Authentic Vietnamese Banh Mi Sandwich Recipe
Authentic Vietnamese Banh Mi Sandwich Recipe
#VietnameseCuisine #EasySandwich #BanhMiAtHome #SandwichRecipe #HomeCooking
Discover how to make the iconic Vietnamese Banh Mi sandwich at home! This recipe features flavorful seasoned meat patties nestled inside a crisp baguette, generously filled with fresh vegetables. Experience the perfect balance of crunchy exterior and tender interior that makes Banh Mi a beloved street food.
Banh Mi Sandwich Ingredients- 3 meat patties (or 200g thinly sliced beef for bulgogi)
- 1 baguette
- 2 cups celery leaves (or cilantro if preferred)
- 2 tomatoes
- 1/5 cucumber
- 3 Tbsp mayonnaise
- 2 tortillas (optional)
- 5 Tbsp hot sauce or sweet chili sauce
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Heat 1-2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the prepared meat patties and sear until golden brown on both sides. Gently press down with a spatula while cooking to ensure they cook through evenly. If using thinly sliced beef, marinate it with soy sauce, sugar, minced garlic, and pepper before stir-frying.
Step 2
Prepare the fresh vegetables for your Banh Mi. While various vegetables are commonly used, this recipe incorporates tomatoes, celery leaves, and cucumber. Wash the celery leaves thoroughly. Slice the tomatoes and cucumber into approximately 0.5cm thick rounds. If you enjoy cilantro, you can substitute it for the celery leaves.
Step 3
Ask your baker to cut the long baguette into three equal portions, or slice it yourself. To prepare the baguette for filling, lay it flat and carefully slice it lengthwise, cutting only about two-thirds of the way through, creating a pocket without fully separating the halves. This ensures the bread stays intact.
Step 4
Generously spread mayonnaise on the inner surfaces of the halved baguette. Ensure an even coating on both sides. This mayonnaise is key to Banh Mi’s signature taste, providing a creamy contrast to the crisp baguette. (Note: While traditional Vietnamese baguettes are made with rice flour, standard wheat flour baguettes are perfectly fine and readily available.)
Step 5
Layer a generous amount of celery leaves onto the mayonnaise-spread baguette. Packing in plenty of greens adds a refreshing crunch and vibrant flavor.
Step 6
Arrange the sliced tomatoes over the celery leaves, overlapping them slightly for visual appeal. The tomato’s tanginess will balance the richness of the other ingredients.
Step 7
Add the sliced cucumber, followed by the cooked meat patties. You can place the patties whole, or break them apart and scatter them like taco filling. If you used thinly sliced beef, add the cooked bulgogi here.
Step 8
Once all the fillings are generously packed into the baguette, gently close the sandwich. Your delicious Banh Mi is now ready to be enjoyed! It’s a delightful combination of juicy meat, crisp vegetables, and flavorful bread.
Step 9
If you prefer a softer texture than a traditional baguette, consider serving your Banh Mi fillings inside a tortilla. To do this, lightly grill the tortillas on a dry or lightly oiled pan until they are slightly golden and pliable. Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on the grilled tortilla, then layer with celery leaves, lettuce (optional), cucumber, and tomatoes.
Step 10
Top the vegetables with your prepared meat patties or bulgogi.
Step 11
Drizzle with hot sauce or sweet chili sauce according to your preference. Roll up the tortilla to create a delicious wrap. Alternatively, you can fold the grilled tortilla in half and serve it open-faced like a taco, piled with all the fillings.
Step 12
Wrap your Banh Mi in parchment paper or plastic wrap for a neat presentation and easy portability, making it perfect for picnics or packed lunches. For packed lunches, the baguette version is generally recommended. Tortillas can become soggy over time, whereas baguettes tend to remain firm, with the mayonnaise and moisture softening them slightly, maintaining a better texture for longer.
