Banh Mi-Inspired Grilled Tofu Sandwich with Pickled Vegetables

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant vegetarian sandwich featuring smoky grilled tofu, crisp pickled carrots and daikon, fresh herbs, and creamy mayo on a crusty baguette. This Vietnamese-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 40 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Combine 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and 1 minced garlic clove in a shallow dish. Marinate 14 oz pressed and 1/2-inch sliced firm tofu in this mixture for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Step 2: To quick pickle, mix 1/2 cup rice vinegar, 3 tbsp sugar, and 1/2 tsp salt in a bowl until sugar dissolves. Add 1 medium julienned carrot and 1 cup julienned daikon radish, tossing to combine. Let sit for 20 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Preheat grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill marinated tofu slices for 3-4 minutes per side until grill marks appear and tofu is heated through.
  4. Step 4: Slice 1 baguette loaf into 4 pieces and lightly toast until edges are crispy.
  5. Step 5: Spread 1 tbsp mayonnaise on each baguette piece. Layer grilled tofu, pickled vegetables, 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves, 1 small thinly sliced cucumber, and 1 small thinly sliced jalapeño on each sandwich.
  6. Step 6: Serve immediately for a fresh, flavorful vegetarian Vietnamese-inspired sandwich.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Banh Mi-Inspired Grilled Tofu Sandwich with Pickled Vegetables take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (40 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Banh Mi-Inspired Grilled Tofu Sandwich with Pickled Vegetables?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep soy sauce from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Banh Mi-Inspired Grilled Tofu Sandwich with Pickled Vegetables?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Banh Mi-Inspired Grilled Tofu Sandwich with Pickled Vegetables for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Banh Mi-Inspired Grilled Tofu Sandwich with Pickled Vegetables vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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