Friends, behold: The Vegan Banh Mi.
Consider this my spin on the popular, classic Vietnamese sandwich. So many versions I’ve seen rely on tempeh or tofu as the main filling. But I couldn’t help but wonder if the humble cauliflower could step in and take its place, because it’s fast to prepare, absorbs flavors well, and is so delicious when stir-fried. Spoiler alert: It totally worked.
This recipe comes together in 30 minutes! Yep, that fast, which means it’s lunch- and dinner-friendly (quick meals for the win).
It starts by quick-pickling radish and carrot in vinegar, a little salt, and sugar. This makes them crispy, salty, tangy, and a little sweet. Next comes the main event: the cauliflower.
Origins of Banh Mi
While the literal translation of bánh mì is “bread,” the term is commonly used to refer to a Vietnamese sandwich served on a baguette or similar French bread.
It’s believed that the bánh mì sandwich originated in the late 1950s in Saigon, Vietnam (source). There are now several different variations of banh mi, but common among them are pickled veggies, fresh herbs, cucumbers, and chilies. You can learn more and find some authentic recipes here.
Our version is not authentic, but a plant-based take that incorporates similar fresh ingredients, pickled veggies, spicy condiments, and herbs on a crunchy baguette.
How to Make a Vegan Banh Mi
First, we marinate the cauliflower in a simple, spicy, savory sauce. Then we sauté and finish by roasting in the oven until tender. Mmm, roasty.
Once the 3-ingredient sriracha mayo is made and the bread is toasted, it’s time to assemble! First aioli, then cauliflower, then pickled vegetables and garnishes. That’s it!
We hope you LOVE this vegan banh mi. It’s:
Hearty
Crunchy
Savory
BIG on flavor
Quick to make
& SO satisfying
This would make the perfect meal when you’re craving a sandwich but want something more than PB&J. It’s the perfect marriage of textures, temperatures, and flavors. Enjoy as is or pair with these Vietnamese-inspired Spring Rolls!
If you’re into cauliflower, also check out our Curried Cauliflower Wings, Cauliflower Rice Stir-Fry, Gochujang Cauliflower Wings, Curry Roasted Cauliflower Kale Salad, and The Best Whole Roasted Cauliflower.
If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, friends!
Cauliflower Banh Mi
Ingredients
PICKLED VEGETABLES
- 2/3cuprice wine vinegar(or sub apple cider vinegar)
- 1/3cuphot water
- 1/2tspsea salt
- 1Tbsporganic cane sugar(or stevia to taste)
- 2/3cupthinly sliced or shredded carrot
- 1/3cupthinly sliced or shredded daikon or round radish
CAULIFLOWER
- 2Tbspchili garlic sauce
- 5Tbspcoconut aminos(or sub tamari and reduce quantity to taste as it’s saltier)
- 1Tbspmaple syrup
- 1Tbsplime juice
- 1Tbspsesame or avocado oil(if avoiding oil, omit)
- 4cups(heaped) cauliflower florets(cut in bite-size pieces)
AIOLI
- 1/2cupVegan Mayo(or store-bought)
- 2tspmaple syrup
- 1Tbspsriracha(or other hot sauce of choice)
SANDWICH
- 2smallbaguettes*(use gluten-free bread to keep gluten-free friendly, such as New Cascadia)
- Fresh cilantro(optional)
- Fresh cucumber(optional)
- Sliced jalapeño pepper(optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (232 C).
- Prepare pickled vegetables first by adding vinegar, hot water, salt, and sugar (or stevia) to a glass jar and shaking or stirring vigorously to dissolve salt and sugar. Then add carrot and radish, stir to coat, and push down to submerge. Cover and place in the refrigerator to chill, where they will “quick pickle” until sandwich is ready. Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator up to 1 week (sometimes more).
- To a medium mixing bowl, add chili garlic sauce, coconut aminos (or tamari), maple syrup, lime juice, and oil and stir to combine. Then add cauliflower florets and toss to combine.
- Heat a large rimmed oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, use a slotted spoon to scoop the cauliflower into the pan, reserving most of the liquid in the bowl.
- Sauté, stirring semi-frequently, until slightly browned on the exterior. Then add most of the reserved marinade (saving a little for serving) and toss to coat. Transfer pan to the oven and bake until crispy on the outside yet tender on the inside – about 15 minutes.
- In the meantime, prepare aioli by adding vegan mayo to a small mixing bowl with maple syrup and sriracha. Stir to combine. Then sample and adjust flavor as needed, adding more sriracha for heat or maple syrup for sweetness. Set in the refrigerator until serving.
- Slice the baguettes in half and toast in the oven (facedown directly on the oven rack) or on a hot grill pan until slightly browned. Then assemble: To the baguette, add aioli to both sides of the bread. Then to one side, add the cauliflower and brush on any leftover cauliflower marinade for more flavor. Last, add pickled vegetables, cilantro (optional), cucumber (optional), and jalapeño (optional).
- Enjoy. Best when fresh, though can be made in the morning and enjoyed for lunch – just refrigerate to keep fresh. Store leftovers separately in the refrigerator (except any un-toasted bread) up to a few days. Not freezer friendly.
Video
Notes
*You could also swap the bread for lettuce cups or a collard green wrap to keep this grain-free!
*Inspiration taken from the New York Times.
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate for 1 sandwich calculated without optional ingredients or toppings.
Kiesays
I love this recipe. I’ve made it a couple of times and it’s a hit each time. The flavors are sweet and spicy (a little) and wildly satisfying.
