Homemade Boston Rolls Recipe: Soft & Buttery Dinner Magic

Crispy, delicate boston rolls dance between traditional Japanese cuisine and modern culinary creativity.

Seafood enthusiasts will adore this delightful appetizer that combines fresh ingredients with elegant preparation techniques.

Rice paper wraps embrace tender shrimp and crunchy vegetables with remarkable grace.

Silky cream cheese adds unexpected richness to each carefully constructed bite.

Lightweight yet satisfying, these rolls offer a perfect balance of textures and flavors.

Delicate herbs and zesty dipping sauces complement the subtle marine essence of the dish.

Come experience a restaurant-quality appetizer you can effortlessly craft in your own kitchen.

What Makes Boston Rolls So Tempting

• Savor Fresh Flavors: Packed with crisp vegetables, tender shrimp, and aromatic herbs, these rolls burst with vibrant, clean taste sensations.
• Master Quick Assembly: Simple step-by-step rolling technique allows anyone to create restaurant-quality Vietnamese-inspired rolls without advanced cooking skills.
• Customize with Ease: Flexible recipe welcomes personal ingredient swaps like replacing shrimp with tofu or adding different herbs to match individual preferences.
• Perfect Party Pleaser: Ideal for summer gatherings, picnics, and light meal occasions where guests can enjoy interactive, fresh dining experience.

What You Need for Flavorful Boston Rolls

• Lettuce: Crisp base layer that adds texture and freshness to the rolls.
• Cucumber: Provides a cool and light crunch to the filling.
• Mint Leaves, Cilantro Leaves: Fresh herbs that enhance the flavor profile with bright, aromatic notes.

• Shrimp: Cooked protein that serves as the main filling for the rolls.

• Rice Vermicelli Noodles: Soft, thin noodles that add substance and traditional texture.
• Rice Paper Wrappers: Translucent wrappers that hold all ingredients together.

• Hoisin Sauce, Peanut Butter, Soy Sauce, Rice Vinegar, Sesame Oil, Sriracha: Combination of condiments that create a rich, tangy, and slightly spicy dipping sauce.

• Roasted Peanuts: Crunchy topping that adds nutty flavor and textural contrast.

Build Your Boston Rolls Like a Sushi Chef

Step 1: Soften Rice Vermicelli Noodles

Submerge the rice vermicelli noodles in steaming hot water. Let them relax and become tender for 5-7 minutes. Once soft, drain completely and set aside.

Step 2: Prepare Rolling Workspace

Cover a clean surface with a slightly damp kitchen towel or cutting board. This will help prevent rice paper from sticking and make rolling easier.

Step 3: Warm Water Rice Paper Technique

Fill a wide, shallow dish with warm water. This will help transform the stiff rice paper into a flexible wrapper.

Step 4: Activate Rice Paper

Quickly dip a rice paper wrapper into the warm water for just a few seconds. Gently transfer the softened wrapper onto your prepared workspace.

Step 5: Create Lettuce Base

Spread a layer of shredded lettuce in the center of the wrapper. Leave enough room on the sides for smooth rolling.

Step 6: Add Delicious Fillings

• Cooked shrimp
• Softened rice vermicelli noodles
• Thinly sliced cucumber
• Fresh mint leaves
• Cilantro sprigs

Step 7: Master the Rolling Technique

Fold the bottom edge of the wrapper over the fillings. Tuck in the sides firmly. Roll upward towards the top edge, creating a tight, compact roll.

Step 8: Complete Remaining Rolls

Repeat the rolling process until you’ve used all your ingredients. Aim to create beautiful, uniform rolls.

Step 9: Craft Irresistible Dipping Sauce

• Hoisin sauce
• Creamy peanut butter
• Soy sauce
• Rice vinegar
• Sesame oil
• Sriracha sauce

Blend until the mixture becomes smooth and well-combined.

Step 10: Serve and Garnish

Sprinkle chopped roasted peanuts over the rolls. Serve immediately alongside the zesty dipping sauce for maximum flavor enjoyment.

Tips for Rolling and Filling Boston Rolls

• Perfect Rice Paper Handling: Soak rice paper briefly in warm water to prevent tearing and ensure optimal texture.
• Maximize Freshness: Prepare ingredients ahead of time and keep them chilled to maintain crisp vegetables and shrimp quality.
• Roll with Confidence: Use light pressure when rolling to prevent wrapper breakage and create neat, tight spring rolls.
• Sauce Balancing Act: Adjust dipping sauce ingredients to taste, adding more sriracha for heat or honey for sweetness.
• Quick Serving Strategy: Serve rolls immediately after preparation to preserve wrapper's delicate texture and prevent sogginess.

