Spicy Tofu & Herb Spring Rolls with Nuoc Cham
Crispy rice paper rolls filled with marinated tofu, fresh herbs, and crunchy vegetables, served with a tangy-sweet dipping sauce. This vietnamese-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 33 minutes pairs firm tofu, sheets rice paper wrappers, carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 200g firm tofu
- 12 sheets rice paper wrappers
- 100g carrots
- 100g cucumber
- 1/4 cup fresh mint
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper
- 3 tbsp fish sauce
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Press tofu for 10 minutes to remove excess water, then cut into 1/4-inch slices. Marinate in 1 tbsp fish sauce and 1 minced garlic clove for 15 minutes.
- Step 2: Thinly slice carrots and cucumber into matchsticks. Finely chop bell pepper. Wash and pat dry mint and cilantro.
- Step 3: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add tofu and cook for 3 minutes per side until golden, then set aside.
- Step 4: Prepare nuoc cham: whisk 3 tbsp fish sauce, 2 tbsp lime juice, 1 tbsp sugar, and 1 minced garlic clove until sugar dissolves.
- Step 5: Soak rice paper wrappers in warm water for 15 seconds until pliable. Place on a clean surface, layer with 2 mint leaves, 2 cilantro leaves, carrot, cucumber, bell pepper, and tofu. Fold sides inward, roll tightly, and secure with a toothpick.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Tofu & Herb Spring Rolls with Nuoc Cham take to make?
Total time is about 33 minutes (25 min prep + 8 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 Spicy Tofu & Herb Spring 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 firm tofu from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Tofu & Herb Spring 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 Spicy Tofu & Herb Spring Rolls with Nuoc Cham for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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.
Is Spicy Tofu & Herb Spring Rolls with Nuoc Cham vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★★★
Made this for my family and everyone asked for the recipe.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.