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Thanks so much for the lovely review, Kie. We are so glad you enjoy the recipe! Next time, would you mind leaving a star rating with your review? It’s super helpful for us and other readers. Thanks so much! xo
Jill Bedfordsays
This was delicious! Thank you for the yummiest of recipes!
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Woohoo! Thanks for the great review, Jill!
Gabbysays
Delicious. I had some pickled carrots on hand, so just used those and skipped the radish, and used 3 tbsp of tamari in place of the coconut aminos + sambal oelek in place of the sriracha for the aioli. Cauliflower’s one of those vegetables I don’t eat nearly enough of, so I’m stoked to add a recipe centered around them to the rotation that really hits the spot!
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We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Gabby! Thank you for the lovely review and for sharing your modifications! xo
Donnasays
Made these sandwiches a couple of nights ago. We all loved them! After dinner I read the nutrition information, which I found that the sodium level is pretty high. So in the future I am going to try and reduce the aminos to maybe 4 tablespoons. We’ll see how that goes. We had leftovers which I used some of the cauliflower and aioli in a salad. Very tasty! Then I used the rest of the leftovers to make wraps adding some avocado and a mix of greens. They turned out wonderful! Thank you for such a versatile, tasty recipe! Your style of cooking is just what we like. Fewer ingredients, with lots of flavor, and simple to make.
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We’re so glad you enjoy our recipes, Donna! Thank you for sharing! xo
Robin Millersays
This was absolutely delicious, we love regular Bahn mi, but this will now be our go-to at home. I think toasting the bread is key! Next time I will use even less liquid with the cauliflower, so it is more “dry roasted” and will maybe get some more browned bits. I also slivered the jalapeno and added it to the quick pickle.
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Ooo yum! Love the idea of pickled jalapeño! Thanks for the great review, Robin, so glad you enjoyed!
Amysays
This recipe is amazing. Flavor pops in your mouth. I didn’t know if I’d like the cauliflower, but wow oh wow, the texture after baking is so delightful and when you mix the spicy sweet of that with the tanginess of the radish/carrots and the coolness of the cucumbers/cilantro and the spicy mayo to top it off — it’s like nothing I’ve ever tasted and definitely falls into my list of top recipes of all time. Daughter is coming home from college this week and I’ve promised to make it for her — she’s excited. Thank you for this recipe!
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Aw, love everything about this! Thank you so much for sharing, Amy! xoxo
Andreasays
This was incredible!! I only had frozen cauliflower – roasted that in the oven – about 15 minutes from frozen then pulled it out and tossed with the sauce and back in to finish roasting until a little roast char and done. I also swapped the aioli for Sriracha hummus and it was so glorious! This is one I want to invite friends over to make this so they can taste how good it is!
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Aw, yay! We’re so glad you enjoyed it so much, Andrea. Thank you for sharing! xo
Katrinasays
I love this recipe! However instead of bread I use soft corn tortillas and make banh mi tacos.
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Ooo, yum! Thanks for sharing, Katrina!
Kailasays
Amazing!! Will 100% make again, Bahn Mi is one of the only foods I’ve missed since going vegetarian and this recipe is a game changer! Thank you!!
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Yay! Thanks so much for the great review, Kaila! So glad you enjoyed this recipe!
Heathersays
We make this literally every other week, it’s our favorite recipe! We use slices of tofu instead of cauliflower. Love!
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Amazing! So glad you enjoy this recipe so much, Heather. Thanks for the great review!
Ksays
I made a version of this recipe recently with extra firm, pressed tofu instead of cauliflower. Used the same marinade and let it sit for about a half-hour before pan-frying what I needed for one sandwich (the rest marinated until the next day and was even better!) Made the pickled veg with half rice wine vinegar and half ACV and added sliced Persian cucumber to the mix. I wouldn’t personally recommend the ACV as it made it very vinegary and not as light as I would have liked it or as it probably would be with just the RWV. Overall, for an altered version of this recipe, I liked it but can’t wait to make it again so I can do it better than my Frankenstein version this last time around. Thanks again for another great recipe, MB!
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Thank you for sharing!
Jamiesays
This recipe is fantastic. I didn’t even marinate the cauliflower, only roasted with some salt and pepper and it’s one of the tastiest things I’ve ever eaten. Thanks for the recipe!
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We’re glad to hear you enjoy it so much, Jamie! Thank you for the lovely review! xo
Evasays
This is the best thing ever! Thank youuuu!!!!! I’ve made it like 5 times already since I first tried it.
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Yay! Thanks so much, Eva. So glad you enjoy it!
Kai Lindsaysays
Amazing! I used hummus instead of the vegan Mayo simply because I didn’t have any and I also put it on your gf flat bread 🤩 the best !! I can’t recommend this enough.
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Yumm – sounds delish! Thanks so much for the lovely review, Kai!
Amritasays
This recipes is incredible delicious. I have made for a few friends and family they absolutely loved it.
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Yay! We’re so glad to hear that, Amrita! Thank you for the lovely review! xo
Lukesays
Made it using daikon, and used light soy sauce instead of the coconut aminos. It was so delicious, the 4.97/5 rating is not an exaggeration. Will definitely be making this a million more times.
Really great recipe, thanks very much!
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Woohoo! SO glad you enjoyed it, Luke. Thank you for sharing!
