Fresh, light, healthy, and summery Vietnamese salad rolls are packed with vermicelli noodles, shrimp, fresh vegetables and herbs and dipped in a homemade peanut dipping sauce. Plus, these summer rolls are super easy to make and are fully customizable, making them the perfect summer meal.

What is in Vietnamese Salad Rolls?
Vietnamese salad rolls, also known as spring rolls, summer rolls, or rice paper rolls are basically like a spring roll that are not fried. The key components in a salad roll are rice wrappers, vermicelli noodles, protein, vegetables, and fresh herbs.
- rice wrappers - To prepare the rice wrappers, I dipped them into warm water for one second. However, keep in mind that the texture and thickness of rice wrappers depends on the brand used. You might need to dip them in for a few more seconds to make them pliable, so refer to the package instructions.
- noodles - I used Wai Wai brand thin vermicelli rice noodles. They are my favourite noodles to use in this recipe and they are are gluten-free. You can find them widely available in most Asian grocery stores.
- protein - I used shrimp and boiled them for 5 minutes. You can also steam them. You can even substitute the shrimp for other protein including shredded chicken and firm tofu.
- vegetables - I used carrots and shredded them to make it easy. You can also slice or julienne them. Feel free to use other vegetables that you have one hand. Cucumbers, cabbage, lettuce, and avocado are some of the popular choices.
- herbs - cilantro, basil, and mint.
- peanut dipping sauce - made with a combination of hoisin sauce (or can substitute with black bean sauce), peanut butter, water, fresh lime juice, honey (or can substitute with sugar) and topped with roasted peanuts.
The best part about of making summer rolls is that it is totally customizable. You can choose your favourite vegetables or meat. The most popular choices include cucumbers, cabbage, lettuce, avocado, firm tofu, and shredded chicken.
How to Make the Best Vietnamese Salad Rolls with Shrimp and Peanut Dipping Sauce
- Prepare the shrimp: Bring a pot of water to a boil over high heat and add shrimp. Cook for 5 minutes. Remove and run it under cold water to cool down. Once cool enough to handle, slice in half.
- Prepare the vermicelli noodles: Bring a pot of water to a boil over high heat and add vermicelli noodles. Cook for 2 minutes until soft. Transfer the noodles to a bowl with a colander to completely drain out any water.
- Prepare the rice wrappers: Fill a large shallow bowl with warm water, about 1 to 2 inches high. Take one wrapper at a time and quickly dip it into the warm water for 1 second. Shake off excess water. The wrapper will start to soften and feel a bit sticky. Transfer the wrapper onto a clean dry flat surface.
- Assemble the salad rolls: Place 2 tablespoons of vermicelli noodles in the center of the wrapper into a log shape, leaving 2 inches of space on each side. Place 3 pieces of shrimp, pink side down, on a row above the noodles. Add 2 tablespoons of shredded carrots in a row underneath. Place 1 tablespoon of cilantro, ½ tablespoon basil and ½ tablespoon mint on top of the carrots.
- Wrap the salad rolls: From the bottom, roll the wrapper up tightly but gently so that you don't tear it. Roll it up halfway over top of the noodles. Then fold over the left and right sides inward. Then continue to tightly roll the wrapper to seal the mixture inside. If the wrapper doesn’t feel soft and pliable, apply some water to your fingers and to the wrapper to help it soften.
- Make the peanut sauce: Combine hoisin sauce, peanut butter, water, lime juice, and honey. Stir well with a spoon until smooth and uniform. Sprinkle some chopped roasted peanuts on top.
Tips for Making Summer Rolls
- Keep the ingredients are dry. You want to make sure that the vermicelli, shrimp and vegetables are fairly dry prior to wrapping. If you don’t eat the salad rolls right away and you leave them out for a few hours, excessive water from the vermicelli noodles might cause the rice wrappers to disintegrate and break apart.
- Read package instructions. In regards to the rice wrappers, keep in mind that the texture and thickness of rice wrappers depends on the brand used. You might need to dip them in for a few more seconds to make them pliable, so refer to the package instructions.
- Be patient. Be patient the first time you try to roll and wrap the salad rolls. It can take several attempts to figure out the technique. You can start with less filling, and once you get the hang of it, increase the amount of filling used.
- How to store salad rolls. Salad rolls are best served freshly made. Once they sit out for a few hours, excess water can cause the rice wrappers to break apart. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for no more than 24 hours.
- Make extra sauce. The peanut dipping sauce might be the best part. I like to make extra and dip everything in it. It goes so well with satay chicken or beef skewers or tossed in noodles.
More Summery Asian Dishes
- Teriyaki Grilled Salmon Rice Bowl
- Korean Beef Steak Rice Bowl
- Asian Cold Noodle Salad
- Spicy Chili Oil Wontons
- 10-Minute Chicken Pad Thai
- Thai Red Curry Mussels
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Recipe
Vietnamese Salad Rolls with Shrimp and Peanut Dipping Sauce
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 salad rolls
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Fresh, light and healthy Vietnamese salad rolls are packed with vermicelli noodles, shrimp, fresh vegetables and herbs and dipped in homemade peanut sauce.
