Gỏi Cuốn Recipe

No discussion of the best Vietnamese cuisine is complete without mentioning gỏi cuốn (fresh spring rolls). These bite-sized delights are a wonderful mix of non-packaged meat, gluten-free starch, and fresh, fiber-rich herbs. Each roll is full of all the necessary nutrients for your body.

In terms of flavors, this Vietnamese specialty is simply more delicious than you can ever imagine. With the mild rice noodles as a blank canvas for flair, the umami-packed meat enriched with the refreshing aroma of herbs is totally capable of making your heart skip a beat.

Did I mention that these rolls are elegant and portable, perfect for lunch boxes? With just a few minutes, you will be able to experience everything that this finger food has to offer!

The Essence of Vietnam in Gỏi Cuốn

Ask anyone about their favorite Vietnamese dishes, and many of them will probably mention fresh spring rolls. Actually, a more faithful translation of its native name (“gỏi cuốn”) should be “salad rolls”, which emphasizes the importance of fresh vegetables in this recipe.

Remember that freshness is the keyword. There is another type of spring roll in Vietnamese cuisine called “chả giò” or “nem rán”. It is a deep-fried dish made from rice paper, ground meat, diced vegetables, and mushrooms. This one can go with or without a sauce.

By contrast, the recipe I’m about to show you consists of boiled pork side and/ or shrimp, rice noodles, and fresh herbs wrapped around with rice paper. In addition, it requires a good dipping sauce to bring out the best flavor.

Equip Yourself with These Tools for Gỏi Cuốn

This recipe requires minimal tools, most of which you likely already have in your kitchen. Here is a concise overview:

Ingredient List for Crafting Gỏi Cuốn

You may have to make a trip to an Asian food store to gather all the necessary ingredients, especially the vegetables. But it is acceptable to be creative and use what you have at hand.

Step-by-Step to Make Gỏi Cuốn with Ease

It’s showtime! Follow the four steps below for an ultimate healthy, gluten-free recipe that you can share with the whole family.

Step 1: Prepare The Ingredients

Rinse the vegetables and let them drain.

Clean the pork side with water several times. You can rub it with some salt to eliminate the odor. Pat dry the meat with a clean towel.

Then, parboil it along with some salt for 3 – 5 minutes. Get the meat out and wash it with water once more to make it completely clean.

Next, boil the meat along with scallions, ginger slices, and salt (for added flavors) on medium-high heat for 20 – 30 minutes. When it is cooked through, plate it and let it cool.

Remove the heads from the shrimp and devein them with a toothpick, but keep the shells on the shrimp to prevent the flesh inside from drying out during cooking. Wash the shrimp and immediately boil them in the steamer for 5 – 10 minutes.

Step 2: Prepare the Filling

Cut the pork side into thin slices. Next, halve each shrimp along its length. For the cucumbers, cut them into long slices.

Step 3: Get the Spring Rolls Ready

Lay rice paper flat on a clean chopping board and arrange all the ingredients neatly on it. Follow this order: the herbs and vegetables, rice noodles, pork side, and shrimp.

Fold the sides of the wrapper over the ingredients and roll everything up. Add a few garlic chives to the filling before sealing the spring roll. You can rub the wrapper with some water so that the spring roll can keep its form better.

Repeat the process with the remaining rice paper and ingredients.

Step 4: Make the Dipping Sauce

In a skillet, roast 3 teaspoons peanuts of peanuts on medium-high heat for 5 minutes until brown. Pound them and mix with:

Helpful Hints for Making Vietnamese Spring Rolls

Check out this section to learn how to make, serve, and store Vietnamese fresh spring rolls more easily.

Time to Roll Up Your Sleeves for Gỏi Cuốn

Vietnamese fresh spring rolls can play many roles: as a snack, an appetizer, or a main course item for any meal of the day. Despite their impressive nutrition profile, they are quite light and won’t leave your stomach feeling heavy afterward.

When your children (or your inner child) have trouble incorporating fresh vegetables into their meals, this recipe can provide you with a great way out. And if you want to impress your friends at the next potluck party or intimate get-together, it can work like a charm as well.

Share this article if you find it helpful and informative. Should you have any questions to ask or experience to share, be my guest. The comment section is always open to you.