Steffsays
This recipe is amazing, total flavour bomb. Took me about an hour total, but well worth the time. I only used about 1/3 of the sriracha mayo and pickled veggies, so next time I’ll either make sure I have a 2nd head of cauliflower to do up another batch the next day, or cut those parts in half. Or, perhaps I should try this with tofu the second day (marinade in probably half a batch of the sauce, then bake?), hmmm…
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Ooo – such a good idea! Thanks for the lovely review, Steff, let us know how your tofu experiment goes! xo
Ingesays
I made this today for Fathers Day lunch. It was delicious! I had to triple the recipe so pre-sautéed the cauliflower in batches and then roasted it all together in a large roasting pan. I subbed the baguettes for ciabatta. Everyone (even the non-vegans) loved it. It was perfect.
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Wonderful! We’re so glad everyone enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing, Inge! xo
Ashleysays
Really loved this recipe. The flavors were so balanced and overall definitely a favorite.
The only thing (for me) is that I could not get the cauliflower crispy in the oven, it seemed like the amount of marinade I added to my cast iron was very excessive and didn’t allow for any crispness to happen!
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Thank you for sharing your experience, Ashley! It won’t get super crispy, but should have a crispy exterior. You can definitely experiment with using less marinade (saving more for brushing at the end) to see if that helps.
Eileensays
I served this over rice rather than on a baguette, added more vegetables (watercress, micro-greens) – delicious!
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Sounds like a lovely meal! Thank you for sharing, Eileen! xo
Elainesays
One of my favorite recipes. I stopped eating meat almost two years ago. I loved traditional Banh Mi sandwiches and never imagined a vegetable version could replace the intensely delicious flavor. This one does. I couldn’t believe it the first time I made it. Now I have it marked as “Fav” in my recipe book and make it often. Incredible.
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We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Elaine. Thank you for the lovely review! xo
Jenniesays
Bahn Mi’s are one of my favorite foods and definitely my favorite sandwich. After my favorite vegan Bahn Mi shop closed down, I’ve had a hard time finding a replacement. I was *so delighted* that this one hit the spot and that now I know how to make my favorite sandwich!
The first time I made it completely as is, the second time I made a batch of Viet Vegan’s vegan pate for some added protein. I highly recommend this step but either way the sammy is delicious and one of my meat eating fiance’s favorite vegan meals as well! Thank you Dana.
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We’re so glad you both enjoy it, Jennie! Thanks so much for the lovely review! xo
Elizabethsays
This recipe always hits the spot and comes together so quickly!
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Yay! Thanks for sharing, Elizabeth! xo
Juliasays
Arguably one of the best things I’ve ever made! Ticks all the boxes, wouldn’t change a thing! I’ve probably made it 20+ times now because it is THAT good! Thank you for another great recipe.
Dana @ Minimalist Bakersays
So great! Thanks for sharing, Julia!
Courtneysays
This is SUCH a delicious recipe, so customizable, and probably my partner and I’s favorite dish of yours! We’ve made this dozens of times as-is, and it is superb. We decided to try it as a ‘bowl’ with rice, and I included faux beef (added it after taking the cauli out of the oven) with a little bit extra ‘marinade’ and it was superb. It’s hard to mess this recipe up. 10/10
Dana @ Minimalist Bakersays
OMG amazing idea!! We’re going to try that!!
Suzannasays
This is just delicious! It’s the first time I can follow a recipe to a tee flavor wise. No need to sprinkle in a little extra garlic or cayenne. It is visually impressive and just as filling. Made for the second time today and it’s just soo good. Perfect for lunch the next day-the cauliflower even tastes good cold. The only thing I did differently was skip the baking after cooking the cauliflower in the pan because it was already cooked and I didn’t want the extra processing. Definitely do the works with the recommended garnishes! Thank you so much for posting!
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We’re so glad you enjoy it, Suzanna! Thanks so much for the lovely review! xo
Haleysays
So delicious! This is a weeknight staple at our house and one of only a few veggie meals my boyfriend loves.
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Whoop! We’re so glad you both enjoy it! Thanks for sharing, Haley! xo
Nykisays
This is one of my absolute favourite recipes to come back to, both in its original sandwich form, but also modified in to a rice or noodle bowl. The cauliflower is so richly flavoured, I could eat just bowls of it as a meal!
Dana @ Minimalist Bakersays
Amazing! Thanks for sharing, Nyki!
Sidsays
I am craving a Banh Mi which I had in Sydney! Just reading the recipe I am getting hungry and going into the mode of “Try This At Home Now” ! Sorry there was no option to say “I am making this” so went with the “I have a Question”
Thanks for sharing and I am definitely making it soon! :-)
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Let us know how it goes =)
Ichirosays
Great recipe! For me, the nostalgia of Banh Mi has always been the pickled veggies. I piled it on my sandwiches (and reused the vinegar broth by cutting/adding fresh veggies and saving for later). To balance the strong vinegar flavor, I used hummus on its side of the baguette (when I ran out of hummus, I used the Thug Kitchen’s tahini dressing). For the “meat” side, I did use the aioli sauce and added fresh basil to enhance the “spicy” flavor without making it hot. Because I don’t like spicy foods, I did not add any chili garlic sauce to the cauliflower (I did add panko & cornmeal for extra crunch before baking). On the sandwich, I topped the cauliflower with baby spinach for added texture (and more nutrients). Delicious! I have already substituted the cauliflower with air fried brussel sprouts (in only oil/balsamic vinaigrette/salt) which is tasty/preferable and vegan “chicken” strips ( meh – tastes like a regular sandwich). Thank you for this recipe! We had Banh Mi sandwiches all weekend.
Dana @ Minimalist Bakersays
Lovely! Thanks for sharing!! Next time would you mind adding a rating to your review? It’s super helpful to us and other readers! xo
Lindasays
Thank you for this awesome recipe! I made it & it was delightfully devoured!
