Saigon-Style Banh Mi with Pickled Vegetables and Spicy Mayo

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Crispy baguette filled with savory pork, tangy pickled carrots and daikon, fresh herbs, and a spicy mayonnaise spread. This Vietnamese recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs Vietnamese baguette, pork shoulder, fish sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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.

Prep: 40 min Cook: 10 min Serves 2 Vietnamese cuisine 550 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk 1/2 cup white vinegar, 2 tbsp sugar, and 1/4 tsp salt until sugar dissolves. Add 1 julienned medium carrot and 1/2 cup julienned daikon radish, toss and let pickle for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Marinate 1/2 lb thinly sliced pork shoulder with 1 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 minced garlic clove, and 1/4 tsp black pepper for 20 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the marinated pork for 3-4 minutes per side until caramelized and cooked through.
  4. Step 4: Mix 1/4 cup mayonnaise with 1 tbsp Sriracha sauce in a small bowl to make spicy mayo.
  5. Step 5: Slice 2 Vietnamese baguettes lengthwise without cutting all the way through, then lightly toast until crisp.
  6. Step 6: Spread spicy mayo on the baguette interiors, layer with cooked pork, drained pickled carrot and daikon, thinly sliced 1/2 cucumber, fresh 1/4 cup cilantro, and optional 1 thinly sliced jalapeño.
  7. Step 7: Close the sandwich, press lightly, and serve immediately for a vibrant balance of savory, spicy, and tangy flavors.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Saigon-Style Banh Mi with Pickled Vegetables and Spicy Mayo take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (40 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 Saigon-Style Banh Mi with Pickled Vegetables and Spicy Mayo?

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 vietnamese baguette from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Saigon-Style Banh Mi with Pickled Vegetables and Spicy Mayo?

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 Saigon-Style Banh Mi with Pickled Vegetables and Spicy Mayo 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 Saigon-Style Banh Mi with Pickled Vegetables and Spicy Mayo?

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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