Banh Mi with Spiced Ground Pork

Name: Banh Mi with Spiced Ground Pork
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 22 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Ingredients: 1 tsp. canola oil; 1 tbsp. finely chopped yellow onion; 12 oz. ground pork; 2 tbsp. hoisin sauce; 2 tbsp. soy sauce; 1 tsp. toasted sesame oil; 1/2 tsp. Asian-style hot sauce; 1/2 tsp. Chinese five-spice powder; 1/2 tsp. red food coloring; 1/4 tsp. onion powder; 1/4 tsp. garlic powder; 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste

Recipe GLPR315974260af343

Vietnamese

Main Course

22 min

245 cal

Servings: 4

Stovetop

SNAP eligible

A Vietnamese-inspired sandwich featuring seasoned ground pork cooked with aromatic spices, hoisin sauce, and soy sauce. The filling is savory, umami-rich, and subtly spiced, perfect for serving on a crispy baguette with traditional banh mi accompaniments like pickled vegetables, cilantro, and cucumber.

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Ingredients

1 tsp. canola oil

1 tbsp. finely chopped yellow onion

12 oz. ground pork

2 tbsp. hoisin sauce

2 tbsp. soy sauce

1 tsp. toasted sesame oil

1/2 tsp. Asian-style hot sauce

1/2 tsp. Chinese five-spice powder

1/2 tsp. red food coloring

1/4 tsp. onion powder

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste

Directions

Heat the canola oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Add the finely chopped yellow onion and sauté for 1–2 minutes until it becomes fragrant and begins to soften.
Add the ground pork to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon or spatula as it cooks. Stir frequently to ensure even browning, cooking for about 5–7 minutes until the pork is no longer pink and has reached an internal temperature of 160°F.
In a small bowl, whisk together the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, Asian-style hot sauce, Chinese five-spice powder, red food coloring, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper. Pour this mixture over the cooked pork.
Stir the pork thoroughly to coat it evenly with the sauce mixture. Simmer over medium heat for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce adheres to the meat and the flavors meld together. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional black pepper if desired.
Remove the filling from the heat and let it cool slightly. Serve the spiced pork on crispy baguette slices or Vietnamese sandwich rolls, optionally topped with pickled vegetables, fresh cilantro, cucumber slices, and other traditional banh mi garnishes.

Comments

Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff3.75

The spiced pork filling itself comes together in 22 minutes, but banh mi demands fresh baguettes and pickled vegetables that aren't listed here; expect to add a full stop at an Asian market or Harris Teeter's deli for proper bánh mì bread and quick-pickled daikon and carrot, or settle for grocery-store sandwich rolls that won't deliver the sandwich at all. Ground pork, soy, hoisin, and five-spice powder are all standard finds at any Charlotte chain, but the actual cost per sandwich depends entirely on what bread you choose and whether you add the traditional pickled vegetables, cool herbs, and crumbled pâté—omit those and it's just spiced meat on bread. This recipe works best as a weeknight shortcut for households that already keep Asian pantry staples stocked and won't miss the bright vinegar and crisp texture that make banh mi sing; it's a solid family-friendly one-pan filling, but understand you're getting a loose filling sandwich rather than the real thing without a detour.