I have a question about the “rice wine vinegar (or sub apple cider vinegar)”. I used the ACV, but it was a bit strong. I’d like to try the rice wine vinegar, but I’m overwhelmed by the choices: Mirin, rice vinegar or rice wine vinegar?? It seems that there’s a difference. Which would you prefer/recommend?
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We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Linda! We’d suggest rice vinegar or rice wine vinegar as they should be the same. Here‘s the brand we like. Hope that helps!
Nadiasays
So good! Definitely recommend. This should be your next dinner!!
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Yay! So glad you enjoyed it, Nadia! Thanks for sharing!
Casssays
Winner winner have THIS for dinner!!!!! This recipe is phenomenal. Filling and flavorful I’ll be sharing it with vegan and non vegan friends alike.
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Whoop! Thanks so much for the lovely review, Cass!
Amandasays
So delicious! I loved the flavor of the cauliflower. I don’t have chili garlic sauce, so I just put in minced garlic and chili flakes. I had the perfect amount of marinade, but I did end up with lots of extra pickled veggies (I’ll just put them in salads). Cauliflower is one of my favorite veggies and I’m always looking for new ways to use it. This was a winner for sure!
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We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Amanda! Thanks so much for sharing!
Reginasays
This was SO good. Even my meat-and-potatoes husband ate it all up. Definitely need to add in the sliced cucumber next time to balance the heat. Will definitely make again and again!
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We’re so glad you both enjoyed it! Thanks for sharing, Regina!
Doug Powerssays
I made these tonight. I backed off a bit on the chili oil and made up the difference with hoisin and a little dollop of gochujang paste to keep the heat within my wife’s tolerance levels. For my pickles I used carrot, Easter egg radishes, jicama, and green cabbage. Otherwise I followed the recipe as written.
They were insanely good! The flavors and textures were everything we wanted in a banh mi. The cauliflower itself was heaven.
I was astonished at how much four cups of cauliflower florets shrank as they cooked, but it was the perfect amount for our two sandwiches.
We’ve made several recipes from Minimalist Baker now, and every one has been a smashing success. When we’re searching for new recipes, finding one from here gives us great confidence that it’ll be a winner.
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Love the modifications, Doug! Thanks so much for your kind words and lovely review!
Vickysays
This is one of the most delicious meals I have eaten!!
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We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Vicky! Thanks so much for the lovely review!
JennyLsays
Outstanding recipe! I have a bottle of sriracha mayo so didn’t make that. We love cauliflower and now we love this new way of eating it! Served on toasted whole wheat bagels as they were a bit softer than baguettes. Worked well and have plenty for a second meal for two. Thanks for getting me out of my tofu comfort zone and embracing cauliflower in a sandwich!
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We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Jenny! Thanks for sharing! xo
Tiffanysays
Loved this recipe and how easy it was to make! Even my husband who doesn’t like cauliflower much enjoyed the banh mi. I didn’t have any radish, so I used pickled carrot only. I used the vegan mayo recipe to make the aioli. The proportions seem to be off. The amount of aioli and carrots leftover was a lot compared to the amount of cauliflower. Next time, I might double the cauliflower or halve the pickled vegetables and aioli. I’m adding this to my recipe book, and I definitely plan to make it again!
EBsays
I’d really love to make these this weekend for a little picnic situation since the weather will finally be decent in my part of the world. I’ve got quite a bit of frozen cauliflower I’d like to use. Could the cauliflower be cooked from frozen or would it need to thaw first?
Dana @ Minimalist Bakersays
Thanks for sharing! I’d say thaw first, pat dry, then cook!
Kaitlynsays
Make these all the time! Sometimes use yeast rolls if I don’t have bread. Thinking tonight I will make on tortillas as tacos! Such an awesome recipe
Christinesays
This is AMAZING! I will make this recipe again and again. In fact, I made it last night and I’m already craving it again today! :)
I doubled the recipe for a family of 4 (two hungry tweens/teens) and everyone loved it. My notes: Next time I would take down the chili in the marinade (too spicy for our taste, even though we generally all love spicy food). Also, because I was doubling the recipe I found it easier to skip the stovetop and just roast the cauliflower on a sheet pan for 35 minutes at 425 until crispy/caramelized (stirring often).
I cook every day and this is the best thing I’ve made in weeks. WINNER! Thank you!
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We’re so glad you and your family enjoyed it, Christine! Thanks so much for sharing!
Janissays
This was so delicious! And very easy! I have been making meatless meals a lot more lately and you have some of the very best recipes. Thank you!
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We’re so glad you’re enjoying our recipes, Janis! xo
Josinasays
So good! I love banh mi but was having trouble finding a satisfying non-meat version. To keep the vinegar flavor of the quick pickled radishes and carrots from being overwhelming, I squeezed out the excess liquid with a towel before adding them to the sandwich. Definitely adding this to my monthly recipe rotation :)
Laurasays
Recently moved and haven’t been able to find a good banh mi, so I tried this and HOLY MOLY it is absolutely amazing! Thank you, Dana!
Celine Lemiresays
My husband and his family are Vietnamese and we make banh mi a lot at home. We’re trying to eat less meat so we tried this recipe and IT’S AMAZING! We loved it!The only change I made is that I used lightly toasted Portuguese buns instead of baguette because it’s easier to chew.
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We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Celine! Thanks so much for the lovely review!
Sarasays
Absolutely delicious and easy and quick to make!!! Thank you, Minimalist Baker, for making amazing simple recipes that don’t compromise on flavor!
