Tofu Banh Mi

Ginny McMeans

Ginny McMeans

Published:

February 12, 2018

Last Modified:

November 27, 2023

Vegan Banh Mi Sandwich is a fantastic recipe that you just can’t miss making. Easy baked spicy tofu stars with a sweet and spicy sauce and veggies.

Vegan Banh Mi Sandwich is photographed as Two Long Sub Rolls laying on their back with layers of golden baked tofu with julienned carrots and parsnips and jalepenos.

You’ve never had tofu this good before! Well, okay maybe you have. Tofu can be pretty darn good but this may be the best tofu you’ve ever had. It’s the best I’ve ever had. It’s marinated in a spicy sauce and baked to a slightly chewy consistency.

I’ve been kicking around the idea of making Banh Mi’s for quite some time now and I decided it has got to be now. A year-round delicacy that is never too heavy and always satisfying.

What is a Bahn Mi Sandwich!

  • It’s a Vietnamese sandwich on a baguette with a variety of different ingredients. It’s really the bread like we would call a hoagie or submarine sandwich.
  • Typically it has pickled vegetables such as carrots and daikon.
  • Cucumber slices are added and can also be pickled.
  • There is pork sausage but you know I’m going to improve on that!
  • Often it has jalapeño slices and fresh cilantro.
  • This can be a mix of tamari and some spices and usually a type of mayonnaise for the spread.

Now, I will show you some help for veganizing Bahn Mi sandwiches.

Vegan Banh Mi Sandwich is photographed as Overhead photo of open French Roll opened and toasted and surrounded by bowls of ingredients. Pickled carrots and parsnips, sliced jalapenos and bakes tofu triangles.

How Do You Make a Vegan Bahn Mi Sandwich?

  • Everything only gets better.
  • You start with quick and mild pickled carrots and parsnip strips. No radishes here, parsnips instead.
  • Then a beautiful spicy marinade covers triangles of tofu that will be baked to a mildly chewy texture.
  • Now, the sauce! Homemade sweet and spicy mayonnaise is to be slathered on each side of the toasted French bread. Isn’t this sounding good!?
  • The thin rounds of jalapeño peppers are also added.
  • I know a lot of people just don’t like cilantro so I have also switched that out for beautiful flat-leaf parsley.
  • I’m telling you that this sandwich is good!

It was so lovely to have such a delicious sandwich waiting for me two days in a row.

Are you a sandwich fiend like I am? You’ve probably already tried Loaded Chickpea Salad Sandwich. It’s so simple to make and easy to eat. Well, this one is simple too. There are a few steps but it’s not hard at all.

Vegan Banh Mi Sandwich is photographed as Front view of two French rolls stuffed with layers of golden tofu, orange & white julienned veggies and bright green slices of jalapenos.


You can even do it in steps. Like the spread one day and the pickled veggies on another. Then you have all the makings for some great sandwiches.

Yes! two big long vegan Banh Mi sandwiches.

Front view of two French rolls stuffed with layers of golden tofu, orange & white julienned veggies and bright green slices of jalapenos.

Vegan Banh Mi Sandwich

Ginny McMeans
5 from 5 votes
Vegan Banh Mi Sandwich is a fantastic spicy recipe that you just can’t miss making
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 42 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 12 minutes
Servings 2 Sandwiches

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Ingredients
  

Sweet and Spicy Sauce:

  • 1 cup cashews
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons Sriracha
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Tofu and it’s Marinade:

  • 6 ounces extra firm tofu – 1/2 block, pressed for about
  • 4 tablespoons tamari
  • 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon Sriracha
  • 3 teaspoon avocado oil

Pickeld Slaw:

  • 1/2 cup carrots – julienned or slice into thin sticks
  • 1/2 cup parsnip – julienned or slice into thin sticks
  • 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar

The Rest:

  • 2 French Rolls
  • 1/4 cup flat leaf parsley – fresh
  • 1/8 cup jalapeño pepper – 1 pepper, sliced thin with seeds removed

Instructions
 

Sweet and Spicy Sauce:

  • Cover the cashews with water and let soak for at least 30 minutes.
  • While the cashews are soaking press the tofu for about 20 minutes make the tofu marinade.
  • While the tofu is being pressed make the marinade.  n a small bowl add the tamari, rice wine vinegar, maple syrup, Sriracha and oil.  Mix well.
  • Take the pressed tofu and lay on it’s side.  Cut into thirds so that there are 3 slabs.  Cut those in half so that there are 6 squares.  Now cut the into triangles so that there are 12 pieces.
  • Pour the marinade into a small flat casserole.  Pour the marinade over the tofu and let marinade at least 30 minutes.
  • Drain the cashews and add to a food processor.
  • To the food processor add the water. hoisin sauce, lemon juice, Sriracha, garlic powder, onion powder and sea salt.  Process until smooth.
  • Place the julienned veggies in a small bowl and pour over the vinegar.  Toss and let set for 15 minutes.
  • Cut the French rolls lengthwise but not all the way through.  Open and lay on a baking sheet.  broil for a minute or so until the bread is toasted.  Don’t walk away.  They will burn very quickly.
  • Remove the tofu from the marinade and lay on a parchment paper covered baking sheet.  Bake at 350°F for 40 minutes.
  • Spread the sweet and spicy sauce thickly on each side of the toasted bread.
  • Lay half of the tofu on each roll.  
  • Liberally lay the pickled carrot/parsnip veggies on the tofu.
  • Lay a few jalapeño pepper rounds on top of the pickled slices.
  • Pinch off some parsley leaves and sprinkle over the peppers.
  • Close up the roll and take a big bite!

Notes

You can keep in the refrigerator overnight.  Heat for about 15 to 30 seconds in the microwave when ready to eat or bake at 350°F for 5 minutes.
 

Nutrition

Serving:1Sandwich, Calories:539kcal, Carbohydrates:92g, Protein:18g, Fat:30g, Saturated Fat:4g, Sodium:620mg, Potassium:857mg, Fiber:6g, Sugar:14g, Vitamin A:5980IU, Vitamin C:31.2mg, Calcium:108mg, Iron:16.7mg

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5 responses to “Tofu Banh Mi”

5 from 5 votes (1 rating without comment)

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Recipe Rating




  1. Jill Avatar

    5 stars
    Would you believe I have never made tofu at home before? This sandwich looks and sounds delicious so I think I may have to try it!

  2. Kristina @ Love & Zest Avatar

    I love trying new sandwiches! This one I must make soon!

  3. Cynthia | What A Girl Eats Avatar

    5 stars
    Wow! That looks so tasty! Who’d miss the meat?

  4. Amy Nash Avatar

    5 stars
    I love a bahn mi sandwich and this one looks so good with that spicy sauce! And I really like tofu but don’t usually think to buy it or make anything with it. This sounds perfect!

  5. Gabe Avatar
    Gabe

    5 stars
    Very tasty, thanks! Made this with radishes instead of parsnips and vegan mayo instead of cashew cream (no blender).

Ginny McMeans

Ginny McMeans

Hi, my name is Ginny and it is fantastic that you have come to visit and see my recipes. I have a positive attitude and can’t seem to be in nature enough. My North American bird count is 678 and I’m always watching for mammals and insects too. My head is stuffed full of recipes that I want to create and life is just to dang short. The recipes feature healthy and delicious vegan food that you can enjoy now or freeze for future meals.

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