Banh Mi-Style Pork Meatball Sandwich with Pickled Vegetables

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-20 · Updated 2026-06-20

Savory Vietnamese pork meatballs nestled in a crusty baguette with tangy pickled vegetables and fresh herbs. This Vietnamese-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs ground pork, scallions, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground pork
• 3, finely chopped scallions
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 4 small baguettes
• 1 medium, julienned carrot
• 1/2 cup julienned daikon radish
• 1/2 cup rice vinegar
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tbsp sugar (for pickling)
• 1 tsp salt (for pickling)
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
• 1/2, thinly sliced cucumber
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: For pickled vegetables, combine 1/2 cup rice vinegar, 1/2 cup water, 2 tbsp sugar, and 1 tsp salt in a bowl. Add 1 medium julienned carrot and 1/2 cup julienned daikon radish. Toss and let sit for at least 30 minutes.
2. Step 2: In a mixing bowl, combine 1 lb ground pork, 3 finely chopped scallions, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tsp sugar, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix thoroughly and form into 16 small meatballs.
3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the meatballs in batches for about 8-10 minutes, turning frequently until golden brown and cooked through.
4. Step 4: Slice 4 small baguettes lengthwise without cutting all the way through. Spread 1/4 cup mayonnaise evenly inside each baguette.
5. Step 5: Layer cooked pork meatballs, drained pickled vegetables, 1/2 thinly sliced cucumber, and 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves inside each baguette.
6. Step 6: Serve sandwiches immediately, allowing the contrasting flavors and textures to shine.