Vegetarian Summer Rolls with Peanut Lime Sauce

Vegetarian summer rolls have been one of the dishes I make regularly for years. They are loved by everyone in our home. Why? They taste light, refreshing and incredibly delicious. Plus, anyone can fill them with whatever ingredients they feel like.

What are Summer Rolls aka Gỏi cuốn?

Summer rolls are a Vietnamese appetizer that literally translates to “salad roll.” Rice paper is briefly soaked in water and filled with all different kind of ingredients: Rice noodles, vegetables, fruits or even fish and shrimp make the summer rolls a delicious, healthy dish.

Vegetarian Summer Rolls - our favorite fillings:

• cucumber
• carrot
• pepper
• avocado
• spring onions
• fresh mango (soo good!)
• rice noodles
• fresh cilantro

But the choice of filling is very flexible! Add any ingredient you feel like could be tasty in it. Here's some more ideas:

• sugar snaps
• cooked rice
• fresh spinach
• apples
• fresh beet root, cut into small stripes

This is how you make Vegetarian Summer Rolls

The Rice Paper

For the homemade summer rolls you need rice paper and warm water. You can usually find the round rice paper in the Asian section of the supermarket. Right before adding the filling, the rice paper needs to be dipped in warm water so that it becomes slightly soft. It should not be soaked for too long though so that the wraps do not tear when rolled up. If you feel like the rice paper is very thin you can add a second one (also dipped in water) on it.

The Filling: vegetables, fruits, rice noodles

The ingredients for the filling of the summer rolls are very variable. Whatever tastes good goes in. :) Cut the vegetables and fruits you want into thin strips and place them on a plate within easy reach.

The Peanut Lime Sauce

Since the vegetarian summer rolls ingredients wrapped in rice paper are not seasoned, they need a tasty sauce.

This creamy peanut lime sauce goes so well with the summer rolls. It's smooth, slightly salty because of the soy sauce, refreshing because of the lime and slightly sweet because of the honey (or maple syrup). It's PERFECT.

How to make Vegetarian Summer Rolls with Peanut Lime Sauce

1. Prepare the rice noodles according to the packaging instructions. Rinse with cold water. Set aside.
2. Mix the ingredients for the peanut lime sauce in a bowl and place in the refrigerator until needed.
3. Wash, clean and cut the vegetables and fruits for the filling into more or less equally thin stripes.
4. Dip a rice paper in lukewarm water and put on a clean, slightly watered countertop.
5. Add your ingredients of choice to the center: rice noodles, vegetables, herbs, etc.
6. Fold the summer rolls: top to the middle, bottom to the middle, one side to the middle and the roll it up. (see photos)
7. The best part: serve with the summer rolls sauce and enjoy!

Vegetarian Summer Rolls with Peanut Lime Sauce - Tips & FAQ

Do not soak the rice paper in water for too long.

Use lukewarm (not hot!) water and quickly dip the rice paper in it. If you'd soak it for too long it could rip when adding the filling.

Moisten your work surface with water

Your countertop needs to be clean and always slightly wet so the rice paper doesn't stick to it.

Do not overfill your Summer Rolls

Don't add to much filling into each summer roll. That way it's easier to roll them up and they don't tear apart.

This is how you store the Vegetarian Summer Rolls

Add the summer rolls to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to two days.

Want a fun and delicious alternative? Try a Summer Rolls Salad!

If you really want to eat this delicious dish but don't have the time to cut the ingredients into strips and wrap them nicely in the rice paper, then you can easily convert the recipe into a Summer Rolls Salad!

For the Summer Rolls Salad, skip the rice paper, cut the vegetables and fruit into the size you want, put everything in a bowl with the cooked glass noodles and marinate it with the peanut lime sauce.

If you have made this Vegetarian Summer Rolls Recipe or any other recipe here from Flowers in the Salad, please leave a review. I'm always incredibly happy to see when you like my recipes. 🙂

I'm also super excited if you send me a message or link me on INSTAGRAM .

Here's more lunch recipes for you:

• Creamy cauliflower soup with chickpeas
• Roasted Carrot and Coconut Soup