Vietnamese Banh Mi-Inspired Grilled Pork Sandwich

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

A crispy baguette filled with savory grilled pork, pickled vegetables, and fresh herbs echoing the vibrant street flavors of Vietnam. This vietnamese-inspired street food ready in about 55 minutes pairs small French baguettes, pork shoulder slices, 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: 45 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 bowl, combine 12 oz thinly sliced pork shoulder, 2 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 small thinly sliced shallot. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, mix 1/4 cup white vinegar, 1 tbsp sugar, and 1/4 tsp salt. Add 1 medium julienned carrot and 1/2 cup julienned daikon radish, tossing to coat. Let sit for 15 minutes to pickle.
  3. Step 3: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill the marinated pork slices for 2-3 minutes per side until nicely charred and cooked through.
  4. Step 4: Slice 2 small French baguettes lengthwise without cutting all the way through. Spread 1/4 cup mayonnaise evenly inside each baguette.
  5. Step 5: Layer the grilled pork, drained pickled vegetables, 1/2 small thinly sliced cucumber, 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, and optional thin jalapeño slices inside the baguettes.
  6. Step 6: Close the sandwiches gently, cut in half, and serve immediately to enjoy the balance of savory, tangy, and fresh street-inspired flavors.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Vietnamese Banh Mi-Inspired Grilled Pork Sandwich take to make?

Total time is about 55 minutes (45 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 Vietnamese Banh Mi-Inspired Grilled Pork 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 small french baguettes from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Vietnamese Banh Mi-Inspired Grilled Pork 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 Vietnamese Banh Mi-Inspired Grilled Pork Sandwich 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 Vietnamese Banh Mi-Inspired Grilled Pork Sandwich?

Vietnamese street food 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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