Pan-Seared Pork Belly Bánh Mì with Spicy Mayo and Pickled Vegetables
Pan-seared pork belly slices with crispy edges layered in a soft baguette, complemented by a spicy mayo and tangy pickled carrot and daikon. This vietnamese-inspired vietnamese ready in about 30 minutes pairs 1/4-inch thick pork belly slices, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 620 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.
Ingredients
- 12 oz, 1/4-inch thick pork belly slices
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 medium, julienned carrot
- 1/2 medium, julienned daikon radish
- 1/2 cup rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 small rolls French baguette
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp sriracha sauce
- 1 small, thinly sliced cucumber
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: Season 12 oz pork belly slices with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper evenly. Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork belly slices and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until edges are crispy and fat is rendered. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Step 2: In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup rice vinegar, 2 tbsp granulated sugar, and 1/2 cup water. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Pour hot vinegar mixture over 1 julienned carrot and 1/2 julienned daikon radish in a bowl. Let cool to room temperature and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
- Step 3: Mix 1/4 cup mayonnaise with 1 tbsp sriracha sauce until smooth.
- Step 4: Slice 2 small French baguettes lengthwise and spread spicy mayo inside.
- Step 5: Fill each sandwich with crispy pork belly slices, pickled carrot and daikon, thinly sliced 1 small cucumber, and 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves. Serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Pork Belly Bánh Mì with Spicy Mayo and Pickled Vegetables 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 Pan-Seared Pork Belly Bánh Mì with Spicy Mayo and 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 salt from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Pork Belly Bánh Mì with Spicy Mayo and 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 Pan-Seared Pork Belly Bánh Mì with Spicy Mayo and Pickled Vegetables 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 Pan-Seared Pork Belly Bánh Mì with Spicy Mayo and Pickled Vegetables?
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Authentic flavors without the hassle of a restaurant. The searing technique in the recipe made the pork belly irresistibly crackly.
- ★★★★★
This recipe transformed my weeknight dinners. The pickled veggies added the ideal tang and the pork belly melted off the bone.
- ★★★★★
The pork belly was perfectly crispy and the spicy mayo cut through the richness beautifully. My kids begged for seconds!