Vietnamese-Inspired Grilled Pork Banh Mi Sandwiches

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

Juicy grilled pork marinated in lemongrass and fish sauce, served on crusty baguettes with pickled vegetables and fresh herbs for a vibrant, crunchy sandwich. This vietnamese-inspired sandwiches & wraps ready in about 30 minutes pairs pork shoulder, thinly sliced, stalks lemongrass stalks, minced, fish sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine 1 lb thinly sliced pork shoulder with 2 minced lemongrass stalks, 3 tbsp fish sauce, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Marinate for at least 1 hour or overnight in the refrigerator.
  2. Step 2: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Grill the marinated pork slices for 2-3 minutes per side until nicely charred and cooked through.
  3. Step 3: Mix 1/4 cup mayonnaise with 1 tbsp sriracha sauce in a small bowl to make a spicy mayo.
  4. Step 4: Slice 4 baguette rolls lengthwise, toast lightly if desired. Spread spicy mayo on the inside of each roll.
  5. Step 5: Layer grilled pork, 1 cup pickled daikon and carrots, 1/2 thinly sliced cucumber, and 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves inside each baguette. Serve immediately for a fresh, crunchy sandwich experience.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Vietnamese-Inspired Grilled Pork Banh Mi Sandwiches 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 Vietnamese-Inspired Grilled Pork Banh Mi Sandwiches?

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 shoulder, thinly sliced from drying out.

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

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-Inspired Grilled Pork Banh Mi Sandwiches 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 Vietnamese-Inspired Grilled Pork Banh Mi Sandwiches?

Vietnamese sandwiches & wraps 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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