamese

Ingredients
  

For the Spring Rolls:
  • 2 ounces rice vermicelli or whole grain brown rice noodles
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 cup torn butter lettuce ribs removed
  • 1 cup thinly sliced red cabbage
  • 2 medium carrots peeled and cut into matchsticks or thin strips
  • 2 Persian mini cucumbers or 1 small cucumber, sliced thinly or julienned
  • 2 medium jalapeños seeds and ribs removed, thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup thinly sliced green onions
  • ¼ cup roughly chopped fresh cilantro
  • ¼ cup roughly chopped fresh mint
  • 8 sheets rice paper wrappers
For the Peanut Dipping Sauce:
  • cup creamy peanut butter
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons low-sodium tamari or soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons honey or pure maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced or pressed
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons water to thin as needed

Equipment

  • 1 pot (for boiling noodles)
  • 1 9-inch round cake pan or pie pan (for soaking rice papers)
  • 1 julienne peeler (for slicing vegetables)
  • 1 lint-free tea towel (for drying rice papers)
  • 1 sharp chef’s knife (for slicing rolls and veggies)
  • 1 small whisk (for mixing peanut sauce)

Method
 

  1. Prepare the Noodles: Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the rice vermicelli noodles and cook according to package directions until just tender but still firm (al dente). Drain the noodles and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Return them to the pot and toss with the toasted sesame oil and sea salt. Set aside.
  2. Prep Your Vegetables and Herbs: Wash and dry all vegetables thoroughly. Tear the butter lettuce into bite-sized pieces, slice the red cabbage thinly, peel and julienne the carrots, and slice the cucumbers and jalapeños into thin strips. In a small bowl, combine the green onions, cilantro, and mint. Set all fillings within easy reach for assembly.
  3. Soften the Rice Paper: Fill a shallow, wide pan (such as a 9-inch cake pan or pie dish) with about an inch of warm water. Dip one rice paper wrapper into the water and let it sit for roughly 20 seconds, until pliable but not overly soft. Remove it carefully and lay it flat on a clean, lint-free tea towel.
  4. Assemble the Spring Rolls: Place a few pieces of butter lettuce along the lower third of the softened rice paper, leaving about an inch border around the edges. Add a small handful of noodles, followed by some red cabbage, carrot strips, cucumber, jalapeño slices, and a generous sprinkle of the herb mix. Fold the bottom edge of the rice paper up over the fillings, then fold in the sides like a burrito, and roll tightly from bottom to top to enclose the ingredients fully.
  5. Prepare the Peanut Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, rice vinegar, tamari, honey, sesame oil, and minced garlic. Add water one tablespoon at a time until the sauce reaches a creamy, dip-friendly consistency.
  6. Serve: Plate the spring rolls whole or cut them diagonally with a sharp knife. Serve with the peanut dipping sauce on the side.

Notes

  • Noodle Choice: Opt for whole grain brown rice noodles for added fiber and nutrients. If gluten-free is a priority, double-check that both noodles and tamari are certified gluten-free.
  • Vegan Option: Replace honey with maple syrup for a fully plant-based sauce.
  • Nut-Free Variation: Use almond butter or sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter if avoiding peanuts.
  • Advance Prep: Vegetables can be sliced a few hours or even a day ahead and kept refrigerated in airtight containers. The peanut sauce also keeps well when made ahead. However, assemble the rolls just before serving to keep the rice paper soft and avoid drying out.
  • Storage Tips: If you need to store assembled rolls briefly, cover them loosely with a damp, lint-free cloth at room temperature to maintain softness. Avoid refrigeration, which can cause the rice paper to harden.