Description
Smash Banh Mi Tacos are a delicious fusion of Vietnamese flavors and Mexican street food, featuring seasoned ground pork patties served on warm tortillas with tangy pickled vegetables, spicy mayo, fresh cilantro, and jalapeños. This quick and easy recipe blends the savory, sweet, and spicy elements for a vibrant and satisfying meal perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Meat Patties
- 1 pound ground pork or ground chicken
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil
- 8 small flour or corn tortillas
For the Pickled Vegetables
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced cucumber
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Toppings
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon sriracha (or to taste)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 small jalapeño, thinly sliced
- Lime wedges for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Meat Mixture: In a bowl, combine the ground pork, soy sauce, fish sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, and grated fresh ginger. Mix well and form the mixture into 8 loose meatballs.
- Pickle the Vegetables: In a small bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, sugar, and salt until the sugar dissolves. Add shredded carrots and sliced cucumbers and let them marinate while you cook the meat patties.
- Cook the Meat Patties: Heat the neutral oil in a skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Place each meatball onto the hot surface and use a spatula to smash them flat. Cook for 2–3 minutes on each side, or until browned and fully cooked through.
- Make the Spicy Mayo: While the meat cooks, combine mayonnaise and sriracha in a small bowl. Mix well to create a creamy and spicy sauce.
- Warm the Tortillas: Heat the tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat or briefly warm them in the microwave until pliable and warm.
- Assemble the Tacos: Spread a layer of spicy mayo on each warmed tortilla. Top with a smashed meat patty, a spoonful of pickled vegetables, chopped cilantro, and jalapeño slices.
- Serve: Serve the Smash Banh Mi Tacos immediately with lime wedges on the side for squeezing over the tacos to add brightness and acidity.
Notes
- You can substitute the pork with plant-based ground meat for a vegetarian version.
- Add sliced radish or daikon for extra crunch and authenticity.
- These tacos are best served fresh to enjoy the perfect texture of crispy meat and crunchy pickled vegetables.
