Breezy Lettuce Wrap Summer Rolls Recipe for Sunny Days
Vibrant summer rolls packed with the crisp crunch of lettuce wraps burst with fresh, zesty flavors that dance across your palate.
These delightful Vietnamese-inspired rolls offer a light and refreshing meal perfect for warm days.
Tender rice paper embraces a medley of colorful vegetables, herbs, and protein that creates a delectable handheld delight.
Chopping ingredients becomes a joyful culinary adventure that promises bright, clean tastes in every bite.
Delicate yet satisfying, these rolls bring a restaurant-quality experience right to your kitchen.
Minimal cooking and maximum flavor make these summer rolls an instant favorite for quick and healthy eating.
Get ready to roll your way into a delicious summer sensation that will impress everyone at the table.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Calories: 180 kcal
Servings: 5
What’s in Lettuce Wrap Summer Rolls
For Base Ingredients:For Protein and Vegetables:For Aromatic and Seasoning Ingredients:For Seasoning Mix:For Garnish and Sauce:Tools for Rolling Fresh Lettuce Wrap Summer Rolls
Rolling and Assembling Lettuce Wrap Summer Rolls
Create a harmonious seasoning blend that will elevate the entire dish. Mix spices together in a small bowl, ensuring all ingredients are well combined.
Heat pan and transform mushrooms and tofu into a crispy, golden mixture. Cook until liquid disappears and proteins develop a delightful texture.
Add colorful vegetables to the pan, introducing layers of flavor and crunch. Let onions become translucent and garlic release its aromatic essence.
Allow the filling to cool down, letting flavors meld and intensify. Prepare your workspace with all necessary components for rolling.
Gently soften rice paper in water, creating a delicate wrapper. Carefully layer ingredients, focusing on balance and proportion.
Fold rice paper with precision, creating neat and compact summer rolls. Ensure edges are tucked and rolls are tightly sealed.
Arrange rolls beautifully on a serving plate. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions for a final touch of elegance.
Serve with a zesty soy-based sauce that complements the fresh, vibrant flavors of the summer rolls.
Crisp Tips for Summer Rolls with Lettuce Wraps
Lettuce Wrap Summer Rolls Serving Inspiration
How to Store Lettuce Wrap Summer Rolls
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Vibrant Lettuce Wrap Summer Rolls Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 5 1x
Description
Vietnamese summer rolls combine fresh herbs, crisp vegetables, and succulent shrimp in delicate rice paper. Rice paper wraps create light, refreshing parcels perfect for warm days when fresh ingredients shine.
Ingredients
- 15 rice paper sheets
- 1 head butter leaf lettuce
- 12 oz (340 g) cremini mushrooms, chopped
- 8 oz (226 g) extra firm tofu, drained, pat dry, and crumbled
- 1 cup onion, diced
- 1 cup water chestnuts, drained and diced
- 0.75 cup carrot, grated
- 1 cup green onion, chopped, plus more for garnish
- 8 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps minced ginger
- 0.25 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 3 tbsps hoisin sauce
- 2 tbsps chili garlic sauce, or Sambal Oelek
- 2 tsps coconut sugar
- 2 tsps dark soy sauce (optional)
- 2 tsps toasted sesame oil
- 1 tsp Chinese 5 spice
- 2 tbsps avocado oil
- Fresh chopped cilantro
- Crispy wonton strips
- Spicy soy sauce, for serving
- Toasted sesame seeds, for garnish
Instructions
- Seasoning Preparation: Meticulously blend all spices in a mixing bowl, whisking until uniformly combined, then reserve for later use.
- Protein Sautéing: Heat avocado oil in a large nonstick pan over medium-high heat, adding diced mushrooms and crumbled tofu. Sear until tofu achieves a golden, crispy texture, stirring intermittently (10-12 minutes).
- Vegetable Integration: Reduce heat to medium, introducing onions, water chestnuts, carrots, garlic, and ginger. Sprinkle seasoning mix, stirring until onions turn translucent and garlic releases its fragrant notes (4-5 minutes).
- Filling Completion: Incorporate green onions, remove from heat, and allow filling to cool to room temperature.
- Rice Paper Handling: Submerge rice paper in cool water for 12-15 seconds until pliable, then transfer to a damp work surface.
- Roll Assembly: Position a lettuce leaf as the base, spread cooled filling on the bottom third. Strategically place cilantro leaves and wonton strips.
- Rolling Technique: Fold bottom edge over filling, tuck sides, and roll tightly to create compact summer rolls.
- Presentation: Plate immediately with spicy soy sauce for dipping, garnishing with toasted sesame seeds and additional green onions for visual and flavor enhancement.
Notes
- Master Rice Paper Technique: Submerge rice paper precisely 12-15 seconds to achieve perfect pliability without tearing, ensuring smooth rolling and preventing breakage.
- Optimize Tofu Texture: Sauté tofu on medium-high heat for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally to create a crispy golden exterior that adds delightful crunch and depth to summer rolls.
- Balance Moisture Control: Allow filling to cool completely before rolling to prevent soggy rice paper and maintain ideal structural integrity of summer rolls.
- Strategic Layering Tip: Place lettuce leaf as first layer inside rice paper to create a moisture barrier, preventing filling from making wrapper soggy and enhancing overall texture.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Vietnamese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Michael Rivera
Co-Founder & Culinary Instructor
Expertise
Education
The French Culinary Institute (now part of the International Culinary Center)
Michael Rivera is a seasoned chef and culinary instructor based in San Francisco, CA. Trained in Classic Culinary Arts at The French Culinary Institute, he refined his skills in Michelin-starred kitchens, mastering classic French techniques and artisanal bread baking.
Passionate about making gourmet methods accessible, Michael co-founded thatsmyhome.com to share his expertise through interactive online lessons and innovative, plant-based recipes. He loves blending traditional techniques with modern ideas, encouraging home cooks to enjoy the art of cooking in a relaxed, fun environment.