Baja Bánh Mì Recipe by Tasty (2024)

CuisineAsianVietnameseSandwichesDifficultyMealApplianceCooking StyleUnder 1 HourSpecial OccasionOne-Pot or PanMeal PrepBig BatchStove TopFusionGame DayDeep-FryBakingLunchDinnerVegetarianVeganHealthyDairy-FreeComfort Food

featured in Music Festival-Inspired Foods

A spin on a traditional Vietnamese dish, crispy beer-battered sweet potatoes are the star of this bánh mì sandwich. Served with a mushroom pâté spread, and topped with pickled vegetables, fresh avocado, and cilantro, it’s so hearty and delicious, you probably won’t even notice that it’s meatless!

Tikeyah Whittle & Karlee Rotoly

Tasty Team

92% would make again

Total Time

3 hr 30 min

3 hr 30 min

Prep Time

30 minutes

30 min

Cook Time

55 minutes

55 min

Baja Bánh Mì Recipe by Tasty (1)

Total Time

3 hr 30 min

3 hr 30 min

Prep Time

30 minutes

30 min

Cook Time

55 minutes

55 min

Ingredients

for 4 servings

Beer-Battered Sweet Potatoes

  • 6 tablespoons neutral oil, such as canola or vegetable
  • 6 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 large stalks lemongrass, bruised and cut into ½-inch (1 1/4 cm) pieces
  • 3 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • ¼ cup rice wine vinegar (60 mL)
  • 2 large sweet potatoes, cut into ⅛-inch (3 mm) thick planks
  • 2 cups canola oil (480 mL), for frying
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (185 g), divided
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 cups lager beer (480 mL)

Quick Pickled Vegetables

  • 1 cup rice wine vinegar (240 mL)
  • ½ cup water (120 mL)
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 large carrots, cut into matchsticks
  • ½ medium red onion, thinly sliced

Mushroom Pâté

  • 1 lb cremini mushrooms (455 g), cleaned and stemmed
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ¼ medium red onion, minced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 fresh ginger, peeled and minced
  • 2 teaspoons vegan worcestershire
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce

Vegan Chipotle Mayonnaise

  • ⅓ cup vegan mayonnaise (80 mL)
  • 1 teaspoon chipotle powder

Slaw

  • ¼ medium purple cabbage, thinly sliced
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 lime, juiced

Assembly

  • 4 French rolls, split lengthwise and toasted (6 in - 15 cm)
  • ½ english cucumber, peeled into ribbons
  • 1 large avocado, thinly sliced
  • 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup fresh cilantro (40 g), washed and large stems removed

Preparation

  1. Marinate the beer-battered sweet potatoes: In a wide, shallow dish, whisk together the oil, soy sauce, lemongrass, garlic, lime juice, and rice wine vinegar. Add the sweet potatoes to the marinade and toss to coat. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and marinate the sweet potatoes in the refrigerator for 1–2 hours.
  2. Make the quick pickled vegetables: In a small pan, combine the rice wine vinegar, water, sugar, and salt. Bring to a low simmer over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved.
  3. Add the carrots and onion to 2 separate medium bowls. Pour half of the pickle brine into each bowl. Cover each bowl with plastic wrap and transfer to the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or overnight. The longer the vegetables pickle, the deeper the color of the red onions and the stronger the flavor of both will be.
  4. Make the mushroom pâté: Add the mushrooms to a food processor and pulse until finely chopped.
  5. In a medium skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the red onion and garlic and sauté for 2–3 minutes, until fragrant. Add the mushrooms and cook for 5–8 minutes, until most of the moisture has been released and they begin to brown. Add the ginger, vegan Worcestershire sauce, and soy sauce. Cook for 1–2 minutes, until the liquid is fully absorbed and beginning to caramelize. Remove the pan from the heat and let cool for 5–10 minutes.
  6. Return the mushroom mixture to the food processor and process until nearly smooth, 20–30 seconds. Set aside until ready to assemble the sandwiches.
  7. Finish the beer-battered sweet potato: In a large, high-walled skillet, heat the canola oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 375°F (190°C).
  8. While the oil is heating, prepare the beer batter: In a shallow dish with a lip, whisk together the 1 cup (125 G) flour, the salt, and beer until smooth. Add the remaining ½ cup (60 G) flour to a separate shallow dish.
  9. When the oil is hot, begin dredging the sweet potatoes. Working one plank at a time, remove the sweet potato from the marinade, letting any excess drip off. Lightly dredge in the flour, then coat in the beer batter.
  10. Immediately drop the sweet potato plank into the hot oil. Fry in batches of 2 or 3 planks for 2–3 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown. Drain on a wire rack or paper towel-lined baking sheet. Let cool slightly.
  11. Make the vegan chipotle mayonnaise: In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise and chipotle powder.
  12. Make the slaw: In a medium bowl, toss the cabbage with the salt and lime juice.
  13. Assemble the sandwiches: Spread 2 tablespoons of the mushroom pâté onto the bottom of a toasted French roll. Top with cucumber ribbons and 3–4 slices of avocado. Add 1–2 sweet potato planks, then top with jalapeño, pickled carrots and onions, cabbage slaw, and cilantro. Spread chipotle mayonnaise on the top half of the roll, then close the sandwich.
  14. Enjoy!
  15. Cook smarter, not harder. Use our AI chef Botatouille on the Tasty app. Download now.