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Aw, thanks so much for your kind words and lovely review, Sara! xo
CarMarsays
I love this recipe! It’s such an unexpected combination of flavors, but everything works together beautifully. I did add red onions to the pickle and mixed greens to the sandwich. The creaminess of the vegan mayo is really nice. This will be a regular dish at our house. I need to see if I can find a good local GF bakery.
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Thanks so much for the lovely review. We are so glad you enjoyed it! Next time, would you mind leaving a rating with your review? It’s super helpful for us and other readers. Thanks so much! Xo
Lonasays
Wow, this recipe was spot on. So so delicious. It gets a little messy to eat in the baguette but so worth a lil mess. Yum yum yum! Thanks, Dana!
Melissasays
When pickling vegetables, is the sugar needed for proper fermentation? Or is it just for flavour?
Melissasays
Ps. I’m SO excited to try this!!!
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Just for flavor! Especially with quick pickling which doesn’t involve fermentation.
Megansays
This turned out amazing!! I feel like a real cook. I appreciate the addition to our dinner rotation. I am impressed.
Alexsays
This is easily one of my favourites on the blog. I’ve even substituted tofu for the cauliflower and it’s turned out great as well. To make it easier I just went straight to the oven with the cauliflower and marinade and didn’t make a difference in how it turned out. So satisfying and simple to make!
Dana @ Minimalist Bakersays
SO kind! Thanks, Alex!
Jamessays
Ok I never write comments for recipes but I HAD to on this. This sandwich is AMAZING. My wife and I make these at least once a week and have done so for the past several months. We have a traditional Banh mi place nearby. This is better. I went to a very popular vegan restaurant in Atalanta that has a sandwich with cauliflower as the meat. This is better. I wanted to send them this recipe lol. Make this, you won’t regret it. Absolutely amazing.
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Thanks so much for the lovely review, James! We’re so glad you enjoyed it!
Sherryn Adairsays
From one Oregon girl to another: where’d you get that baguette???????
Dana @ Minimalist Bakersays
haha New Seasons! New Cascadia makes a GF baguette!
Kiwisays
This has become a staple in our house. We have it every week. My BF (who’s an omni) even loves it. If you do everything the recipe recommend it’s the best.
Thank you!
Dana @ Minimalist Bakersays
Thanks for sharing, Kiwi!
Tracisays
This recipe is so full of flavor and sooooo amazing!!! I’m making it again this week.
Dana @ Minimalist Bakersays
Thanks for sharing, Traci!
Kami Leesays
Wow. So much flavor. So delicious!
Dana @ Minimalist Bakersays
Thanks for sharing, Kami!
Annsays
This was amazing. I used ciabatta rolls, crispy fried jalapeños, and goji curry dressing.
Danielsays
Delicious! We’ve made several times and keep coming back. I’ve found that a cast iron skillet really does make a (positive) difference for the texture of the cauliflower.
Ashleigh Welchsays
Amazing, wouldn’t change a thing!
Mollysays
Hi Dana!
I made these yesterday and served them with your crispy shallot spring rolls and I am IN LOVE. Banh Mi is my favorite food, and having recently moved from Austin to small town Texas where there are zero vietnamese restaurants, I’ve been going through banh mi withdrawal.
I usually have tofu or meat substitutes in my banh mi and I was a little skeptical of using cauliflower. But holy smokes…that was SO flavorful and SO satisfying. My carnivorous boyfriend was obsessed…We’ve been making your recipes regularly lately and he’s given up purchasing meat and dairy when we grocery shop altogether (thanks for helping me with that!).
Another killer recipe. Can’t wait to make your pot pies tomorrow!
Dana @ Minimalist Bakersays
SO wonderful! Thanks for sharing, Molly!
Cassandrasays
This was probably the best sandwich I have ever made. My husband and I loved it but I didn’t serve it to our kids due to the spiciness. I think next time I’ll just serve theirs with plain vegan mayo.
This will be a recurring dinner in our house for sure – thanks for sharing!
Dana @ Minimalist Bakersays
Yayyyyy!!! xo
Macysays
I was kind of skeptical about this recipe being good but it was AMAZING! The cauliflower tasted just like the real flavors of bahn mi. The extra sauce was great on the sandwich and this all reheated super well the next day. Definitely will be making again!
Dana @ Minimalist Bakersays
Whoop! Thanks, Macy!
Teshasays
What can I use in place of the the cauliflower besides tofu, I’m allergic to both?
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Hmm..maybe eggplant, broccoli, or mushrooms? It may be difficult to replace. Let us know if you do some experimenting.
Annasays
Delicious!! Didn’t want my sandwich to end!
Sejsays
Made this for the first time tonight using pretty much the same recipe except for substituting shoyu for tamari. It is FABULOUS! My husband has been working nonstop for the past couple of weeks to meet his deadline and the banh-mi brought a smile to his otherwise stressed face.
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Thanks so much for the lovely review and sharing your modifications, Sej. We are so glad you enjoyed this recipe! Next time, would you mind leaving a rating with your review? It’s super helpful for us and other readers. Thanks so much! xo
Emilysays
My meat eating, pork bahn-mi loving husband absolutely loved this recipe (as did I!). The flavors are spot on and really capture the essence of a classic bahn-mi. Will definitely make again and again!
Yvette Moralessays
This was the bee’s knees! Super easy to make and extremely flavorful. Everything was so well balanced between savory, sweet and spicy. My husband loved it also!
Brensays
I followed the recipe exactly and it was delicious: VERY SPICY, very flavourful. The next time I make it, I will keep all of the marinade aside and serve it as one of the condiments. But if you like it spicy, go for it. This recipe is a keeper!
