Fresh Lettuce Wrap Summer Rolls- Easy & Delicious

Beat the summer heat with these incredibly refreshing Fresh Lettuce Wrap Summer Rolls! This easy-to-make dish is packed with vibrant flavors and textures, making it the perfect light meal or appetizer for a sunny day. Forget heavy cooking and dive into a delicious, healthy delight that everyone will love.

Ingredients

• 12 sheets round rice paper wrappers (8.5 inches)
• 1 head butter lettuce or romaine, leaves separated and washed
• 1 cup cooked shrimp, peeled, deveined, and halved lengthwise (or cooked chicken/tofu for vegetarian)
• 1 cup cooked vermicelli rice noodles, prepared according to package directions and cooled
• 1 large carrot, julienned or finely shredded
• 1 large cucumber, julienned
• 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
• 1/4 cup chopped roasted peanuts (optional, for garnish or inside)
• For the Peanut Dipping Sauce:
• 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
• 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1-2 tbsp warm water (to thin, as needed)
• Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

1. 1. Prepare the Dipping Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together peanut butter, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and minced garlic until smooth. Add warm water 1 tablespoon at a time until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. Stir in red pepper flakes if using. Set aside.
2. 2. Prepare Filling Ingredients: Ensure all your filling ingredients (shrimp, noodles, carrots, cucumber, mint, cilantro, lettuce) are prepped and laid out on a large platter or cutting board, ready for assembly. This makes the rolling process much smoother.
3. 3. Soften Rice Paper: Fill a shallow dish (larger than your rice paper) with warm water. Dip one rice paper wrapper into the warm water for about 15-20 seconds, or until it’s pliable but not overly soft or sticky. Lay the softened wrapper flat on a clean, damp surface (like a cutting board or large plate).
4. 4. Assemble the Roll: Place a single lettuce leaf near the bottom edge of the rice paper wrapper. On top of the lettuce, arrange a small handful of vermicelli noodles, 2-3 shrimp halves, a few strips of carrot and cucumber, and a sprig or two of mint and cilantro.
5. 5. Fold and Roll: Fold the bottom edge of the rice paper wrapper up over the fillings, tucking it in snugly. Fold in the left and right sides of the wrapper towards the center. Then, continue rolling tightly from the bottom towards the top, creating a firm cylinder.
6. 6. Repeat and Serve: Repeat the dipping, filling, and rolling process with the remaining ingredients until all the wrappers and fillings are used. Arrange the finished summer rolls on a serving platter.
7. 7. Enjoy!: Serve immediately with the prepared peanut dipping sauce. For an extra touch, garnish the sauce or rolls with chopped roasted peanuts.