Shrimp Summer Rolls – The Cookie Rookie®

These shrimp summer rolls are the perfect appetizer for any season! Rice paper is packed full of zesty shrimp, bright vegetables, and a spicy sauce. Healthy, flavorful, and easy to make, Vietnamese shrimp rolls are a must make!

close up of shrimp summer rolls in a rectangular tray.

Vietnamese Shrimp Rolls

These shrimp summer rolls (or what you might think of as Spring rolls) are about to be your go-to appetizer for dinner parties, summer days, and happy hour alike. They’re so simple to make, but they are so flavorful and look just beautiful!

Zesty lime-infused shrimp is cooked up in a skillet, then wrapped up with crisp, fresh veggies (like cucumbers, carrots, greens, and more), and paired with a flavorful sauce. The dipping sauce adds a touch of heat and acidity that takes these appetizers to the next level.

Why You’ll Love this Shrimp Summer Roll Recipe:

REFRESHINGLY HEALTHY: These shrimp summer rolls are light, crisp, and full of healthy ingredients like cucumber, butter lettuce, and parsley.
ANY TIME RECIPE: These summer rolls make a great light meal or appetizer. If you’re looking for something more substantial, you could serve them with a side of rice or noodles.
EASY: This recipe is pretty straightforward and easy to follow. Just cook the shrimp briefly, and the rest is easy peasy.

Don’t delay on making this Vietnamese shrimp spring roll recipe. No need to go out when you can make these right at home.

hand holding 1 shrimp summer roll in front of a white rectangular tray.

4 shrimp summer rolls in a white rectangular tray.

How to Make Shrimp Summer Rolls

Be sure to see the recipe card below for full ingredients & instructions!

Marinade: Whip up the lime marinade, and marinate shrimp in the fridge. Prep veggies.
Shrimp: Cook just a few minutes in a skillet, then let them cool.
Assemble: Dip rice paper in hot water, add shrimp & veggies, then roll up like a burrito.
Dipping Sauce: Simply combine ingredients in a bowl, and serve alongside the rolls.

Shrimp Summer Roll Recipe Notes

Shrimp: Make sure to use the best quality shrimp you can find. Try to find medium-small shrimp so they fit into the rice paper.
Olive Oil: Used while sautéing shrimp so they become crisp around the edges.
Lime Juice and Zest: Lime adds so much flavor to the shrimp. Make sure to juice your lime before you zest it!
Salt: Kosher salt is highly recommended.
Rice Paper: Rice paper wrappers are available in the international aisle of most grocery stores.
Butter Lettuce: Softer and sweeter than regular romaine so it wraps better in the thin rice paper. If you can’t find butter lettuce, baby greens or spring mix will work too.
Veggies: I’m using carrots, cucumber, avocado, and green onion as my fillings, but you can use anything you like. Radish, mango, and rice noodles are also common additions to spring rolls. Feel free to mix and match to create your perfect roll!
Fresh Herbs: Adds a bright earthiness to the rolls. Thai basil is my favorite but it can be difficult to find, so parsley and mint can be used as well.
Ponzu Sauce: This a citrus soy sauce that is available in the international aisle of most grocery stores. It adds a sweeter, more subtle flavor than normal soy sauce.
Sweet Chili Sauce: Adds a touch of sweetness and heat to the sauce–it’s delicious with shrimp!
Sesame Oil: Optional, but it adds a rich nuttiness to the sauce! I highly recommend using toasted sesame oil rather than plain.
Sesame Seeds: Adds a bit of crunch and additional sesame flavor to the sauce. Again, this is optional but delicious!

step by step photos for how to make shrimp summer rolls.

What’s the difference between a summer roll and a spring roll?

A summer roll is a combination of cooked meat and raw vegetables in a translucent rice paper wrapper. They are usually not cooked in any way and are served cold. Spring rolls, by contrast, consist of a combination of meat and veggies wrapped in a flour-based dough, deep-fried, and served hot. (Although the term spring rolls is often used interchangeably.)

Can I make summer shrimp rolls ahead of time?

I do not recommend making these in advance because the rice paper can quickly dry out and the rolls can also stick together. However, you can cook the shrimp and cut the veggies ahead of time, so they’re ready to assemble.

Are Vietnamese shrimp rolls gluten-free?

The rolls themselves are naturally gluten-free, but the dipping sauce is not. Ponzu sauce contains soy sauce, which is not gluten-free. To make these rolls gluten-free, swap the ponzu sauce for gluten-free ponzu sauce, coconut aminos, or tamari.

Can I fry summer shrimp rolls?

No, do not fry these summer shrimp rolls. These are meant to be enjoyed cold, and the rice wrappers are not suitable for frying.

Serving Suggestions

Don’t forget the sauce: Serve with a dipping sauce such as sweet chili sauce, hoisin sauce, or peanut sauce.
Side of rice or noodles: The best way to serve these spring rolls is with a side of rice or noodles.
Don’t forget dinner: These shrimp rolls make a great starter/side for Teriyaki Tofu, Chicken Fried Rice, and Honey Garlic Chicken.

hand grabbing 1 of 4 shrimp summer rolls from a white rectangular tray.

Make Ahead Instructions

Although I do not recommend making the fully-assembled rolls ahead of time, you can make the components ahead of time and do the assembly just before serving. To make these summer rolls ahead of time, marinate and cook the shrimp, then refrigerate until ready to use. Chop the vegetables ahead of time and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you’re ready to assemble.

Storage Instructions

For best results, individually wrap each summer roll in plastic wrap, then refrigerate for up to 2 days. I do not recommend freezing summer rolls.

Summer Roll Variations

Thai Summer Rolls: Switch up the sauce for spicy Thai peanut sauce
Crab Rolls: Swap the shrimp for crab and add thinly sliced avocado
Spicy Salmon Rolls: Substitute salmon for the shrimp and add a dash of sriracha to the filling
Veggie Rolls: Swap the shrimp for more veggies, like bell peppers and mushrooms
BLT Rolls: Fill the rice wrappers with romaine lettuce, slices of cooked bacon, and diced fresh tomato. Serve with homemade ranch
Strawberry Balsamic: Add sliced strawberries, baby spinach, feta cheese, and chopped pecans to the rice wrappers. Serve with balsamic dressing

hand dipping 1 shrimp summer roll into dipping sauce in a white ramekin.

Shrimp Summer Rolls are a delicious and healthy appetizer that can be enjoyed by everyone. Nothing beats flavorful shrimp combined with crisp veggies. And despite the name, they’re not just for summer, so make them any time you want!

If you make this recipe be sure to upload a photo in the comment section below or leave a rating. Enjoy!