Angie Msays
This was a quick cooking and really flavorful dish. Almost four months meat free and dishes this full of flavor really hit the spot!
Karlasays
This was delicious! I made this for a Sunday evening with my boyfriend. He is not vegetarian but I am. I always like to make us food that is very flavorful. This was great! He couldn’t stop eating! He wanted more. I loved it too. It was very spicy which I love but I know spice can be hard to handle for some people. But it was just great.
Logan Evangelistasays
These are amazing! I think my favorite of your recipes so far. Just as good, maybe better, than the Bahn Mi joint I have steps from my apartment. I added mushrooms in with the cauliflower. Yummmmmmm!!!!
Tomsays
Oh man. Made this recipe tonight. Flavor bomb! Thanks!
Sophiesays
Can’t forget the peanuts! ??
Yasmine Killeensays
Honestly this recipe is so good that I’ve started using the sauce for all sorts of other dishes. It has so much flavor and I was super impressed with how it turned out.
Madeline Downiesays
I never leave reviews, but I feel like I HAD to say something about this incredible recipe. It is to die for! The combination of flavors is overwhelmingly delicious, and although I often tweak recipes to my taste, there isn’t a single thing I would change in this sandwich. My husband and I love making this because there is always enough for us to have it for dinner two days in a row…score! We just refrigerate the leftover cauliflower and veggies and assemble them on french rolls again the next day! Mmmmmmmmm. Thank you so much for your creative, beautiful recipes. You’re my fave!
Alyson D.says
I have made this sandwich a few times and love it!! I decided to get creative and add the ingredients to a pizza instead of a sandwich. I leave off the radishes because I am not a fan. I added Miyoko’s vegan mozzarella cheese. It was seriously the best pizza I have ever had!!!!
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Yum!
Danielasays
Incredible! Every part of this complemented the other. It so so flavorful! I can’t wait to make it again.
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We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Daniela!
carissasays
I was looking for a non-tofu filled Banh Mi and here it is! I had to tone down the spiciness (and my kids won’t eat the cauliflower for some reason), but my husband and I thought it was delicious! My favorite part is pickling the veggies. This is one of those recipes that once you do the initial time investment, it’s pretty easy to whip it out again. Thanks for your awesome recipes!
melissadsays
Made this for the first time tonight. My family DEVOURED it and we will make it a regular meal for sure. Could have eaten 2 more helpings if we hadn’t run out of rolls! One of the best vegan dishes I’ve ever had.
Joshulynsays
I will be making this ASAP (as well as several other recipes). Crazy because although I have tried several of your recipes (love) and consider your site a go-to, I somehow never noticed the mention of your recipes being plant based. Guess I was blinded by the goodness? You are gonna make me go vegetarian again lol.
Michelle Ssays
Holy Wow!! So delicious! I’ve never had a Banh mi sandwich before but I know I will again & again! I didn’t have chili garlic sauce so I subbed with sriracha & minced garlic w/splash of vinegar & pinch of cane sugar. I highly suggest doubling the recipe and thennn some. As directed we topped with raw thinly sliced cukes, jalapenos & added in thin onion pieces. We absolutely loved it and wanted more! All the flavors go so well together, very impressed. My 12yr old son ate as is (even thanked me) and my younger daughter (somewhat picky) left off the pickled veggies, jalapenos & onions but enjoyed it with cukes and plain mayo. All the fam complimented me. Yayy :)
Dineen Speersays
Awesome, awesome, awesome ?? ?? ?? ?
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We’re glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Conorsays
We tried and loved this. Outstanding flavours. The sriracha mayo and the pickles are amazing. For those that like a little less bread or don’t like baguette, we also tried the same ingredients in a wrap. That worked great too.
Kat Marshallsays
This came out SO GOOD! It’s hard to find new vegan sandwich recipes that don’t call for tofu. I’m so glad I found this one. I was a little nervous about the chili sauce as I typically find your recipes to be a little too hot/spicy but it ended up being fantastic.
I ran out of soy sauce making this recipe but it worked well with 1/2 the amount in the recipe. I will definitely be making this again.
laurasays
this was so delicious! that marinade is to die for… lick the spoon good! i only ended up using half a head of cauliflower to get the 4 heaping cups, but there was enough marinade and aoli to double the amount of cauliflower. And it was so good I wish there were leftovers so next time I’d use a whole large head of cauliflower, and probably double the pickled vegetables because it would be nice to have extra on hand for other stuff throughout the week. I also used gochujang instead of sriracha, because i dont really like sriracha. Great recipe thanks!
Danasays
I want to make the Banh Mi sandwich but I don’t like mayonnaise. What can I use as a replacement?
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You really don’t taste the mayo in the aioli! I’m not sure what you could use in place of it, but if you experiment with it, let us know how it goes!
Ashleysays
This was so delicious, Dana, that I’m hatching a plan to have these all month and make them in large batches. Frozen, at some point, somehow. Before the saute? Really. These are incredibly satisfying and delicious. I never bought coconut aminos before but now they may be my go-to, so thanks for the tip. I couldn’t quite make them in 30 minutes this first time, but maybe with more planning and practice I could.
Karsynsays
This is one of the best things I’ve ever made! It tastes almost EXACTLY like my favorite vegan restaurant’s Bahn Mi but with cauliflower of course. I don’t react well to too much soy so I try to stay away from it when I can (except for my love for soy milk). It was seriously delicious and not too hard to make. I can’t wait to take it for lunch tomorrow!
