Embark on a culinary journey to Vietnam right from your kitchen with these exquisite Vietnamese Spring Rolls featuring succulent slow cooker pork. This recipe isn’t just about incredible flavor; it’s also about creating a healthy, vibrant, and satisfying meal perfect for any occasion. These fresh spring rolls, bursting with crisp vegetables, aromatic herbs, and tender pork, are a fantastic way to enjoy a light yet fulfilling dish.
Beyond the delicious recipe, I’m thrilled to share the behind-the-scenes magic from a special video shoot in Seattle. Months of anticipation have led to this moment! Last June, while attending the BlogHer Food conference and even experiencing the unique sensation of tickling oysters, our team filmed a series of engaging cooking videos. This exciting project was a collaboration with the National Pork Board and Costco, shining a spotlight on versatile pork dishes alongside some of my talented blogger friends: Sandy & Paul from Reluctant Entertainer, Diana from Eating Richly, Jenny from Picky Palate, Jessica from The Novice Chef, Lauren from Lauren’s Latest, and Amanda from Kevin & Amanda.
An Unforgettable Blogger Event: From Limo Rides to Lights, Camera, Action!
To kick off what I hoped would be a truly memorable day for the entire group, we arranged for a luxurious, oversized stretch limo to pick us all up. It was more than just transportation; it was the start of an adventure.
The limo itself was an experience! Imagine sparkling disco lights, pumping music, and even lava lamps creating a vibrant, energetic atmosphere. The only thing missing was a stripper pole in the middle, which, thankfully, we didn’t actually need to get the party started among a group of enthusiastic food bloggers!
Behind the Scenes: Polishing Our On-Camera Presence
Before stepping in front of the cameras, each of us underwent a comprehensive preparation process. This included professional hair and makeup, meticulous food styling for our dishes, and essential video talent coaching. For some of the gals, it was their first time on camera, so receiving tips and guidance from an industry professional was invaluable. The coaching helped us all feel more confident and prepared to deliver our best performances.
So, what exactly does a video coach teach you? Well, it turns out, a lot about self-awareness, especially when it comes to speech patterns. One of the key takeaways was identifying and minimizing filler words.
You truly don’t grasp how frequently you use these common filler words – like “um,” “uh,” and “like” – until you watch yourself on tape. I personally discovered that I tend to rely on them when transitioning between sentences, particularly when I haven’t fully formulated my next thought. It’s a subtle habit that can easily distract from your message. The coach’s advice for me to address this? Simply: “Now.”
Honestly, the specifics of his explanation have faded a bit, but the core message about the power of “NOW” stuck with me – perhaps it was about being present, decisive, and starting each thought with purpose. It highlighted the importance of clear and concise communication, especially when delivering content on camera.
Next up, it was time for hair and makeup. This dedicated session is what it truly takes to make me (and all of us!) “camera-ready.” It’s amazing how a professional touch can enhance your confidence and appearance under the bright studio lights.
“HOLD STILL, JADEN!” – a friendly instruction from the lovely Diana, who was expecting a baby boy at the time! It was a day full of fun, laughter, and a bit of bustling energy.
With five different recipes being filmed and multiple bloggers involved, we had the expert assistance of a couple of food stylists. Their role was crucial in cooking, prepping, and beautifying each dish to perfection. Every plate was meticulously planned, from the color of the napkins to the choice of platter and the precise placement of each ingredient, ensuring everything looked absolutely appetizing on screen.
And then… ACTION! If you look closely at the image, you’ll spot an iPad, likely serving as a teleprompter or displaying crucial recipe notes to keep the flow smooth during filming.
The array of cameras and bright lights can be quite intimidating if you’re not accustomed to them. The set was bustling with activity, including three cameramen, a dedicated sound engineer, a lighting specialist, a producer, our skilled food stylists, various PR representatives, the team from the Pork Board, and of course, all of us bloggers. It was a full-scale production!
Between takes, the dedicated hair and makeup artists would discreetly step in, ensuring everyone looked fresh and flawless for the next shot. Their quick touch-ups were essential for maintaining continuity and a polished appearance throughout the long day of filming.
Put eight food bloggers in a room, turn on a video camera, and you’re absolutely guaranteed to capture some hilarious bloopers! Make sure to watch the blooper reel at the end of this post for a good laugh – it perfectly showcases the fun and spontaneity of our time together.
A huge thank you goes out to the Pork Board and Costco for making these wonderful videos possible! The dish I had the pleasure of preparing with pork was these fresh Vietnamese Spring Rolls, featuring deliciously tender Slow Cooker Pork. For this recipe, I opted for a Sirloin Tip Roast – an excellent choice because it’s a very lean yet incredibly flavorful cut of pork, perfect for both roasting and slow cooking. It’s also a budget-friendly option that can easily feed a large crowd. I hope you enjoy the recipe as much as we enjoyed creating it!
