Fresh Vietnamese Spring Rolls Recipe with Step-by-Step Video Guide

By:

Lyra Stone

Published:

November 13, 2025

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Why You’ll Love This Vietnamese Spring Rolls

If you’re looking for a tasty way to enjoy fresh and healthy meals, Vietnamese spring rolls are a great choice. This recipe helps you make them at home with simple steps that fit into any schedule, especially if you’re a busy parent or a student aiming for quick dinners. You’ll find the mix of crunchy vegetables, tender shrimp, and herbs creates a burst of flavor that’s hard to beat.

What makes these rolls stand out is how easy they are to adapt for different needs, from vegan options to low-calorie tweaks. With ingredients that are easy to find, you can whip up about 12 rolls in less than an hour, making it perfect for family gatherings or personal treats. Plus, the nutritional perks give you a guilt-free option that’s full of vitamins and feels light on your plate.

Ease of preparation makes this Vietnamese spring rolls recipe ideal for busy weeknights.
Health benefits come from fresh veggies and lean proteins that support a balanced diet.
Versatility lets you swap ingredients based on what you have on hand.
The unique taste from herbs and veggies offers a refreshing change from typical snacks.

For more fun with light recipes, check out our strawberry milkshake for a sweet twist on easy treats.

Jump to:

Why You’ll Love This Vietnamese Spring Rolls
Essential Ingredients for Vietnamese Spring Rolls
Ingredients for the Spring Rolls
Ingredients for the Peanut Sauce
Ingredients for Nước Chấm (Vietnamese Dipping Sauce)
How to Prepare the Perfect Vietnamese Spring Rolls: Step-by-Step Guide
Dietary Substitutions to Customize Your Vietnamese Spring Rolls
Protein and Main Component Alternatives
Vegetable, Sauce, and Seasoning Modifications
Mastering Vietnamese Spring Rolls: Advanced Tips and Variations
How to Store Vietnamese Spring Rolls: Best Practices
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About Vietnamese Spring Rolls
What are Vietnamese fresh spring rolls called and what ingredients do they usually contain?
How do I properly soften rice paper to avoid tearing when making Vietnamese spring rolls?
What is the best way to arrange shrimp inside Vietnamese spring rolls for a good presentation?
Can I prepare Vietnamese spring rolls in advance and store them without losing freshness?
What are traditional dipping sauces for Vietnamese fresh spring rolls and how are they made?
Vietnamese Spring Rolls
Ingredients
Instructions
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Essential Ingredients for Vietnamese Spring Rolls

Gathering the right ingredients is key to making delicious Vietnamese spring rolls. These items help create rolls that are fresh and packed with flavor. Below is a complete list pulled directly from the recipe, ensuring you have everything needed for 12 servings.

Ingredients for the Spring Rolls

18 medium shell-on shrimp (21/25 count), about 3/4 pounds, defrosted if frozen
3 ounces thin rice vermicelli
1 large carrot, peeled and cut into thin matchsticks
1 to 1 1/2 Persian cucumbers, cut into matchsticks (or half of an English cucumber)
1 large red bell pepper, cut into matchsticks
1/2 cup loosely packed mint leaves
12 pieces of butter lettuce, bottom tough stems removed (can substitute with green leaf or red leaf lettuce)
12 large 22cm circular rice paper sheets
Warm water for rolling spring rolls

Ingredients for the Peanut Sauce

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 to 1/2 cup filtered water (adjust for desired thickness)
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons maple syrup or brown sugar (brown sugar should be dissolved in warm water)
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

Ingredients for Nước Chấm (Vietnamese Dipping Sauce)

1/3 cup warm water
3 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons fish sauce (adjust to taste)
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 Thai chili, sliced
1 clove garlic, minced

For special twists, try our peach cobbler recipe if you want to explore more fresh and easy meal ideas.

How to Prepare the Perfect Vietnamese Spring Rolls: Step-by-Step Guide

Let’s walk through making Vietnamese spring rolls, a fun activity for home cooks of all levels. First, prepare your ingredients by washing and cutting the vegetables, cooking the shrimp, and soaking the vermicelli noodles as directed. This sets the stage for smooth assembly and ensures everything is ready to go.

Next, fill a large dish with warm water and dip one rice paper sheet at a time until it’s soft and pliable. Lay it flat on a clean, damp surface to make rolling easier without tears. Then, add your fillings like lettuce, herbs, veggies, noodles, and shrimp in a neat line.

Roll it up by folding the sides over and tucking tightly, just like wrapping a gift. Repeat for each roll and serve right away with your chosen sauce. Remember, the whole process takes about 50 minutes, including 30 minutes of prep and 20 minutes of cooking, so it’s quick for busy days.

