Description
This drool-worthy turkey meatball banh mi sandwich is an easy-to-make version of the popular Vietnamese street food! It’s the perfect combination of sweet and tangy with its crunchy baguette loaded with tangy meatballs and quick-pickled carrots and radishes.
Ingredients
Units
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- 1/4 cup unseasoned rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoons fish sauce
- 2 large carrots, grated (I bought mine pre-grated and used about 1 cup)
- 3 to 4 thinly sliced watermelon radishes (or 1/3 medium daikon radish, grated)
- 1 pound ground turkey (or meat of your choice)
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil (toasted if possible)
- 1/4 cups sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- vegetable oil
- 1 Persian cucumber, sliced lengthwise
- Cilantro leaves for garnish
- Baguettes sliced into 4 sandwich-length rolls
- 4 tablespoons mayonnaise, or to taste
Instructions
- MAKE THE PICKLED VEGGIES: In a medium bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, honey and fish sauce. Add carrots and radishes to the bowl and combine. Set aside.
- PREPARE THE MEATBALLS: In another bowl, mix together turkey, egg, 2 tablespoons chili sauce, sesame oil, and grated ginger. Roll tablespoon-size knobs of the mixture into balls. Use damp hands if needed to avoid sticking.
- COOK: Generously coat the bottom of a non-stick skillet with vegetable oil and heat over medium-high heat. Cook the meatballs until browned, about 6-8 minutes per side. You might need to make in batches to avoid overcrowding.
- REDUCE SAUCE: Add the remaining chili sauce and 1/4 cup water to the pan and cook 1-2 minutes longer, until sauce is reduced and meatballs are cooked through.
- ASSEMBLE: Slice rolls and toast. When done, spread with mayonnaise (to taste), sliced cucumbers, meatballs, and pickled carrots and radish (shake off any extra liquid before adding to the sandwich).
- SERVE: Top with cilantro leaves, to taste and serve.
Notes
- If you’d rather bake your meatballs than cook them on the stovetop, you can! Just add your meatballs to a sheet pan lined in foil or parchments paper and bake at 400 degrees until cooked through, about 20-25 minutes.
- If you want a bit more heat, you can add some sriracha to your mayonnaise!
- Roasted cashews make a great side.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main, Sandwich
- Method: Stovetop