Ingredients
Salad Rolls:
- 9 large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup thin rice vermicelli noodles
- 6 (8.5 inch) rice wrappers
- 1 cup carrots, shredded
- ⅓ cup cilantro, loosely chopped
- 3 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
- 3 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped
Peanut Dipping Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce (or black bean sauce)
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon water
- ½ tablespoon fresh lime juice
- ½ tablespoon honey (or granulated sugar)
- 1 tablespoon roasted peanuts, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the shrimp: Bring a pot of water to a boil over high heat and add shrimp. Cook for 5 minutes. Remove and run it under cold water to cool down. Once cool enough to handle, slice in half.
- Prepare the vermicelli noodles: Bring a pot of water to a boil over high heat and add vermicelli noodles. Cook for 2 minutes until soft. Transfer the noodles to a bowl with a strainer to completely drain out any water.
- Prepare the rice wrappers: Fill a large shallow bowl with warm water, about 1 to 2 inches high. Take one wrapper at a time and quickly dip it into the warm water for one second, or according to package directions. Shake off excess water. The wrapper will start to soften and feel a bit sticky. Transfer the wrapper onto a clean dry flat surface.
- Assemble the salad rolls: Place 2 tablespoons of vermicelli noodles in the center of the wrapper into a log shape, leaving 2 inches of space on each side. Place 3 pieces of shrimp, pink side down, on a row above the noodles. Add 2 tablespoons of shredded carrots in a row underneath. Place 1 tablespoon of cilantro, ½ tablespoon basil and ½ tablespoon mint on top of the shrimp.
- Wrap the salad rolls: From the bottom, roll the wrapper up tightly but gently so that you don't tear it. Roll it up halfway over top of the noodles. Then fold over the left and right sides inward. Then continue to tightly roll the wrapper to seal the mixture inside. If the wrapper doesn’t feel soft and pliable, apply some water to your fingers and to the wrapper to help it soften.
- Make the peanut sauce: Combine hoisin sauce, peanut butter, water, lime juice, and honey. Stir well with a spoon until smooth and uniform. Sprinkle some chopped roasted peanuts on top.
Notes
Customize the ingredients. Salad rolls are totally customizable. You can choose your favourite vegetables or meat. The most popular choices include cucumbers, cabbage, lettuce, cucumber, avocado, firm tofu, and shredded chicken.
Keep the ingredients dry. You want to make sure that the vermicelli, shrimp and vegetables are fairly dry prior to wrapping. If you don’t eat the salad rolls right away and you leave them out for a few hours, excessive water from the vermicelli noodles might cause the rice wrappers to disintegrate and break apart.
Read package instructions. To prepare the rice wrappers, I dipped them into warm water for one second. However, keep in mind that the texture and thickness of rice wrappers depends on the brand used. You might need to dip them in for a few more seconds to make them pliable, so refer to the package instructions.
Be patient. Be patient the first time you try to roll and wrap the salad rolls. It can take several attempts to figure out the technique. You can start with less filling, and once you get the hang of it, increase the amount of filling used.
How to store salad rolls. Salad rolls are best served freshly made. Once they sit out for a few hours, excess water can cause the rice wrappers to break apart. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for no more than 24 hours.
Make extra sauce. The peanut dipping sauce might be the best part. I like to make extra and dip everything in it. It goes really well with satay chicken or beef skewers or tossed in noodles.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Assembly Line
- Cuisine: Vietnamese
Ribin says
I've always wanted to try to make these, but was a little intimidated. I found this recipe and it was so easy to follow. I made them and they were delicious! I threw some garlic salt in the boiling water with the shrimp and added more lime juice and some cayenne to the peanut sauce. Other than that I followed the recipe exactly. I will make these often.
Kathleen says
This is a fantastic and simple recipe to follow. Making Vietnamese Spring rolls for the first time tonight and I had a blast. I didn't add shrimp as I prefer mine veggies only. I didn't have lime juice for the sauce so I substituted for lemon juice. Can't wait to try it next time with lime! Perfect main for my Bento boxes.
Nancy says
This is now my go-to recipe for salad rolls. I especially love the dipping sauce flavours. Have made it over and over and it’s a winner every time (and my rolling skills are improving thanks to wanting to make them so often!)
p.s. Actually, I haven’t had one dud recipe from your site, now that I think about it. Haven’t made many but what I have have been excellent.
Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme says
Thank you so much Nancy! That makes me so happy to hear!
Coralia Varga says
I love vietnamese rolls. I literally go to my local restaurant just to have them all the time. So I'm excited that I now came across your recipe and can make them at home.
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
That's great! Enjoy and keep me posted if you make it 🙂
GUNJAN C Dudani says
Summer rolls are my favorite. I missed them through out lock down situation. I cannot wait to try your recipe.
Mikayla says
This was such a fun meal to make. Ours didn't look nearly as pretty as yours but we enjoyed every bite and will definitely make them again!
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
So glad you liked the recipe! I have to agree, they are so fun to make!