Vietnamese Pork Meatball Banh Mi

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant sandwich layering juicy pork meatballs, pickled vegetables, and fresh herbs on a crusty baguette for a delicious Vietnamese classic. This vietnamese-inspired sandwiches & wraps ready in about 35 minutes pairs ground pork, minced garlic, fish sauce 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.

★ 4.2 (14 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine 1 lb ground pork, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tsp sugar, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix well and form into 12 equal meatballs.
  2. Step 2: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook the meatballs for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally until browned and cooked through.
  3. Step 3: Meanwhile, prepare quick pickles by mixing 1/4 cup rice vinegar, 1/4 cup water, 1/2 tsp salt with 1 julienned carrot and 1/2 cup julienned daikon radish. Let sit for at least 10 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Slice 1 large baguette into 4 portions and lightly toast. Spread 1 tbsp mayonnaise on each piece.
  5. Step 5: Assemble sandwiches by layering cooked pork meatballs, pickled vegetables, 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves, and thin slices of 1 small jalapeño on each baguette piece.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Vietnamese Pork Meatball Banh Mi take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (20 min prep + 15 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 Pork Meatball Banh Mi?

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 ground pork from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Vietnamese Pork Meatball Banh Mi?

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 Pork Meatball Banh Mi 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 Pork Meatball Banh Mi?

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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