Shrimp and Vermicelli Fresh Rice Paper Rolls with Nuoc Cham
Light and refreshing rice paper rolls filled with shrimp, vermicelli noodles, and fresh herbs, served with a classic Vietnamese dipping sauce. This vietnamese ready in about 40 minutes pairs medium shrimp, peeled and deveined, rice vermicelli noodles, sheets rice paper wrappers for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 oz rice vermicelli noodles
- 12 sheets rice paper wrappers
- 12 leaves lettuce leaves
- 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
- 1 medium, julienned carrots
- 1 small, julienned cucumber
- 6 cups water
- 1/4 cup fish sauce
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1, minced garlic clove
- 1 small, thinly sliced (optional) red chili
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring 6 cups water to a boil. Add 12 medium shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes until pink and opaque. Remove and set aside to cool.
- Step 2: In the same boiling water, soak 4 oz rice vermicelli noodles for 3-4 minutes until soft. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- Step 3: Mix 1/4 cup fish sauce, 3 tbsp fresh lime juice, 2 tbsp sugar, 1 minced garlic clove, and sliced red chili (optional) in a small bowl to make nuoc cham dipping sauce. Stir until sugar dissolves.
- Step 4: Dip one rice paper wrapper in warm water for 5 seconds until soft and place on a clean surface. Layer 1 lettuce leaf, a small handful of vermicelli noodles, 2 shrimp halved lengthwise, 1 tbsp julienned carrot, 1 tbsp julienned cucumber, and a few mint and cilantro leaves near the bottom third of the wrapper.
- Step 5: Fold the bottom edge over the filling, fold in the sides, and roll tightly to seal. Repeat with remaining wrappers and ingredients.
- Step 6: Serve rolls chilled with nuoc cham sauce for dipping, perfect as a light appetizer or snack.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Shrimp and Vermicelli Fresh Rice Paper Rolls with Nuoc Cham take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (30 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Shrimp and Vermicelli Fresh Rice Paper Rolls with Nuoc Cham?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep rice vermicelli noodles from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Shrimp and Vermicelli Fresh Rice Paper Rolls with Nuoc Cham?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Shrimp and Vermicelli Fresh Rice Paper Rolls with Nuoc Cham for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Shrimp and Vermicelli Fresh Rice Paper Rolls with Nuoc Cham?
Vietnamese vietnamese like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
