We’re doing something a little different today, folks! Our lovely friends Seth + Vi had us over for dinner last week when we were in Iowa, and they made these amazing Traditional Vietnamese Spring Rolls for us. So, this post is sort of a guest post! I’m writing up the blog post but Seth took the pictures and Vi wrote up the recipe. Enjoy!
P.S. – Seth is a wedding + event photographer and his work is incredible! Check it out here.
I should probably tell you that I NEVER thought I would like spring rolls. I have now seen the light! If you’re a little scared of trying new foods (I’m totally guilty of this!) this is a great place to start. Peanut sauce, rice noodles, shrimp, marinated beef – helloooo my new loves!
I need to try Pho next! I’ve heard so many good things and now that I know I like spring rolls, I think I’ll like Pho too. Have you guys ever tried Spring Rolls or Pho??
Seth took some great step-by-step photos to walk you through this recipe. Spring rolls are actually pretty simple to make and it’s a super fun recipe to make for a gathering with friends! This recipe makes enough for about 30 rolls, so you can definitely cut it in half if you’re not cooking for a group!
Okay, now down to biz.
First, you marinate and cook your meat (they used shrimp and beef!) with some onions.
Then, you cook your noodles, mix up your sauce, and get out your veggies (lettuce, cilantro, cucumber).
To assemble your spring rolls, quickly dunk the wrapper in some water. (Don’t be freaked out by that contraption that’s holding the water – you can get one at an Asian market or on Amazon
– or you can just dunk the wrappers in a large bowl of water! I’ll have some more info on this in the recipe notes below, as well.) Don’t leave the wrapper in for more than a few seconds or it will get too soggy.
Add your toppings –
And roll the whole thing up like a tiny little burrito!
Easy peasy and so delicious! I probably ate, like, 5 of them. They’re seriously so good. I challenge you to get out of your food comfort zone and try something new this weekend! If you’ve never had spring rolls, let that new thing you try be this recipe.
Thanks Seth + Vi to introducing us to the wonder that is the Spring Roll!
Did you make this recipe? Snap a photo!
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Traditional Vietnamese Spring Rolls
Ingredients
- FOR THE SPRING ROLLS
- 1 lb eye of round roast, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- Pinch of pepper
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 of a white onion, thinly sliced
- 1 lb of rice stick noodles
- olive oil
- 1 package rice paper
- 1 head green leaf lettuce, rinsed
- 1 cucumber halved and sliced into thin strips
- 1/2 a bunch of cilantro, rinsed
- FOR THE NUOC MAM SAUCE
- 2 tbsp vinegar
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 1/4 cup + 1 tbsp warm water 1/2 cup if you want it more diluted
- chili garlic sauce, to taste
Instructions
- Prep: Toss meat, garlic, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and pepper in a large bowl. Marinate the meat in the fridge for at least 15 minutes. While meat marinates, prepare the rice noodles according to package instructions. Rinse the noodles under cold water after noodles are cooked and lightly drizzle them with olive oil to prevent them from sticking. Set aside. Prepare the Nuoc Mam sauce by mixing the vinegar, sugar, fish sauce, warm water, and chili garlic sauce in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Cook the meat: Heat the coconut oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sautee the onion for a minute or two. Add the shrimp and sautee for 2-3 minutes. Add the marinated beef and and cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat and shrimp are done. If you don't have a pan big enough to cook all the meat in at once, do this in two batches, adding half the onion, coconut oil, shrimp, and meat in the same order - and repeating with the remaining half of these things.
- Assemble: Fill rice water bowl or a regular bowl with warm water. Dunk 1 rice paper wrapper into the bowl for a few seconds (no more than this or it will get too soggy!) and then transfer to a clean plate. Add noodles, meat and desired veggies. Roll the spring roll up like a burrito, folding in the ends as you roll. Dip the spring roll into the Nuoc Mam sauce, Peanut sauce, or enjoy on it's own!
Notes
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Ttrockwood says
I know these by the name summer rolls- and I LOVE them! For filling i like to use less noodles and thin sliced smoked tofu since i’m vegetarian. I use cucumber, abocado, thin sliced bell pepper, some crunchy lettuce and both fresh basil and cilantro which is soooo important
Definitely takes a few tries to get a hang of how to roll them nice and tight. I do a peanut butter/lime juice/soy sauce/rice vinegar mix for dipping
Stephanie Simmons says
That sounds so perfect! And yes, rolling them is definitely a little tricky at first haha!
Ben Myhre says
These Spring Rolls look great!
Stephanie Simmons says
Thanks Ben! ?
Syama says
Love making these – Usually it is a quick way to use up leftover chicken/shrimp and salad veggies. Am definitely going to try this version.
Stephanie Simmons says
Totally agree! Kind of like a clean-out-the-fridge meal! ?
Chef Mireille says
I love making spring rolls – they are great for parties so everyone can stuff them as they want with different choices of fillings
Stephanie Simmons says
Absolutely!! It’s so fun to make them with friends
Mayuri Patel says
These spring rolls have been on my list of to do for so long. Have enjoyed them at a restaurant with tofu and vegetable filling. Love your step by step explanation.
Stephanie Simmons says
Thanks Mayuri!! So glad this post is helpful for you ?
Casey Rodweller says
I love spring rolls and these look absolutely fantastic. And I might have to make them for my next get together! Thanks for another fabulous recipe!
Stephanie Simmons says
They are so fun to make with friends! And thanks so much for your kind words, Casey! ❤️❤️
Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness says
I am obsessed with spring rolls. I think I would eat a lot more than 5 of these! :p
Stephanie Simmons says
Haha it was hard not to eat them all!! ?
Honey The Girl Next Shore says
Oh I love these Vietnamese spring rolls so much! There’s a place I go to every year in the French Riviera that’s got the best Vietnamese rolls in the world – i really love them
Stephanie Simmons says
That sounds so amazing! Now I’m adding the French Riviera to my travel list ?
Jacqueline Debono says
I LOVE eating like this and those spring rolls look and sound really yummy. I need to check out an Asian shop to find rice paper wrappers. Unfortunately here in Italy it’s hard to find many Asian ingredients. There are Asian shops but they’re not so well stocked!
Stephanie Simmons says
Oh that’s a bummer! I hope you’re able to find some! I haven’t checked but I bet you could order them on Amazon!
Syama says
I have recently started making these at home. It is a great way to use up the left over bits of meat and salad vegetables. I will definitely try this traditional version. thank you for sharing !
Stephanie Simmons says
I hope you love this version!
camila hurst says
Very amazing pics of the whole process! Looks like a very fun day for you guys and also full of delicious food!
Stephanie Simmons says
Thanks Camila!! It was a fun time with good food and great friends! ?
Lisa says
Yum! I love homemade spring rolls and your’s look so tasty! Great post!
Stephanie Simmons says
Thanks so much Lisa! ❤️