Jennifersays
OFF THE CHAIN! Holy wow this sandwich rocked it! It’s my new fav recipe. My husband absolutely loves this sandwich and requests that it is in the weekly rotation. I made the recipe 3 times in the past week, and passed the recipe onto my friends with a note “you MUST make this for your next meal”. I followed the recipe to a T on the first batch, subbed tamari for the amino acid on the second, used radishes because I was out of carrots on the third. It’s all good, trust me, but my favorite is exactly like Dana suggests. I avoid oil so I did not not use the aioli on the second and third sandwich, still absolutely delish! Thank you, thank you, thank you Dana! I so very much appreciate your cooking style, quick but delicious. I no longer scour the web for vegan recipes (and I’ve been vegan for 6 years), I go straight to your website. Thanks again, you rock!
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Yay! We are so glad that you and your husband enjoyed this recipe, Jennifer! Thanks for sharing your changes!
Katiesays
We made this for dinner last night and it was so good! We added some cayenne to the cauliflower and also used a whole grain bread, but it’s all about the flavors from the sauce, pickled carrots, and the cauliflower! Yum! Also loved how easy it was to make the mayo. Vegan mayo can be hard to find or expensive.
My husband and I recommend your site to people looking to cut down animal products. We appreciate that you don’t use too many obscure ingredients and that every recipe we try always tastes amazing!
Jesssays
Hey Katie! They have vegan mayo at common stores like Safeway now! However, I had a lot of fun making the vegan mayo for this recipe at home. Cheers! – Jess
Edith-Nicolesays
This was super delicious and flavorful – the spice builds with each bite, in a good way. Thank you!
Elsa Tritzsays
Loving the information on this web site, you have done outstanding job on the posts.
Stephaniesays
I made this tonight for dinner and OMG!!!! The flavoring was AMAZING! You never cease to amaze me with your delicious recipes!!
Tiffany Brookssays
Hey great recipe- just had this for lunch today. Changed it a little by using normal mayo as I am not actually vegan and added some raw red skin peanuts to the cauliflower process. I am going to reuse the pickled veg liquid mix again as it crisped up my veg mix beautifully.
Meghansays
This was delicious! My husband who is a meat eater loved it too and went back for another half sandwich. I didn’t have coconut aminos so I subbed Bragg’s (not sure how different the flavors are, I’ll have to find coconut aminos before I make it next) and I subbed sweet chili sauce (which does have garlic in it) for the chili garlic sauce. I think next time I’ll skip sautéing the cauliflower and just toss in the sauce and roast in the oven. I’m definitely going to have to make this again later this week. Soooooo goooood!
Grayson Heylsays
This is delicious! Seriously. I was a bit nervous with 2 tbsp of garlic chili AND the spicy aioli but DANG it all came together so nicely. With the pickled carrots and radishes and cucumber, it cut the heat just enough that all the flavors came together great. I made the recipe for 2, but I’m pretty sure I’ll end up with 3-4 meals when all’s said and done. I’m so happy with how this recipe turned out – I will definitely be making it again soon!! I think next time I will thinly slice my carrots and radishes, I only have a one size grater, so my pickling turned them more into a paste versus clearly defined veggies. It still tasted fantastic, so I’m not complaining!!!
Kelly McDonaldsays
Made this last week, making it again it was that good! Your recipes are the few I make for friends without testing them first, I know it’ll come out great. Thanks!
Lauraleesays
This was fantastic! It received rave reviews from my husband, 10 year old and myself. We will definitely make this again.
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Woot woot!
My2boyz-n-mesays
O my!! Made for dinner tonight and DE-LISH!!! ????????♥️
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Whoop! We are so glad to hear that!
Elise Paveksays
I just finished eating this and am still speechless. I subbed the cauliflower for soy curls (trying to use what I had on hand!) and it was incredible. My husband requested that we add this to the weekly rotation and then insisted on cleaning the kitchen. Bless you!!
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Whoop whoop!
Ninasays
I made this for dinner and we all loved it, my 12 year old, 16 year old and her boyfriend. I made it exactly per the recipe, used commercial veganaise, purple cauliflower (super pretty, wish I had taken a picture but it was devoured so fast), and I slices the cucumber super thin with a regular veggie peeler. Thanks for posting. This one’s a keeper. Kids are asking for it in their lunches…I’m not that much of a morning person though.
Milansays
I made this recipe with my friend and it was SO AMAZING. I couldn’t believe that we had made it ourselves! The taste was amazing, the sandwich itself was so beautiful. I can’t wait to make this sandwich again.
Diannasays
I’ve always felt like I’ve been missing out on the Bahn Mi sandwich craze since I don’t eat pork – this was so delicious! Thank you from South Africa. I didn’t have vegan mayonnaise and so I whipped an avocado instead and it tasted fantastic. Thank you again! I use your recipes all the time, though never comment! ;)
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Whoop! We’re glad to hear that, Dianna!
Malllorysays
I just made it and its AH-MAZING. I was skeptical about how the pickles would turn out but they were perfectly tangy..juuust might add the jalapeños into the mix next time. The cauliflower was my favorite part though, juicy and packed a lot of flavor! I was out of vegan mayo and sriracha so I ended up subbing it with hummus and adding lots of chili flakes. YUM.
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Whoop! We’re glad you enjoyed it, Mallory!
Brittanysays
I made this but I am must not be able to handle so much sodium even issuing the aminos was a lot. This was very delicious but will not make again just because of sodium I will definitely use this idea to make other things. Thank you again for all your great recipes!
Dana @ Minimalist Bakersays
Thanks for sharing, Brittany!
