Hidden Veggie Banh Mi with Pickled Daikon and Carrot
A vibrant Vietnamese-inspired sandwich featuring a crusty baguette layered with hidden shredded vegetables, fresh herbs, and pickled daikon and carrot for crunch and tang. This vietnamese-inspired sandwiches & wraps (vegetarian) ready in about 30 minutes pairs large, about 12 inches baguette, shredded daikon radish, shredded carrot for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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. 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 large, about 12 inches baguette
- 1 cup shredded daikon radish
- 1 cup shredded carrot
- 1/2 cup rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2, thinly sliced cucumber
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
- 1 small, thinly sliced jalapeño
- 3 tablespoons vegan mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 8 ounces, sliced into 1/4 inch slabs tofu, extra firm
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 1 teaspoon salt; stir until sugar dissolves. Place 1 cup shredded daikon radish and 1 cup shredded carrot in a jar or bowl and pour the pickling liquid over. Let sit for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season 8 ounces sliced extra firm tofu with 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Cook tofu slabs for 4-5 minutes per side until golden and crisp on edges.
- Step 3: Cut 1 large baguette horizontally but not all the way through to create a hinge. Spread 3 tablespoons vegan mayonnaise mixed with 1 tablespoon soy sauce evenly inside the bread.
- Step 4: Layer cooked tofu, pickled daikon and carrot (drained), 1/2 thinly sliced cucumber, 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves, and 1 small thinly sliced jalapeño inside the baguette.
- Step 5: Close the sandwich gently and press slightly to compact. Slice into portions and serve immediately for a crunchy, fresh hidden veggie banh mi.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Hidden Veggie Banh Mi with Pickled Daikon and Carrot take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (20 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 Hidden Veggie Banh Mi with Pickled Daikon and Carrot?
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 shredded daikon radish from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Hidden Veggie Banh Mi with Pickled Daikon and Carrot?
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 Hidden Veggie Banh Mi with Pickled Daikon and Carrot 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.
Is Hidden Veggie Banh Mi with Pickled Daikon and Carrot 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.