This Easy Banh Mi Sandwich is the perfect combination of savory, sweet, and spicy flavors! With crusty bread, tender pork, and pickled veggies, this popular Vietnamese street food has taken the world by storm!
What Is A Banh Mi Sandwich
Originating from the bustling streets of Vietnam, the banh mi sandwich is a blend of French and Vietnamese culinary traditions. The recipe starts with a toasted crispy French baguette, and then fills it with a generous slather of mayo, tender marinated pork, and tangy pickled veggies, to create a sandwich bursting with layers of taste and texture.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Banh Mi Sandwich
- Classic Flavor! With the savory marinated pork, crisp veggies, spicy jalapenos, and crusty bread, each bite of this sandwich offers an array of textures and an authentic taste of Vietnam.
- Easy To Make! In just 30 minutes, you can have a gourmet sandwich ready to eat. Plus, there’s no need for a special trip to a fancy store! You can find everything you need in a local supermarket.
- Crowd Pleaser! This easy banh mi sandwich is a great way to impress guests with something different. You can serve it at a casual lunch, picnic, or even as an appetizer at special events.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Sandwich
- Pork Tenderloin: This lean and tender meat is the star of this easy banh mi sandwich. For a different twist, you can substitute it with chicken, beef, or tofu for a vegetarian option.
- Soy Sauce: Used in the marinade, the soy sauce adds umami and depth.
- Fish Sauce: Brings a distinct savory flavor that seasons the pork.
- Hoisin Sauce: This thick Asian BBQ sauce adds sweetness and richness.
- Sriracha: Adds the perfect touch of heat.
- Vegetable Oil: Used for cooking the pork.
- Cucumber: Adds a fresh, crisp texture and complements the pickled veggies.
- Fresh Cilantro: Provides a fresh herby finish.
- Baguette Rolls: The foundation of the sandwich, a good crusty baguette is key.
- Mayonnaise: It balances the sandwich with its creamy texture and rich flavor. You can use store-bought or make your own homemade mayonnaise.
Pickled Veggies
- Warm Water: Used to dissolve the sugar and salt for the pickling liquid.
- Sugar: It offsets the acidity of the vinegar and salt, giving the pickled vegetables a pleasant sweet-and-sour taste.
- Salt: Helps to draw out moisture from the vegetables, intensifying their flavors and preserving their crunch.
- Rice Vinegar: Imparts a subtle acidity to the pickled vegetables, enhancing their flavor without overpowering them.
- Carrot: Adds sweetness and a pleasant crunch.
- Jalapeños: Introduce a touch of heat. When pickled, jalapenos add both spice and a bright acidity to the sandwich.
How To Make This Easy Banh Mi Sandwich
The beauty of this recipe lies in its combination of simple steps and complex flavors. The result is a sandwich that’s not only easy to make but also incredibly tasty!
Marinate The Pork
Start by combining the thinly sliced pork tenderloin with the soy sauce, fish sauce, Hoisin sauce, and Sriracha in a large bowl. Then let the pork marinate for at least 15 minutes to absorb the flavors fully.
Pickle The Vegetables
Next, dissolve the sugar and salt in the warm water in a separate bowl. Then add the rice vinegar followed by the julienned carrots and sliced jalapenos. Now, let them sit for at least 15 minutes to pickle. Then drain the water and set the veggies aside.
Cook The Pork
Heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat in a skillet. Then add the marinated pork slices and cook them for about 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until browned and cooked through. The goal is to achieve a slight char.
Toast The Baguettes
First, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Then slice the baguettes in half and split each one lengthwise, ensuring they remain attached. Next, place the sliced baguettes on a baking sheet and toast them in the oven for about 3 to 5 minutes or until the edges are crispy and golden.
Assemble The Sandwiches
Begin by spreading a generous amount of mayonnaise on the inside of each baguette. Then lay the cooked slices of pork on the bottom halves and top them with the pickled veggies, cucumber slices, and fresh cilantro.
Now, add another drizzle of sriracha if desired and serve the banh mi sandwiches immediately with some chips or a side of Asian style slaw.
