Make Some Veggie Spring Rolls
It is an excellent time of year to make some vegetarian spring rolls and enjoy the spring veggies available this season! The more colorful, the better. These are the fresh spring rolls that are uncooked, not the ones that are not fried, although sometimes the fried ones are also spring rolls.
The first time that I was introduced to these delicious Thai or Vietnamese fresh veggie rolls was in Saint Louis on the Delmar Loop, and later, Vietnamese fresh spring rolls on South Grand near where I went to graduate school at Saint Louis University.
These rolls are vegan and contain protein from the tofu, veggies, and rice noodles/wrappers. You can also add fruit. If you eat fish, that can also be quite tasty!
These rolls are also low in fodmap and gluten-free. I love them for their fresh taste, but I am also thankful that they are also good for me!
Veggie Spring Roll Recipe
Thai Vegetarian Spring Rolls
You can add any combination of fresh veggies in season or choose your veggies based on the colors. We got our rice wrappers and noodles at a local Asian grocery store. I love the rainbow of colors in these rolls!
Here are the veggies that I used in my vegetarian spring rolls.
Make approximately 12 veggie spring rolls.
Thinly sliced red cabbage
Thai or other fresh basil
Stemmed cilantro
Thinly sliced cucumber (peeled and seeded)
Thinly sliced red bell peppers
Thinly sliced carrots
Thinly sliced uncooked tofu
Cooked Premium Vietnamese Rice Vermicelli
Vietnamese Rice Wrappers/papers
Crushed peanuts
Wash and prep vegetables. I like putting them on a tray to locate everything while I conveniently wrap the veggie spring rolls.
To cook rice vermicelli, boil the water and cook for 6-8 minutes. Stir periodically to prevent sticking. Drain and rinse in a colander in cold water. I used about half a pack of noodles. (so I can make more next time)
Take a shallow bowl and add warm water to soak it. Soften each wrapper/paper to soak it.
I also include a dishcloth to roll these Thai Vegetarian Spring Rolls. This works better for me than a tray, where I tend to get the soft rice wrapper/paper stuck all over everything. The dishcloth allows me to roll the veggie spring roll without sticking.
Other delicious veggie spring roll variation ideas:
Try some kale or collard spring rolls with sliced avocado, fresh pineapple chunks, fresh mint, and mung bean sprouts. Add sliced almonds and substitute almond butter instead of peanut butter in the sauce.
Another fun idea is thinly sliced romaine, mango, alfalfa sprouts, purple basil, and seasoned baked tempeh. Top with a jerk sauce and top with toasted coconut.
You can also add edible flowers like pansies or nasturtiums to your veggie spring rolls, which would make them extremely beautiful.
If you eat fish, you can include steamed shrimp or salmon inside them.
Nuoc Cham Peanut Sauce
Fresh veggie spring rolls are also served with nuoc cham sauce, a Vietnamese condiment often served with many foods. They are also often served with a peanut sauce. I have made a sauce inspired by both sauces so I can enjoy all the flavors!
1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
Two tablespoons fresh lime juice
Two teaspoon rice wine vinegar
One teaspoon chili flakes
1/3 cup soy sauce
3 tablespoons maple syrup or brown sugar
Water if needed, to get to the right consistency
Chopped peanuts, chopped green onions, and cilantro for possible garnishes.
Main Dishes to Pair with a Veggie Spring Roll
Although these spring rolls can be eaten all by themselves as a snack or light meal, they can also be paired with some delicious meals. Here are a few delicious main dishes that you can pair with these vegetarian spring rolls:
First, try a veggie spring roll with a Vietnamese Bun for a cool summer meal, which is not a bun at all but a salad.
Pad Thai is also an excellent pair for a fresh veggie roll!
I also long them with an eggplant and tofu stir fry or bowl.
Enjoy Making Some Vegetarian Spring Rolls
I hope that you will love making and eating these veggie spring rolls! As an Asheville nutritionist and registered dietitian, I share my love of food with my clients. Having some ideas for easy-to-make, good-tasting foods goes a long way toward helping us eat healthier.
If you are looking for support in eating healthier and a tasty list of suggestions, here are some ways that I can help: Nutrition Consultation—Vine Ripe Nutrition Work With Me. Contact me here for more about our visits!
If you want to go more into depth about plant-based eating, you may be interested in the Fresh Approach to Plant-Based Eating program. Find out more here: healthy vegetarian meal plan (vineripenutrition.com)
