Vibrant Lettuce Wrap Summer Rolls Recipe

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:
  • Rice Paper: Delicate wrapper that transforms into a soft, translucent vessel perfect for showcasing fresh fillings.
  • Lettuce: Crisp, refreshing green that adds a delightful crunch and lightweight base for the rolls.
For Protein and Vegetables:
  • Tofu, Mushrooms: Hearty plant-based proteins that absorb flavors beautifully and provide substantial texture.
  • Onion, Carrot, Water Chestnuts: Vibrant vegetables offering a mix of sweetness, crunch, and earthy undertones.
  • Green Onion: Adds a sharp, fresh kick and bright green color to the filling.
For Aromatic and Seasoning Ingredients:
  • Garlic, Ginger: Powerhouse aromatics that infuse the filling with deep, warming flavor profiles.
  • Avocado Oil: Neutral cooking oil with a high smoke point, ideal for achieving a perfect sauté.
  • Cilantro: Herbaceous element that brings a bright, citrusy note to the summer rolls.
  • Wonton Strips: Crispy texture element that provides a delightful crunch.
For Seasoning Mix:
  • Spices and Seasonings: Carefully blended to create a harmonious flavor that elevates the entire dish.
For Garnish and Sauce:
  • Toasted Sesame Seeds: Nutty, crunchy topping that adds visual appeal and subtle flavor.
  • Spicy Soy Sauce: Zesty dipping sauce that complements the fresh ingredients.

Tools for Rolling Fresh Lettuce Wrap Summer Rolls

  • Large Nonstick Sauté Pan: Essential for cooking mushrooms, tofu, and vegetables with even heat distribution.
  • Small Bowl: Perfect for whisking and mixing the seasoning blend.
  • Whisk: Helps combine seasoning ingredients smoothly.
  • Large Bowl: Needed for soaking rice paper and preparing assembly station.
  • Cutting Board: Great for chopping vegetables and preparing ingredients.
  • Sharp Knife: Crucial for precise ingredient preparation.
  • Dampened Surface (like a clean kitchen towel): Provides ideal spot for rolling summer rolls.

Rolling and Assembling Lettuce Wrap Summer Rolls

  • Flavor Foundation

Create a harmonious seasoning blend that will elevate the entire dish. Mix spices together in a small bowl, ensuring all ingredients are well combined.

  • Mushroom and Tofu Sauté

Heat pan and transform mushrooms and tofu into a crispy, golden mixture. Cook until liquid disappears and proteins develop a delightful texture.

  • Vegetable Symphony

Add colorful vegetables to the pan, introducing layers of flavor and crunch. Let onions become translucent and garlic release its aromatic essence.

  • Cooling and Preparation

Allow the filling to cool down, letting flavors meld and intensify. Prepare your workspace with all necessary components for rolling.

  • Rice Paper Magic

Gently soften rice paper in water, creating a delicate wrapper. Carefully layer ingredients, focusing on balance and proportion.

  • Rolling Technique

Fold rice paper with precision, creating neat and compact summer rolls. Ensure edges are tucked and rolls are tightly sealed.

  • Presentation and Garnish

Arrange rolls beautifully on a serving plate. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions for a final touch of elegance.

  • Dipping Sauce

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

  • Pat tofu extra dry before cooking to achieve a crispier texture and prevent excess moisture during sautéing.
  • Swap mushrooms with other vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini for a personalized summer roll experience.
  • Prepare filling up to two days in advance and store in an airtight container for quick assembly when hunger strikes.
  • Keep a damp kitchen towel nearby to prevent rice paper from sticking and tearing during rolling.
  • Experiment with different crunchy vegetables like julienned cucumber or bean sprouts to add extra texture and freshness to your summer rolls.

Lettuce Wrap Summer Rolls Serving Inspiration

  • Craft a Colorful Plate: Arrange the summer rolls on a vibrant platter, showcasing the golden-brown tofu, crisp vegetables, and delicate rice paper wrappers for an Instagram-worthy presentation.
  • Dip and Delight: Serve the spicy soy sauce in small individual ramekins, allowing guests to customize their dipping experience and enjoy the perfect balance of heat and flavor.
  • Fresh Herb Garnish: Sprinkle additional chopped cilantro and green onions over the rolls, adding a burst of freshness and a pop of green color that elevates the visual appeal and taste.
  • Party Platter Perfection: Create a interactive appetizer station by setting out prepared summer rolls, sauce, and garnishes, letting guests assemble their own rolls for a fun, engaging dining experience.

How to Store Lettuce Wrap Summer Rolls

  • Prepare Like a Pro: Storage Solutions
  • Refrigerate Smartly: Store summer rolls wrapped individually in plastic wrap or sealed container for maximum freshness, consuming within 1-2 days for best taste and texture.
  • Prevent Soggy Situation: Keep rice paper and filling ingredients separately to maintain crispness, assembling rolls just before serving to avoid moisture breakdown.
  • Freeze Filling Ahead: Cooked mushroom-tofu mixture can be refrigerated up to 3 days or frozen for 2 weeks in airtight containers, making meal prep super convenient.
  • Sauce Survival Strategy: Keep spicy soy sauce in a sealed jar in refrigerator, which stays fresh for approximately one week, ready to enhance your summer rolls anytime.
Print
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Vibrant Lettuce Wrap Summer Rolls Recipe

Vibrant Lettuce Wrap Summer Rolls Recipe


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4.6 from 38 reviews

  • 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

Scale
  • 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

  1. Seasoning Preparation: Meticulously blend all spices in a mixing bowl, whisking until uniformly combined, then reserve for later use.
  2. 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).
  3. 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).
  4. Filling Completion: Incorporate green onions, remove from heat, and allow filling to cool to room temperature.
  5. Rice Paper Handling: Submerge rice paper in cool water for 12-15 seconds until pliable, then transfer to a damp work surface.
  6. Roll Assembly: Position a lettuce leaf as the base, spread cooled filling on the bottom third. Strategically place cilantro leaves and wonton strips.
  7. Rolling Technique: Fold bottom edge over filling, tuck sides, and roll tightly to create compact summer rolls.
  8. 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

Michael Rivera

Co-Founder & Culinary Instructor

Expertise

  • Classic French Cuisine
  • Artisanal Bread Baking
  • Plant-Based Culinary Innovation
  • Recipe & Menu Development
  • Interactive Online Instruction

Education

The French Culinary Institute (now part of the International Culinary Center)

  • Program: Classic Culinary Arts
  • Focus: An intensive curriculum rooted in classical French techniques, artisanal bread production, and contemporary culinary methods.

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.

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