Mastering the Art of Rolling Vietnamese Spring Rolls
For a visual guide and detailed instructions on how to perfectly roll these delicate spring rolls, watch the video below. It simplifies the process and ensures you achieve beautifully wrapped rolls every time.
Vietnamese Spring Rolls with Slow Cooker Pork Recipe
These fresh spring rolls are a delightful and healthy meal, perfect for a light lunch, appetizer, or a vibrant dinner. The slow-cooked pork is infused with aromatic flavors, providing a tender and juicy filling that complements the crisp vegetables and fresh herbs. The key to truly authentic taste lies in the savory dipping sauce, typically a sweet chili sauce found in the Asian section of most supermarkets. Look for bright orange/red bottles; they offer a balanced sweet-and-mildly-spicy profile. Alternatively, you can use other sweet sauces like “Duck Sauce” or “Sweet Plum Sauce” for a similar effect.
Prep time: Approximately 10 minutes for the pork preparation plus 25 minutes for roll assembly.
Cook time: 3 hours 45 minutes (approximate for slow cooker).
Alternative cooking method: If you do not have a slow cooker, you can roast the pork in a conventional oven at 275°F (135°C) for about 4 hours, or until it reaches the desired internal temperature.
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Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 35 mins
- Cook Time: 3 hrs 45 mins
- Servings: 8 – 10
Ingredients
FOR THE ORANGE CORIANDER PORK:
- 2 lb boneless pork sirloin tip roast
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 onion, cut into thick slices
- 1 orange, cut into 1/4-inch-thick rounds (do not peel)
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1 cup canned chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce or soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh ginger
- 6 cloves garlic, smashed under a knife & peeled
FOR THE ROLL ASSEMBLY:
- 1 8oz package (8-inch-diameter) rice spring roll wrappers (approximately 22 wrappers)
- 2 cups matchstick cut carrots
- 1 cucumber, cut into matchsticks (English or Japanese cucumber preferred for less seeds)
- 1 medium red bell pepper, cut into matchsticks
- 2 cups packed baby spinach leaves
- Sprigs of fresh mint and basil leaves
- 1 cup prepared Sweet Chili Sauce (for dipping)
Instructions
FOR THE SLOW COOKER PORK:
- Season the pork roast generously with ground coriander, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring it’s evenly coated.
- Into the slow cooker, pour the orange juice, chicken broth, and fish sauce (or soy sauce). Add the smashed garlic cloves and finely chopped fresh ginger.
- Scatter half of the thick onion slices and orange rounds at the bottom of the slow cooker. Carefully place the seasoned pork roast on top. Arrange the remaining onion and orange slices over the pork.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on the “low” setting for approximately 3-4 hours, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the pork registers 160°F (71°C).
- Once cooked, transfer the tender pork to a carving board. Allow it to rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing. This resting period is crucial for the juices to redistribute, ensuring the pork remains moist and flavorful.
FOR THE ASSEMBLY:
- Slice the rested pork across the grain into very thin pieces. Divide the sliced pork into roughly 22 equal portions, anticipating one portion per spring roll.
- Prepare a wide, shallow bowl with warm water, half-filling it. For each spring roll, dip one rice paper wrapper into the warm water for about 5 seconds. The wrapper should be pliable but still slightly firm; it will continue to soften as you fill it.
- Gently shake off any excess water from the softened wrapper and place it on a clean, dry surface (a cutting board or large plate works well).
- Fold the rice paper wrapper in half to create a half-moon shape. At the bottom edge of the folded wrapper, place one portion of the sliced pork.
- Layer your desired fillings on top of the pork: a handful of matchstick-cut carrots, cucumber, red bell pepper, a few baby spinach leaves, and a few sprigs of fresh mint and basil leaves.
- To roll, start by folding the bottom edge of the wrapper up over the filling, tucking it in tightly. Then, fold in both sides of the wrapper towards the center. Finally, roll the entire assembly tightly from the bottom upwards to create a neat, cylindrical spring roll.
- Place the finished roll on a serving platter. Cover the rolls with a barely damp towel to prevent them from drying out and to keep them moist until serving.
- These fresh spring rolls can be prepared and refrigerated up to 2 hours in advance. Serve them chilled, accompanied by the Sweet Chili Sauce for dipping.
Did you try this recipe? We’d love to hear from you! Let us know how it turned out and share your thoughts!
Our Blooper Reel!
And now, for a glimpse into the lighter side of our video shoot – prepare for some laughs with our blooper reel!