Slow-Roasted Five-Spice Pork Bánh Mì Sandwich
A tender slow-roasted pork loin infused with Chinese five-spice seasoning, served in a light Vietnamese baguette with pickled vegetables and fresh herbs. This vietnamese-inspired vietnamese ready in about 100 minutes pairs pork loin, Chinese five-spice powder, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs pork loin
- 2 tsp Chinese five-spice powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4 small rolls French-style baguette
- 1 medium, julienned carrot
- 1/2 medium, julienned daikon radish
- 1/2 cup rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 small, thinly sliced cucumber
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp sriracha sauce
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 300°F. Rub 1.5 lbs pork loin with 2 tsp Chinese five-spice powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper evenly. Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the pork on all sides until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side.
- Step 2: Transfer pork to a roasting pan and roast in the oven for 1 hour 15 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 145°F. Remove and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing thinly.
- Step 3: Meanwhile, prepare pickled vegetables by combining 1/2 cup rice vinegar, 2 tbsp granulated sugar, and 1/2 cup water in a saucepan over medium heat; bring to a boil 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, then refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.
- Step 4: Mix 1/4 cup mayonnaise with 1 tbsp sriracha sauce in a small bowl until smooth.
- Step 5: Slice 4 small French-style baguettes lengthwise without cutting all the way through. Spread the spicy mayo mixture evenly inside each baguette.
- Step 6: Layer each sandwich with slices of roasted pork, pickled carrot and daikon, thin slices of 1 small cucumber, and 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves. Serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Roasted Five-Spice Pork Bánh Mì Sandwich take to make?
Total time is about 100 minutes (25 min prep + 75 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 Slow-Roasted Five-Spice Pork Bánh Mì 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 pork loin from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Roasted Five-Spice Pork Bánh Mì 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 Slow-Roasted Five-Spice Pork Bánh Mì 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 Slow-Roasted Five-Spice Pork Bánh Mì Sandwich?
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
- ★★★★★
The pork was incredibly tender and the five-spice blend was spot on. My family devoured it.
- ★★★★★
Loved it! Perfect for dinner with my kids.
- ★★★★☆
The pork was delicious, but I found the spice blend a bit too subtle for my taste. Still, a great recipe.