Frequently Asked Questions
“Banh Mi” literally translates to “bread” in Vietnamese, but it commonly refers to a type of Vietnamese sandwich. This sandwich typically consists of a baguette filled with a variety of ingredients, including meats, pickled vegetables, fresh cilantro, and spicy condiments. It’s a delicious fusion of Vietnamese flavors with French colonial influences.
It’s typically crafted with a baguette and filled with a variety of ingredients. Common fillings include seasoned pork, pate, Vietnamese ham, pickled vegetables, cilantro, and fresh chili.
The term “baguette” generally refers to the long, thin French bread with a crispy crust and soft, airy interior. “Banh mi,” while also referring to a type of baguette, is more commonly known as the Vietnamese sandwich.
Expert Tips
- Marinate longer if possible. Allow the pork and veggies to marinate for as long as possible, preferably overnight. This enhances the flavor of the entire dish.
- Adjust the heat. Feel free to omit or add even more of the sriracha or chili sauce according to your personal taste.
- Cook in batches. Don’t overcrowd the pan when searing the pork. If necessary, cook it in batches to ensure proper browning and cooking.
- Customize the sandwiches. You can easily add additional toppings like green onions, avocado, pickled daikon radish, and different herbs like mint and basil to create different flavors.
Storage
Enjoy banh mi sandwiches freshly assembled for the best taste and texture. However, if you need to store them, you can wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate them for up to one day.
For longer storage, separate the components. You can refrigerate the pickled vegetables in an airtight container for up to a week, and store the cooked pork in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days. Just remember to reheat the pork before assembling your sandwiches. And keep in mind that it’s best to eat the baguettes fresh, as they tend to harden when refrigerated.
Discover More Delicious Asian Recipes
- Asian Garlic Shrimp
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- Garlic Soy Chicken
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Craving More? Follow Along:
Easy Banh Mi Sandwich
Ingredients
- 1 pound pork tenderloin thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon Hoisin sauce
- 2 teaspoons Sriracha or other hcili sauce
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 medium cucumber thinly sliced
- fresh cilantro roughly chopped
- 4 baguette rolls a foot long each
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
For The Pickled Carrots and Jalapenos
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 medium carrot julienned
- 2 small jalapenos thinly sliced
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine the pork slices with soy sauce, fish sauce, hoisin, and Sriracha. Allow it to marinate for at least 15 minutes.
- In another bowl, dissolve sugar and salt in warm water. Add rice vinegar. Add the julienned carrots and jalapenos, ensuring they are submerged. Let them pickle for at least 15 minutes. After pickling, drain the water and set the carrots aside.
- In a skillet or frying pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the marinated pork slices and cook until they are browned, almost charred and fully cooked through, approximately 3-4 minutes per side.
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Slice the baguettes in half, and then split each lengthwise without cutting all the way through, so it opens like a book. Place the baguette pieces on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for about 3-5 minutes, or until the edges are golden and crisp. Remove from the oven and set aside.
- Spread a generous amount of mayonnaise on each toasted baguette. Layer the cooked pork slices onto the bottom half of each baguette. Top with pickled carrots and jalapeños, cucumber slices, and cilantro. Add an extra drizzle of Sriracha or chili sauce if desired. Close the sandwiches with the top half of the baguettes.
- Serve immediately with a side of chips or a fresh salad.
Tips & Notes:
- Marinating Time: For best flavor, let the pork marinate for at least 15 minutes. If you have time, marinating for an hour or more enhances the taste even further.
- Adjusting Spiciness: Tailor the heat level to your liking. Use less Sriracha or chili sauce for a milder sandwich, or add more for an extra kick.
- Bread Selection: A traditional Banh Mi is made with a Vietnamese baguette, which is lighter and airier than French baguettes. However, any crusty baguette will work well for this recipe.
- Pickling the Vegetables: Don’t skip the pickling step for the carrots and jalapeños. It adds a crucial tangy crunch to the sandwich. You can pickle these ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator.
- Customize Your Fillings: Feel free to add or substitute fillings based on your preference. Common additions include daikon radish, bell peppers, or different herbs like mint or basil.