Description
These Lettuce Wrap Summer Rolls are a light, refreshing appetizer perfect for warm weather. Made with crisp butter or romaine lettuce leaves packed with a colorful mix of cooked shrimp or grilled tofu, rice noodles, fresh vegetables, herbs, and optional crushed peanuts, these rolls offer a delightful combination of textures and flavors. Served with your choice of dipping sauce like peanut sauce or nuoc cham, they make a healthy, gluten-free, and easy-to-prepare snack or starter that’s sure to impress.
Ingredients
Scale
Wraps and Fillings
- 8 large butter or romaine lettuce leaves
- 1 cup cooked shrimp or grilled tofu, sliced thin
- 1 cup cooked rice noodles
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup cucumber, julienned
- 1/4 cup red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
- 1/4 cup fresh basil or cilantro leaves
- 1/4 cup crushed peanuts (optional)
Dipping Sauce
- Dipping sauce of choice (such as peanut sauce or nuoc cham)
Instructions
- Prepare the Lettuce Leaves: Lay the lettuce leaves flat on a clean surface or plate, ensuring they are intact and large enough to hold the fillings securely.
- Layer the Fillings: Place a small amount of cooked rice noodles in the center of each leaf, followed by a generous portion of cooked shrimp or grilled tofu, shredded carrots, julienned cucumber, thinly sliced red bell pepper, fresh mint leaves, and basil or cilantro leaves. Sprinkle crushed peanuts over the fillings if using.
- Roll the Wraps: Fold the sides of the lettuce inward to enclose the fillings, then roll the leaf tightly from one end to the other like a burrito to keep everything in place.
- Serve with Dipping Sauce: Arrange the summer rolls on a serving plate and serve immediately with your preferred dipping sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
- To keep the rolls crisp, prep fillings in advance but assemble right before serving.
- You can substitute lettuce leaves with rice paper wraps if you prefer a traditional summer roll.
- For a low-carb version, omit the rice noodles and increase the amount of vegetables and protein.
- Use grilled tofu instead of shrimp for a vegetarian or vegan option.
- Adjust herbs according to your taste preferences or availability.
