Banh mi is a delicious Vietnamese sandwich consisting of a crusty baguette stuffed with roasted pork, pickled vegetables, and fresh herbs.
While it is delicious on its own, there are many ways to make it even better. The following are some of the best meals to pair with banh mi.
17 Best Sides to serve with Banh Mi
1. Chicken Teriyaki Banh Mi Sliders
Chicken Teriyaki Banh Mi Sliders are perfect for a party or potluck. They’re simple to prepare and can be offered as an appetizer or a main entrée.
To make these sliders, you will need chicken thighs, teriyaki sauce, slider buns, pickled vegetables, and cilantro.
2. Spicy Tuna Banh Mi
Spicy Tuna Banh Mi features canned tuna mixed with mayonnaise, Sriracha sauce, and diced cucumber.
It is then served on a baguette with pickled vegetables and fresh cilantro. If you want your banh mi to be extra spicy, you can add more Sriracha sauce to the tuna mixture.
3. BBQ Pork Banh Mi
BBQ Pork Banh Mi is tender and flavorful BBQ pork cooked in a crockpot with garlic, onion, and soy sauce. It is served on a baguette with pickled daikon radish, carrot, fresh cilantro, and jalapeno slices.
If you want your banh mi to be less spicy, you can remove the seeds from the jalapeno slices before adding them to the sandwich.
4. Curried tofu Banh Mi- Vegan Option
Curried tofu Banh Mi vegan banh mi features baked tofu marinated in a curry paste made from ginger, garlic, lemongrass, and red pepper flakes.
It is served on a baguette with pickled daikon radish, carrot, fresh cilantro leaves, and jalapeno slices (optional). If you want your banh mi to be less spicy, you can remove the seeds from the jalapeno slices before adding them to the sandwich.
5. Roasted Sweet Potato
Roasted sweet potatoes are a great way to add some sweetness and heartiness to the meal.
Simply cut some sweet potatoes into thin wedges, cover with olive oil and salt, and roast until soft and gently browned in a preheated oven. Serve alongside your banh mi sandwiches.
6. Cucumber Salad
A refreshing cucumber salad is a perfect way to balance out the rich flavors of the banh mi. To taste, combine thinly sliced cucumbers, rice vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper.
Let the salad sit for at least 15 minutes so the flavors can meld together. Serve alongside your sandwiches.
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7. Fruit Salad
A fruit salad is a fantastic way to add brightness and acidity to the meal. Combine your favorite fruits (we like using grapes, oranges, and pineapple) with a bit of lime juice and sugar. Toss everything together and serve alongside the banh mi.
8. Fried Plantains
Plantains are starchy bananas that can be prepared in various ways. For this dish, they are fried until golden brown and served as a sweet and savory accompaniment to the other flavors in the banh mi.
9. Spicy Chicken Wings
Chicken wings are always a popular choice, and they are especially good when they are spicy. The wings’ heat will perfectly balance the cooling cucumbers and pickled vegetables in the sandwich.
10. Lemongrass Tofu
Tofu is a common ingredient in banh mi, but it can also be served as a side dish. This lemongrass tofu is marinated in a delicious blend of spices and then pan-fried until crispy. It makes a great addition to any banh mi meal.
11. Spring Rolls
Spring rolls are light and refreshing, making them the perfect side for banh mi. They’re usually served with a dipping sauce, like hoisin sauce. You can fill them with whatever you like, but they often contain shrimp, noodles, and vegetables.
12. Curried Cauliflower
Cauliflower is a flexible vegetable that may be utilized in various recipes. In this case, it is roasted with aromatic spices and served alongside the banh mi. The curry flavor complements the sandwich’s other elements.
13. Glass Noodles
Glass noodles, also known as cellophane noodles, are made from mung bean starch and have a clear appearance when cooked.
They make a great addition to any banh mi bowl or plate, providing both texture and flavor.
14. Grilled Corn
Corn on the cob is often grilled in Vietnam, making it delicious to banh mi. The grilled corn’s smokey flavor complements the other elements in the sandwich. It also adds a little crunch!
15. Papaya Salad
Papaya salad is a popular dish in Vietnam that is often served as an accompaniment to banh mi sandwiches. It is made with shredded green papaya, carrots, herbs, peanuts, and chili peppers, all tossed together in a light fish sauce dressing.
The salad provides a crunchy contrast to the other components of the sandwich.
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16. Coconut Rice
Coconut rice is steamed rice cooked with coconut milk instead of water. It has a rich, creamy texture, and its sweetness pairs well with the savory flavors of banh mi. Plus, it’s easy to add some extra protein and fiber to your meal.
17. Soy sauce
A dipping sauce made from equal parts soy sauce and rice vinegar is commonly served with banh mi and provides a salty/sour contrast to the other flavors in the dish.
FAQs
What meat is best on banh mi?
Banh Mi typically goes with pork, but you can try it with chicken, Lamb, and beef. You can also try using tofu or tempeh.
Be sure to add plenty of fresh vegetables and a flavorful sauce. This will help to create a delicious and satisfying meal.
Is it butter or mayo in banh mi?
In most banh mi sandwiches, you will find both butter and mayonnaise. The two ingredients work together to add creaminess and flavor to the sandwich.
Some recipes call for only one or the other. Still, typically you will find both used in traditional Vietnamese banh mi recipes.
Butter adds a rich flavor, while mayonnaise adds tanginess and helps to hold all the ingredients together. Together they make a delicious combination that packs a flavorful punch!
So if you’re wondering what’s inside the traditional banh mi sandwich, the answer is butter and mayo. Enjoy!