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Baja Bánh Mì Recipe by Tasty (11)

Baja Bánh Mì Recipe by Tasty (2024)

FAQs

What is banh mi sauce made of? ›

Spicy mayo – A banh mi essential! This sauce, made from mayo, sriracha, lime juice, and sesame oil, adds delicious richness and heat to this fresh sandwich.

What does banh mi mean in Vietnamese? ›

Bánh Mì (pronounced BUN-mee) is the Vietnamese term for “bread”, but it also refers to a special kind of sandwich: a culinary fusion of two cultures and a prime example of how food is always tied with history… The story begins in the mid-19th century when Vietnam fell under French colonial rule.

What kind of bread is used for banh mi? ›

These are the ingredients you'll need to make this bánh mì recipe: Bread: Don't overthink this as one community member says. Look for light, lofty bread. A French-style baguette works but so does a Mexican bolillo or hoagie-style roll.

Should banh mi be eaten cold? ›

the perfect make ahead: banh mi can be served hot or cold that's why they are great to make ahead. with the correct bread these things can hold assembled an entire day that's why the crust on the bread is important it keeps it from getting soggy. SIMILAR INGREDIENTS TO: SPICY BEEF AND BRUSSEL SPROUT SLAW SANDWICH.

What makes Banh Mi so good? ›

Pickled carrot – simple to make, the soft crunch and tartness is such a great contrast to the other textures and flavours. Cucumber, coriander/cilantro, green onion, chilli – the freshness and spiciness that we know and love about Banh Mi!

What is the yellow stuff in Banh Mi? ›

Mayonnaise: Use real mayo. Traditional Vietnamese sandwiches have more of a yellow aioli style mayo used from dark chicken yolks but Hellman's original mayo or salted butter are also great substitutes.

What does banh mean in Vietnamese? ›

Foods made from wheat flour or rice flour are generally called bánh, but the term may also refer to certain varieties of noodle and fish cake dishes, such as bánh canh and bánh hỏi.

What is the English name for banh mi? ›

In Vietnamese cuisine, bánh mì or banh mi (/ˈbɑːn miː/, /ˈbæn/; Vietnamese: [ɓǎjŋ̟ mì], 'bread') is a short baguette with thin, crisp crust and a soft, airy texture.

What does banh mi literally mean? ›

Etymology. borrowed from Vietnamese bánh mì, literally, "bread, baguette," from bánh "cake, pastry" + mì "wheat"

What is a traditional Vietnamese breakfast? ›

Pho, Banh Cuon, and Bun Rieu are typical breakfast dishes in the North. Central Vietnam is well known for its generous use of spices. Notably, in Hue, the foods are influenced by the traditional royal cuisine of Vietnam. Bun Bo Hue and Mi Quang are signature breakfast dishes in the region.

What city is considered the best place to eat a traditional banh mi sandwich? ›

Banh Mi Huynh Hoa in Saigon is the go-to spot recommended by locals for this iconic Vietnamese sandwich. Renowned for its quality and affordability, a standard Banh Mi here is generously filled with pate, vegetables, and a variety of pork (approximately 5 kinds), resulting in a substantial and filling sandwich.

Is Vietnamese banh mi healthy? ›

Banh Mi is quite healthy. The typical Banh Mi has just under 600 calories. The protein is the nutritional star of the dish coming in at 30 grams. The 19 grams of fat are still acceptable.

What is the best meat for Banh Mi? ›

USE THE RIGHT CUT OF PORK

There are Banh Mi recipes made with pork belly (too fatty), pork shoulder (too tough unless you go shredded), pork meatballs (not the right texture), and even chicken. This recipe is made with pork tenderloin which lives up to its name – its unbelievably buttery tender!

What's a good side for Banh Mi? ›

Pickled vegetables with carrot and daikon and the carrot cucumber salad are served with the Banh Mi sandwich. The salad and pickles are the most popular side dish added to the sandwich. The salad gives a refreshing touch to the sandwich. The earthy, crunchy, and tangy flavors complement the Banh Mi flavors.

Should banh mi bread be toasted? ›

One of the most important elements of a banh mi sandwich is the bread – specifically, baguette. You must (and I repeat, MUST) toast your baguette because part of the experience of eating a banh mi is the crunch!

Why is Vietnamese mayo so yellow? ›

Unlike American mayonnaise, which uses whole eggs and vinegar, the Vietnamese version uses only yolks and no vinegar. Because there are only egg yolks, Vietnamese mayo is more yellow in color.

What is the difference between Vietnamese mayonnaise and regular mayonnaise? ›

Unlike American mayonnaise, which uses whole eggs and white vinegar, the Vietnamese version uses only yolks, much like Japan's famous Kewpie mayonnaise. Though both have similar base ingredients, Kewpie uses rice or apple cider vinegar, while Vietnamese-style mayo doesn't often include vinegar at all.

What sauce to eat with banh tet? ›

Usual way is to eat Bánh tét with pickled fish sauce veggies or with the sauce of Vietnamese caramelized pork (thit kho) trust me I love it the usual way too. Something about it being crispy hits.

What does Hanoi sauce taste like? ›

By combining with sugar, water, rice vinegar, garlic, chili, fresh lime or kumquat, the dipping sauce, though still salty, has a lighter taste than its original fish sauce. Its flavor is commonly sweet, sour, salty, and spicy.

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