Liliana Durhamsays
This was soooo good! Nice and spicy! I made extra of the pickled veggies and aioli to use on other sandwiches. I can never get my cauliflower really crispy, but it still came out great. Definitely a keeper
Dana @ Minimalist Bakersays
Thanks for sharing!!
Britneysays
ohhhhhmahhhgawwwdddd. I just made this for a late lunch and it was TOO DIE FOR! Seriously so, so good! Thank you for this recipe!
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Hah! We are so glad to hear that, Britney!
Jennifersays
I just made this for dinner tonight and we absolutely loved it! De-LICIOUS! My husband LOVES bahn mi sandwiches and now that we’re vegan he hasn’t had it recently. I saw this recipe in my inbox this morning and immediately went to TJ’s to get the goods. Everything was perfect on the recipe and made for a delicious dinner. Thank you again for filling our bellies with healthy eats!
Dana @ Minimalist Bakersays
Perfect!! Thanks for sharing, Jennifer! xo
Kristensays
This looks delicious…But…Is the sodium content accurate? That is a lot of sodium! The NY Times recipes has a lot but much much less! Just curious!
Dana @ Minimalist Bakersays
Hmm, it all has to do with the brands you use. Perhaps ours was calculated with higher sodium ones. You can always try cutting back those ingredients, like coconut aminos or tamari!
Amysays
Just so good! Made as written. We will be having this again!
Dana @ Minimalist Bakersays
Perfect!! Thanks for sharing, Amy!
Kellysays
Wow. Easy. Delish. Only sub I did was didn’t have radish so added thinly sliced red onion and some packaged Cole slaw mix to my pickled Veg. Will definitely make again.
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Smart! Thanks for sharing, Kelly!
Nikki Kostyunsays
So delicious and satisfying! I was literally dancing in my seat as I ate it. Thank you for making life that much better, all the time!
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Yay! We are glad to hear that, Nikki!
Hilarysays
Run don’t walk to the kitchen. This was incredible. My husband who is a picky newly vegan demolished his sandwich and went back for a second! My only issue was that there was not enough! Perfect combination of salty and sweet. So many flavors that compliment each other perfectly!
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Hah! We are glad he enjoyed this recipe, Hilary :D
Annalise Smithsays
Dana this was amazing! I had to use soy sauce instead of aminos, so I felt the sauce was a little wet but gladly put the rest in a jar to pour over rice and veggies later ;) SO tasty. My boyfriend frequently eats Viet pork rolls and smashed his baguette of this in under 5 minutes. Keep killing it!
Dana @ Minimalist Bakersays
Whoop! Thanks for sharing, Annalise!
Cassie Autumn Transays
As a Vietnamese woman myself, I approve! The cauliflower looks so flavorsome. I’d just eat it with the baguette any day! Cheers!
Dana @ Minimalist Bakersays
xoxo!
Tiffanysays
This looks great. I’ve been trying to cut back on how much meat I consume and your site has been such a great resource. And, as someone who is of Vietnamese descent, I really want to thank you for correctly spelling “banh.” :)
Dana @ Minimalist Bakersays
Ah! Of course. And thanks for sharing! Hope you enjoy this one, Tiffany! xo
Ruthiesays
Seems to be some preservatives in the chali garlic sauce ……. your thoughts ? Thank you
Dana @ Minimalist Bakersays
Hmm, if it bothers you I know there other brands of chili garlic sauce out there! Otherwise, I’m sure there are some recipes for a DIY option. In the meantime, I’ll add recipe testing for one to our list!
Ruth Cherrysays
Perfect! Such service and molte grazie!
online cake delivery in Chandigarhsays
If we want to make these recipe for 10 people, then How much “rice wine vinegar” should we use for it.
:-) I am very keen to make this recipe and I am still thinking that soon go to the kitchen and start making this method.
Dana @ Minimalist Bakersays
We have a function at the top of the recipe box to increase the serving size. Right now it’s at “2 sandwiches” so I’d suggest increasing that to 10 sandwiches. With that being said you likely don’t need *quite* that much vinegar, so just maybe try tripling it and going from there. Hope that helps!
Marinesays
Just did the recipe tonight and that was super yummmyyy !!! Thanks ?
Dana @ Minimalist Bakersays
Whoop! Thanks for sharing!
Nikasays
I want to make it so bad, it looks delicious! but the only ingredient that I’m missing is chilli garlic sauce….any sub??
Dana @ Minimalist Bakersays
Sriracha? Or you could chop up a spicy pepper and some garlic and make a paste?
Nikasays
This recipe is simply the best!! I can’t thank you enough for all the great recipes you have created! You have made our vegan lives so much easier!!:)
Dana @ Minimalist Bakersays
Lovely! Thanks for sharing, Nika!
Hannah Evelynsays
Yes Dana, this looks so good! The first banh mi I had was from a food truck in Scotland and the filling was pulled jackfruit, which was fab. I look forward to trying your version.
Melissa Boswell Munozsays
Hi! Where in Scotland was the food truck? I am going to Scotland thos month and would love to find this food truck if I am going to be nearby :). Thank you
Melissa
Samanthasays
YAS QUEEN!!! Can not wait to make this!
Dana @ Minimalist Bakersays
DO IT. And report back :D
Hollysays
I WANT THIS IN MY FACE HOLE RIGHT NOW
ALSO, LOVE YOU!!!!!
Dana @ Minimalist Bakersays
Ha! Thanks, friend! Miss you. xoxo
Jayson Tansays
When I scroll through this, I think that I MUST try it as during the trip in Vietnam, I have three to four Banh Mi in total❤️❤️ and I missed that flavor back in Malaysia?, thanks for sharing this?