Rice Paper Roll Bowl (Print Version)

Fresh Vietnamese-inspired bowl with rice paper, crisp vegetables, and creamy peanut sauce.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Rice Paper & Base

01 - 8 sheets rice paper
02 - 2 cups cooked jasmine rice or vermicelli noodles, optional

→ Protein

03 - 14 oz grilled chicken breast, sliced, or 14 oz firm tofu pressed and cubed, or 14 oz cooked shrimp peeled and deveined

→ Vegetables

04 - 1 large carrot, julienned
05 - 1 cucumber, deseeded and julienned
06 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
07 - 1 cup shredded red cabbage
08 - 2 cups mixed salad greens
09 - 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
10 - 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves

→ Peanut Sauce

11 - 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
12 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free
13 - 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
14 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
15 - 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
16 - 1 to 2 teaspoons sriracha, optional
17 - 2 to 4 tablespoons warm water

→ Toppings

18 - 1/4 cup roasted peanuts, chopped
19 - 2 tablespoons fried shallots, optional
20 - Lime wedges for serving

# Step-by-Step:

01 - Fill a large shallow dish with warm water. Submerge each rice paper sheet for 5 to 10 seconds until softened, then place on a clean towel. Stack 2 to 3 sheets at a time and cut into rough strips or squares. Set aside.
02 - Grill, pan-fry, or bake your chosen protein until cooked through. Slice or cube as appropriate for the selected protein.
03 - Wash, peel, and slice all vegetables according to specifications: julienne carrots and cucumber, slice bell pepper thinly, shred cabbage, and leave salad greens whole.
04 - In a medium bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice, and sriracha. Gradually add warm water until the sauce achieves a smooth, pourable consistency.
05 - Divide the cooked rice or noodles among four serving bowls. Layer rice paper pieces, vegetables, salad greens, fresh herbs, and selected protein on top of each base.
06 - Drizzle peanut sauce generously over each bowl. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts and fried shallots. Serve with lime wedges on the side.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 30 minutes, which means you can have a restaurant-quality lunch without the takeout guilt.
  • Everything can be prepped ahead and assembled fresh, making it perfect for meal prep chaos or unexpected guests.
  • The peanut sauce is creamy and rich but the whole bowl stays light, so you won't feel sluggish afterward.
02 -
  • Rice paper hydrates in seconds, not minutes, so pull it out of the water before you think it's ready or you'll end up with gluey mush instead of tender sheets.
  • The peanut sauce needs to be whisked constantly while you add water, because peanut butter can seize up if you're not patient and deliberate about it.
03 -
  • Keep the rice paper damp but not soaking, and assemble the bowl right before eating so the shards stay crispy instead of getting soggy.
  • A squeeze of fresh lime over everything at the end elevates the whole bowl and adds brightness that makes your taste buds wake up.
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