Crisped Pork Belly Bánh Mì with Spicy Pickled Vegetables and Cilantro

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A savory Vietnamese sandwich with crispy pork belly, spicy pickled carrots and daikon, fresh cucumber, and cilantro on a light baguette with creamy mayonnaise. This vietnamese-inspired vietnamese ready in about 65 minutes pairs pork belly, skin on, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 720 calories and feeds 2, 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.

★ 4.4 (12 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 50 min Serves 2 Vietnamese cuisine 720 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Score the skin of 1 lb pork belly in a crosshatch pattern. Rub with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Place on a rack over a baking sheet.
  2. Step 2: Roast pork belly for 30 minutes at 400°F until skin is blistered and crispy. Reduce heat to 350°F and continue roasting for another 20 minutes until meat is tender. Let rest 10 minutes, then slice thinly.
  3. Step 3: For spicy pickled vegetables, combine 1 cup julienned daikon radish and 1 cup julienned carrots in a jar. Heat 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/2 cup water, 2 tbsp granulated sugar, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp red chili flakes in a saucepan until sugar dissolves. Pour hot liquid over vegetables and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Cut 1 medium French baguette lengthwise without slicing all the way through. Spread 2 tbsp mayonnaise evenly on both sides.
  5. Step 5: Assemble the bánh mì by layering sliced crispy pork belly, 1/2 cup thinly sliced cucumber, a generous portion of spicy pickled daikon and carrot, and 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves inside the baguette. Serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Crisped Pork Belly Bánh Mì with Spicy Pickled Vegetables and Cilantro take to make?

Total time is about 65 minutes (15 min prep + 50 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 Crisped Pork Belly Bánh Mì with Spicy Pickled Vegetables and Cilantro?

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 pork belly, skin on from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Crisped Pork Belly Bánh Mì with Spicy Pickled Vegetables and Cilantro?

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 Crisped Pork Belly Bánh Mì with Spicy Pickled Vegetables and Cilantro for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Crisped Pork Belly Bánh Mì with Spicy Pickled Vegetables and Cilantro?

Vietnamese vietnamese 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.

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