Here’s a breakdown of the ingredients and a step-by-step recipe for making lemongrass pulled pork banh mi:
Ingredients:
- For the pulled pork:
- 2 pounds (900g) pork shoulder or pork butt
- 3 stalks of lemongrass, outer layers removed and finely chopped
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon five-spice powder (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- For the banh mi sandwich:
- Vietnamese baguettes (or any crusty baguette)
- Pickled carrots and daikon radish (you can make your own or find them in Asian grocery stores)
- Sliced cucumbers
- Fresh cilantro leaves
- Sriracha mayo (mix sriracha sauce with mayonnaise, adjust the ratio depending on your preferred level of spiciness)
Instructions:
- In a bowl, combine the lemongrass, minced garlic, soy sauce, fish sauce, brown sugar, vegetable oil, five-spice powder (if using), salt, and pepper. Mix well to create a marinade.
- Place the pork shoulder or pork butt in a large ziplock bag or a covered dish. Pour the marinade over the meat, ensuring it is evenly coated. Let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or overnight for the best flavor.
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Transfer the marinated pork to a baking dish and cover it tightly with foil. Slow-cook the pork in the oven for approximately 3-4 hours, or until the meat is fork-tender and easily shreddable.
- Once the pork is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. Then, use two forks to shred the meat into smaller pieces.
- Now it’s time to assemble your banh mi sandwich! Slice the Vietnamese baguettes lengthwise, without cutting all the way through. Spread a generous amount of sriracha mayo on both sides of the bread.
- Layer the shredded lemongrass pulled pork onto the baguette, followed by pickled carrots and daikon radish, sliced cucumbers, and fresh cilantro leaves.
- Finally, give your banh mi a gentle press to hold everything together and enjoy!
Remember, you can always adjust the ingredients and quantities based on your preferences. Feel free to get creative with additional toppings or dips. I hope you have a fantastic time making and enjoying your homemade lemongrass pulled pork banh mi! Let me know if there’s anything else I can assist you with.
