Vietnamese-Style Grilled Pork Sandwich with Pickled Vegetables

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A flavorful Vietnamese sandwich featuring tender grilled pork, tangy pickled vegetables, and fresh herbs on a crusty baguette. This vietnamese-inspired sandwiches & wraps ready in about 50 minutes pairs thinly sliced pork shoulder, fish sauce, sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 3, 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 3 Vietnamese cuisine 550 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine 2 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp sugar, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tbsp vegetable oil. Add 1 lb thinly sliced pork shoulder and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Meanwhile, prepare the pickled vegetables by combining 1/2 cup rice vinegar, 1/2 cup water, 1 tsp salt, 1 julienned medium carrot, and 1 cup julienned daikon radish in a jar. Let sit for 20 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill the marinated pork slices for 3-4 minutes per side until cooked through and slightly charred.
  4. Step 4: Slice the baguette lengthwise and toast lightly. Layer the grilled pork on the bottom half, top with pickled vegetables, 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves, and optional 1 thinly sliced jalapeño. Close the sandwich and serve immediately.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Vietnamese-Style Grilled Pork Sandwich with Pickled Vegetables 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 Vietnamese-Style Grilled Pork Sandwich with Pickled Vegetables?

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 thinly sliced pork shoulder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Vietnamese-Style Grilled Pork Sandwich with Pickled Vegetables?

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-Style Grilled Pork Sandwich with Pickled Vegetables for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). 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-Style Grilled Pork Sandwich with Pickled Vegetables?

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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