Charbroiled Lemongrass Pork Banh Mi Sandwich
Tender, marinated pork grilled over high heat and served in a crisp baguette with pickled vegetables and fresh herbs for a Vietnamese street food flavor. This vietnamese-inspired sandwiches & wraps ready in about 25 minutes pairs thinly sliced pork shoulder, finely minced lemongrass stalks, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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, thinly sliced pork shoulder
- 2, finely minced lemongrass stalks
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4 small, crusty baguettes
- 1 cup pickled daikon and carrot
- 1 small, thinly sliced cucumber
- 1/2 cup leaves fresh cilantro
- 1, thinly sliced jalapeño
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, combine 1 lb thinly sliced pork shoulder, 2 finely minced lemongrass stalks, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp black pepper, and 2 tbsp vegetable oil. Mix well and marinate for at least 1 hour or overnight for deeper flavor.
- Step 2: Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill marinated pork slices for 3-4 minutes per side until nicely charred and cooked through.
- Step 3: Slice 4 small crusty baguettes lengthwise, leaving a hinge. Spread 2 tbsp mayonnaise inside each baguette.
- Step 4: Layer grilled pork evenly into each baguette, then add 1/4 cup pickled daikon and carrot, 3-4 thin cucumber slices, fresh cilantro leaves, and 4-5 jalapeño slices per sandwich.
- Step 5: Close sandwiches and press lightly. Serve immediately for a flavorful Vietnamese charbroiled pork banh mi experience.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Charbroiled Lemongrass Pork Banh Mi Sandwich take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (15 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 Charbroiled Lemongrass Pork Banh Mi Sandwich?
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 thinly sliced pork shoulder from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Charbroiled Lemongrass Pork Banh Mi Sandwich?
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 Charbroiled Lemongrass Pork Banh Mi Sandwich 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.
What goes well with Charbroiled Lemongrass Pork Banh Mi Sandwich?
Vietnamese sandwiches & wraps like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.