Unique Twists on the Classic Boston Roll

• Vegetarian Rolls: Replace shrimp with tofu, tempeh, or roasted vegetables like bell peppers and carrots for a plant-based option.
• Spicy Southwest Rolls: Add jalapeños, black beans, and swap cilantro for fresh lime juice and chili powder to create a zesty Mexican-inspired version.
• Thai-Inspired Rolls: Include mango slices, swap mint for Thai basil, and create a peanut-lime dressing with ginger and lemongrass for an authentic Southeast Asian flavor profile.
• Smoked Salmon Rolls: Substitute shrimp with thin slices of smoked salmon, add cream cheese, and include dill for an elegant seafood variation.

Delicious Pairings for Boston Roll Fans

• Refresh with Crisp White Wine: Pair these light, fresh Boston rolls with a chilled Sauvignon Blanc, highlighting the herb and seafood notes while cutting through the richness of the peanut sauce.
• Complement with Vietnamese Iced Tea: Balance the rolls' delicate flavors with a sweet and strong Vietnamese iced tea, creating a refreshing counterpoint to the savory shrimp and aromatic herbs.
• Elevate with Citrus Mocktail: Create a zesty non-alcoholic drink mixing lime juice, sparkling water, and a touch of mint to echo the rolls' fresh ingredients and provide a bright, cleansing palate experience.

Store Your Boston Rolls Like a Pro

• Store Boston rolls wrapped individually in plastic wrap or in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Keep refrigerated to maintain freshness and prevent rice paper from drying out.
• Place parchment paper between rolls to prevent sticking and preserve their delicate texture when storing in the container.
• Keep dipping sauce in a sealed jar or container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Stir well before serving as ingredients may separate during storage.
• Do not freeze these rolls, as rice paper becomes soggy and loses its delicate texture when thawed. Fresh preparation works best for optimal taste and quality.

Everything You’ve Wondered About Boston Rolls

• What are Boston Rolls?

A Vietnamese-inspired fresh spring roll filled with shrimp, rice noodles, herbs, and vegetables wrapped in a delicate rice paper wrapper.

• Do I need special skills to make Boston Rolls?

No, these rolls are beginner-friendly and require basic kitchen skills like chopping, rolling, and mixing ingredients.

• Can I make Boston Rolls ahead of time?

Best to prepare just before serving to keep rice paper wrappers soft and prevent them from getting soggy.

• Are Boston Rolls healthy?

Yes, they’re packed with protein from shrimp, fresh vegetables, herbs, and are typically lower in calories compared to fried spring rolls.

Boston Rolls Recipe

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4.8 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Delightful Boston rolls bring Japanese-inspired sushi magic to your kitchen with silky salmon and creamy avocado nestled in perfectly seasoned rice. Rich flavors and elegant presentation make these rolls an irresistible culinary adventure you’ll want to master and share with friends.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 4 sheets rice paper wrappers
• 8 oz cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 oz rice vermicelli noodles

Vegetables and Herbs:

• 1 cup lettuce, shredded
• 1/2 cup cucumber, julienned
• 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves

Dipping Sauce and Seasonings:

• 3 tbsp hoisin sauce
• 2 tbsp peanut butter
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp sriracha sauce
• 1/4 cup chopped roasted peanuts (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Soak rice vermicelli noodles in hot water for 5-7 minutes until soft and pliable, then drain and set aside.
2. Prepare a clean, damp kitchen towel or cutting board as a workspace for rolling the rice paper wrappers.
3. Fill a large, shallow dish with warm water to soften the rice paper wrappers.
4. Dip one rice paper wrapper into the warm water for 3-4 seconds, then carefully transfer to the prepared surface.
5. Layer shredded lettuce in the center of the softened wrapper, leaving about 2 inches of space on each side.
6. Arrange cooked shrimp, rice vermicelli noodles, cucumber, mint, and cilantro leaves on top of the lettuce.
7. Fold the bottom edge of the wrapper over the filling, then fold in the sides and roll tightly towards the top edge.
8. Repeat the process with remaining wrappers and ingredients to create 4 rolls.
9. For the dipping sauce, whisk together hoisin sauce, peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and sriracha in a small bowl until smooth.
10. Garnish the rolls with chopped roasted peanuts and serve immediately with the prepared dipping sauce.

Notes

• Keep rice paper wrappers hydrated by working quickly and keeping them moist to prevent cracking during rolling.
• Use room temperature ingredients to ensure easy rolling and prevent tearing of delicate rice paper.
• Pat shrimp and vegetables dry before assembling to prevent soggy rolls and maintain crisp texture.
• Experiment with protein variations like tofu, chicken, or crab for diverse dietary preferences and flavor profiles.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Rolling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 14 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg