FRESH SPRING ROLLS & PEANUT DIPPING SAUCE

May 26, 2022

It’s been forever since I’ve had fresh spring rolls! So, I solved that problem with these homemade Fresh Spring Rolls & Peanut Dipping Sauce. Hubby agrees these taste as yummy the ones from our favorite Thai spot (though spring rolls are actually Vietnamese in origin). This version is full of plump shrimp, crunchy cabbage and carrots, bold radish, and fresh herbs. They’re perfect dipped in the sweet and spicy peanut sauce!

Did you know? Wild-caught shrimp and shrimp farmed in the US are not administered antibiotics. This is often not the case with imported shrimp. The use of antibiotics has been linked to “antibiotic resistance,” i.e., outbreaks of disease that do not respond to antibiotic treatment. If you’re not sure, look for the Marine Stewardship Council or Best Aquaculture Practices certification label. (source)

For this recipe, I used precooked peeled and deveined tail-off shrimp. Small or medium shrimp work best! Thaw the shrimp in the fridge overnight, or in the sink in the bag under cool water. You can also buy raw peeled and deveined shrimp – just steam until pink, then pluck the tails off!

Baked tofu would make a delicious vegan option, or tempeh pan-fried with coconut aminos (mmm).

What veggies to use in spring rolls?

I wanted super colorful rolls, so I went with purple cabbage, carrots, and radish for my veggies. Other recipes call for green cabbage, collard greens, chard, lettuce, bell peppers, cucumber, even pickled beets – so use what you like! Fresh herbs are a must for authentic spring or summer rolls, traditionally basil, cilantro, and mint. Again, add what you like!

Making the rice paper rolls

For the rice paper spring roll wrappers, I used Blue Dragon brand from my local Walmart, but any brand will do! Just make sure each sheet is roughly 10 inches across. If yours are smaller, you’ll just need more sheets!

The trick with rice paper wrappers is to soak them just until soft (about 15-25 seconds in my case). Wet the area you are working on and don’t be afraid to re-wet your wrapper with your fingers if it starts sticking too soon!

Gently wrap your contents like a burrito: lay soaked rice paper sheet on a wetted surface, quickly arrange fillings across the bottom half of the sheet, fold up the bottom first, fold the sides in, tuck stray fillings into your “pocket,” and carefully roll up onto itself.

I didn’t add vermicelli noodles to my spring rolls because the rice paper rolls had enough carbs for me, but that’s definitely an option.

Making the peanut sauce

For the sauce, I used natural creamy peanut butter (can sub cashew, almond, or sunflower seed butter), reduced sodium soy sauce (can sub tamari sauce or coconut aminos), honey (use maple syrup for strict vegan), rice wine vinegar (can sub sake), and fresh ginger and garlic (can sub one teaspoon dried ground ginger and one quarter teaspoon garlic powder). The red pepper flakes add a little heat and are optional. You could also try half a teaspoon of sriracha in place of the red pepper!

Now, here’s the printable recipe for these Fresh Spring Rolls & Peanut Dipping Sauce. I hope you’ll rate and comment below if you try them 😉

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Fresh Spring Rolls & Peanut Dipping Sauce

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Category

Lunch

Cuisine

Vietnamese

Servings

6

Prep Time

30 minutes

Cook Time

10 minutes

Calories

300

These fresh spring rolls are gluten-free and high protein, with a sweet and spicy peanut sauce that's perfect for dipping! Make them with shrimp, chicken, or baked tofu. 

Ingredients

• 24 oz. (60 count) medium tail-off shrimp* cooked, peeled and deveined
• 1 cup purple cabbage shredded or finely chopped*

• 1 cup carrot, shredded or finely chopped*

• 1 cup radish, sliced thin*

• 6 tbsp. fresh cilantro (optional)

• 6 tbsp. fresh basil (optional)

• 6 tbsp. fresh mint (optional)

• 1 dozen 10” rice spring roll wrappers (I used Blue Dragon brand)

Dipping sauce:

• 6 tbsp. creamy peanut butter* (or cashew butter)

• 3 tbsp. less sodium soy sauce* (or coconut aminos)

• 2 tbsp. honey* (or maple syrup)

• 2 tbsp. rice vinegar* (or sake)

• 2 cloves garlic,* minced

• 2 tsp. fresh ginger,* minced

• 1/8 tsp. red pepper flakes* (optional)

*See blog post for more substitutions.

Directions

1. If using frozen shrimp, thaw in bag in fridge overnight, or under cool trickling water, then drain liquid and set aside in fridge.

2. Meanwhile, blend ingredients for dipping sauce or mix by hand until smooth. Add water if needed to reach desired consistency. Set aside.

3. Wash and prepare all your vegetables and herbs. Set aside on a plate.

4. Fill a large bowl with water as hot as you can handle.

5. Clean and thoroughly wet your work surface (where you will be making your rolls). I usually use a cutting board.

6. Soak one rice paper sheet until no stiff areas remain (about 15-25 seconds).

7. Lay soaked sheet on wetted surface and quickly arrange fillings across the bottom half of the sheet. Fresh herbs, then vegetables, then 5 shrimp. Fold up the bottom edge first, then fold the sides in, tucking in any stray fillings and carefully rolling up onto itself. Repeat for remaining sheets.

8. Rolls can be enjoyed fresh, or kept in an airtight container in the fridge up to one week. Separate your rolls with wax paper or parchment paper so the don’t stick to each other!

Recipe Note

Calories (per roll): 85kcal, Fat: 0.3g, Sat fat: 0.3g, Carbs: 10g, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Protein: 12g, Sodium: 218mg

Calories (per 2 tbsp. sauce): 130kcal, Fat: 8.0g, Sat fat: 1.5g, Carbs: 10g, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 7g, Protein: 4g, Sodium: 318mg

Calories (per 2 rolls + 2 tbsp. sauce): 300kcal, Fat: 8.6g, Sat fat: 1.8g, Carbs: 30g, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 9g, Protein: 28g, Sodium: 755mg

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