Vietnamese Banh Mi Sandwich with Pickled Vegetables

A classic Vietnamese sandwich featuring grilled pork or tofu, pickled vegetables, cilantro, and a spicy sriracha mayo. The key to a great Banh Mi is the crusty bread and the balance of sweet, sour, and spicy flavors.

Prep Time

30 minutes

Total Time

50 minutes

Calories

650 kcal

Difficulty

Medium

Equipment

3 items

Cost

£2.84/serving

Season:

🌸 Spring•☀️ Summer

Meal Type:

Lunch•Bread

Cuisine:

Main Ingredient:

Cooking Style:

Dietary:

Mood:

Ingredients

Servings

4smallBaguettes(Vietnamese-style preferred; if unavailable, use French baguettes)

£2.20

1lbPork Tenderloin or Extra-Firm Tofu(Cut into thin slices)

£5.00

2tbspFish Sauce (for pork marinade)(Omit for tofu and replace with soy sauce)

£0.30

1tbspSoy Sauce (for pork marinade or tofu marinade)(Increase to 2 tbsp for tofu marinade)

£0.10

1tbspBrown Sugar (for pork marinade or tofu marinade)(Add to marinade)

£0.05

2clovesGarlic, minced (for pork marinade or tofu marinade)(Add to marinade)

£0.15

0.5tspBlack Pepper (for pork marinade or tofu marinade)(Add to marinade)

£0.05

0.5cupRice Vinegar(For pickling)

£0.60

0.3cupSugar(For pickling)

£0.05

0.3cupWater(For pickling)

1largeCarrots, julienned(For pickling)

£0.30

0.5mediumDaikon Radish, julienned(For pickling)

£0.75

0.5cupMayonnaise(Use vegan mayo for dietary restriction)

£0.40

1tbspSriracha(Adjust to taste)

£0.25

1bunchCilantro, fresh(Chopped)

£0.90

1Jalapeño Peppers, thinly sliced (optional)(For extra spice)

£0.25

Total Cost

£11.35

£2.84 per serving

Instructions

1.
**Prepare the Pickled Vegetables:** In a small saucepan, combine rice vinegar, sugar, and water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
2.
Place julienned carrots and daikon radish in a jar or bowl. Pour the vinegar mixture over the vegetables, making sure they are submerged. Let sit for at least 30 minutes, or preferably longer, in the refrigerator. The longer they sit, the more flavorful they become.
3.
**Marinate the Pork or Tofu:** In a bowl, combine fish sauce (or soy sauce for tofu), soy sauce (omit or reduce for pork), brown sugar, minced garlic, and black pepper. Add the sliced pork or tofu and toss to coat. Let marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 1 hour, in the refrigerator.
4.
**Prepare the Sriracha Mayo:** In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise and sriracha. Adjust the amount of sriracha to your desired level of spice.
5.
**Grill the Pork or Tofu:** Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Grill the pork or tofu for 2-3 minutes per side, or until cooked through and slightly charred. Remove from grill and let rest for a few minutes.
6.
**Assemble the Banh Mi:** Slice the baguettes lengthwise, being careful not to cut all the way through. Spread sriracha mayo on both sides of the baguette.
7.
Layer the grilled pork or tofu onto the bottom half of each baguette. Top with pickled vegetables, fresh cilantro, and sliced jalapeño peppers (if using).
8.
Close the sandwiches and serve immediately.

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My Notes

Nutrition Information

Nutrition per serving (250g)

650 kcal / 2720 kJ

Carbs

65g

25% of RDA

Fat

30g

43% of RDA

Protein

35g

70% of RDA

Detailed Breakdown

Fibre

5 g

17% of RDA

Sugar

20 g

22% of RDA

Sodium

1200 mg

52% of RDA

Saturated Fat

6 g

30% of RDA

Chef's Tips

For a more intense pickled flavor, prepare the pickled vegetables a day in advance.

If you don't have a grill, you can pan-fry the pork or tofu in a skillet over medium-high heat.

Toasting the baguettes lightly before assembling can add a nice crunch.

Add other toppings like pâté or cucumber slices for a more authentic experience.

Press the tofu well before marinating to remove excess water. This helps it absorb the marinade better and become crispier when grilled.

Cooking Equipment

Grill or Grill Pan

Mixing Bowls

Small Saucepan

Wine Pairings

No wine pairing suggestions available for this recipe.

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Chef's Tips

For a more intense pickled flavor, prepare the pickled vegetables a day in advance.

If you don't have a grill, you can pan-fry the pork or tofu in a skillet over medium-high heat.

Toasting the baguettes lightly before assembling can add a nice crunch.

Add other toppings like pâté or cucumber slices for a more authentic experience.

Press the tofu well before marinating to remove excess water. This helps it absorb the marinade better and become crispier when grilled.

Vietnamese Banh Mi Sandwich with Pickled Vegetables

Ingredients

Instructions