Bánh Mì Thịt Nướng (Vietnamese Grilled Pork Sandwich)
Local name: Bánh mì thịt nướng
In short: A crisp baguette filled with lemongrass grilled pork, mayonnaise, pickled carrot and daikon, cucumber, cilantro and fresh chili. It takes about 45 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Resting
- 1 h
- Total
- 45 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 630 kcal
Bánh mì is Vietnam's baguette sandwich, sold from carts and counters from early morning. The bread is light, with a thin crackling crust, and it holds a little of everything: sweet-salty grilled pork, a smear of mayonnaise, crisp pickled carrot and daikon, cucumber, cilantro and fresh chili. Each bite mixes rich, sharp, cool and hot. This version uses lemongrass pork you can grill or sear indoors, with quick pickles made while the meat marinates.
Instructions
- Stir the sugar and salt into the warm water and vinegar until dissolved. Add the carrot and daikon, press them under the liquid and leave for at least 30 minutes.
- Mix the garlic, shallots, lemongrass, fish sauce, sugar, soy sauce, oil and pepper in a bowl. Add the pork slices and turn to coat. Marinate for at least 1 hour, or overnight in the fridge.
- Heat a grill or a cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Cook the pork for 2 to 3 minutes per side until charred at the edges and cooked through, at least 63°C (145°F) inside. Rest for 3 minutes, then cut into strips.
- Warm the baguettes in a 180°C (350°F) oven for 4 to 5 minutes until the crust crackles. Split each lengthwise, leaving one side hinged, and pull out a little crumb to make room.
- Spread mayonnaise inside each loaf. Add the pork, cucumber, drained pickles, cilantro and chili. Close and eat right away while the bread is crisp.
Tips
- A Vietnamese baguette is lighter than a French one, with a thin crust and airy crumb. If your bread is dense or chewy, scoop out more of the crumb so the fillings are not crowded out.
- The pickles keep for 2 weeks in the fridge, so make a jar. Other common fillings are liver pâté, Vietnamese cold cuts (giò lụa), fried egg or grilled meatballs.
Questions and answers
What makes bánh mì different from other sandwiches?
The bread is light with a thin, crackly crust, and the fillings pair rich meat with sharp pickles, fresh herbs and chili. Every bite has sweet, salty, sour, crunchy and fresh notes.
Can I make the parts ahead of time?
Yes. Marinate the pork overnight and keep the pickles for up to 2 weeks. Grill and assemble just before eating so the bread stays crisp.
Can I use a regular baguette?
Yes. Choose one with a thin crust, or warm it well and scoop out some crumb. Soft sub rolls also work if you toast them briefly in the oven.
How long does it take to make Bánh Mì Thịt Nướng (Vietnamese Grilled Pork Sandwich)?
About 45 min in total: 30 min of preparation and 15 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Bánh Mì Thịt Nướng (Vietnamese Grilled Pork Sandwich)?
About 630 kcal per serving, with 33 g of protein, 70 g of carbohydrates and 24 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 630 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 33 g |
| Carbohydrates | 70 g |
| Fat | 24 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 14 g |
| Sodium | 1450 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