To get the best results, I like to arrange the shrimp with the colorful side out it makes the rolls look amazing and adds that extra wow factor to your table.

Step	Description	Time Needed
1. Prepare ingredients	Wash veggies, cook shrimp, and soak noodles	15 minutes
2. Soften rice paper	Dip in warm water	5 minutes per roll
3. Assemble and roll	Add fillings and roll tightly	10 minutes per roll

Dietary Substitutions to Customize Your Vietnamese Spring Rolls

Protein and Main Component Alternatives

You can switch up proteins to fit your diet, like using marinated tofu instead of shrimp for a vegan option. This keeps the rolls tasty while meeting gluten-free needs by checking sauces. For a lighter meal, add more greens and cut back on noodles to keep calories in check.

Vegetable, Sauce, and Seasoning Modifications

Mix in different herbs or veggies based on what’s fresh, such as basil for mint or bell peppers for carrots. Try various sauces like peanut or chili to match your taste, and adjust for dietary preferences to make the dish your own.

For an external take on shrimp’s role in healthy eating, see health benefits of shrimp.

Mastering Vietnamese Spring Rolls: Advanced Tips and Variations

Once you’re comfortable with the basics, try some advanced tricks to improve your Vietnamese spring rolls. Lightly blanch your vegetables for a softer bite or chill everything for a cooler, refreshing version. Always use a damp towel to keep rice paper from sticking during assembly.

Experiment with flavors by adding grilled meats or spices like ginger for more depth. For serving, cut the rolls at an angle and add fun garnishes to make them pop on the plate. If you’re prepping ahead, store fillings separately and roll just before eating to keep things fresh.

Use 22cm rice paper for easier handling and more filling.
Cook shrimp with shells to keep their color bright.
Slice veggies thinly for the best texture.
Prepare sauces early to let flavors blend.

For more inspiration on fresh twists, check out this detailed guide that includes a video for visual learners.

How to Store Vietnamese Spring Rolls: Best Practices

Keeping your Vietnamese spring rolls fresh is simple with the right methods. Store them in an airtight container with damp paper towels to maintain moisture for up to 24 hours. Avoid freezing as it makes the rice paper brittle, so plan to eat them soon after making.

If you need to reheat, bring them to room temperature or steam gently to soften without losing texture. For meal prep, get fillings ready in advance and assemble right before serving to save time.

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About Vietnamese Spring Rolls

What are Vietnamese fresh spring rolls called and what ingredients do they usually contain?

Vietnamese fresh spring rolls are called gỏi cuốn in Vietnamese, which means “salad rolls.” These rolls typically include rice paper wrappers filled with cooked shrimp, rice vermicelli noodles, fresh herbs like mint or cilantro, lettuce, and thinly sliced vegetables such as cucumber and carrots. The ingredients are fresh and not fried, creating a light and healthy dish commonly served with dipping sauces.

How do I properly soften rice paper to avoid tearing when making Vietnamese spring rolls?

To soften rice paper, briefly dip it in lukewarm water for 1 to 2 seconds until it becomes pliable but not too soft. Let it rest on a damp surface where it will continue to soften. Avoid soaking rice paper in hot water, which can cause it to become too fragile and tear easily. Using water that is too cold may make the paper stiff and hard to roll.

What is the best way to arrange shrimp inside Vietnamese spring rolls for a good presentation?

For an attractive presentation, butterfly the shrimp and lay them with the orange-pink side facing outward near the top edge of the rice paper. This placement ensures the shrimp are visible through the translucent wrapper once rolled. Arrange only one layer of shrimp to maintain a neat appearance without bulk.

Can I prepare Vietnamese spring rolls in advance and store them without losing freshness?

Vietnamese spring rolls are best enjoyed fresh within a few hours of rolling. You can prepare ingredients and dipping sauces up to two days beforehand, but storing assembled rolls in the refrigerator makes the rice paper tough and less pliable. To keep them fresh for a short time, cover the rolls with a damp cloth and plastic wrap at room temperature until serving.

What are traditional dipping sauces for Vietnamese fresh spring rolls and how are they made?

The traditional dipping sauce is nước chấm, made by mixing fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, water, and chili for a balance of salty, sour, and sweet flavors. Peanut dipping sauce is another popular option, often made with peanut butter, hoisin sauce, water, and crushed peanuts. Both sauces complement the fresh, light flavors of the spring rolls.

Fresh Vietnamese Spring Rolls Recipe with Step-by-Step Video Guide

Why You’ll Love This Vietnamese Spring Rolls