Bahn Mi Sandwich with Pickled Veggies

Katy
Jul 10
2 min read

Instant‑Pot Chuck Roast Bánh Mì with Pickled Veggies

I think this is my favorite sandwich. Well, it's between this, a French dip, and a BLT on fresh sourdough. But it's most definitely in my top three. I love a bahn mi. Something about the combination of the acidic and crunchy pickled veggies, the spicy mayo and the shredded, spicy beef. It's just gooood. I have only ever made my bahn mi sandwiches with chuck roast because it's an accessible and affordable cut of meat, and it hits on all the notes we need for this recipe. You may have to cut a bit of fat off, but the marbly fat is also what adds to the flavor and richness of this dish. Any leftover meat I have I'll serve over rice the next day. This is a great dish for meal prep because you can make all the components ahead of time and then compile when you're ready. Hope you experiment a bit and give this one a try!

Ingredients

For the beef:

2½ lb chuck roast, cut into chunks

2 t fish sauce

1 T Chinese five‑spice

2 T soy sauce

1 T hoisin sauce

4 cloves garlic, minced

1″ fresh ginger, grated

1½ cups beef broth

2 T brown sugar

Salt and pepper

Quick pickled veggies:

1 carrot, 1 cucumber, julienned

1 red onion, thinly sliced

1 cup rice vinegar (or white vinegar), ¾ cup water

2 T sugar, 1 t salt

Building the sandwich:

Baguettes or hoagie rolls, split and toasted

Sriracha‑mayo: ½ cup mayo + 2 T Sriracha

Fresh cilantro, jalapeño slices (optional)

Cooking Steps

Season & Sear: Season the chuck roast pieces with salt and pepper. Set your Instant Pot to Sauté, add a drizzle of oil, and brown the roast on all sides. I prefer 2-3" chunks.

Pressure‑Cook: Add in all remaining ingredients and cook on high pressure for 45–60 minutes, then allow a 10‑minute natural release.

Shred & Sauce: Remove the beef, shred with forks, and stir back into the cooking liquid for extra flavor.

Quick Pickled Veggies

Toss veggies with vinegar, hot water, sugar, and salt in a jar.
Seal and refrigerate at least 30 minutes—up to a few hours for deeper tang
Drain slightly before using.

Assembling the Sandwich

Spread a generous layer of spicy mayo on both sides of the toasted baguette. Add on the shredded beef.
Top with pickled veggies, fresh cilantro, and jalapeño slices if you like a kick.
Press the sandwich closed, breathe in the amazing aroma, then bite in for that perfect crunch/juicy combo.