Vegan Tofu Banh Mi Sandwich Recipe - Choosing Chia (2024)

This Tofu Banh Mi Sandwich is a take on the Vietnamese classic and is loaded with marinated tofu, herbs and homemade picked veggies for a sandwich filled with flavour!

Vegan Tofu Banh Mi Sandwich Recipe - Choosing Chia (1)

I’m not generally a huge sandwich person, but if there’s one sandwich I can get behind, it’s this tofu banh mi!

I first tried a banh mi sandwich on a trip to Vietnam a few years ago, and I instantly fell in love. Vietnamese food is bursting with vibrant fresh flavours, and the banh mi sandwich is no exception!

So first let’s cover some basics here.

What exactly is a Banh Mi Sandwich?

Banh mi is a Vietnamese sandwich made with a baguette type of bread and traditionally filled with meat, pork pate, pickled vegetables and mayonnaise. Fun Fact, the term “banh mi” refers to “baguette in Vietnamese!

For today’s recipe, we’re doing a vegan take on the classic and using some marinated tofu in place of the meat, and a vegan mayonnaise.

  • Vegan Tofu Banh Mi Sandwich Recipe - Choosing Chia (2)
  • Vegan Tofu Banh Mi Sandwich Recipe - Choosing Chia (3)

Vegan Banh Mi Ingredients

  • Tofu: for this vegan Banh Mi sandwich we’re using tofu as a protein instead of meat.
  • Tofu marinade: the tofu gets marinated to infuse it with flavour. This is the most important step for a delicious Vegan Banh Mi sandwich!
  • Pickled veggies: for this recipe, I like to pickle carrots and daikon (a type of radish), but you can pickle any type of veggies you like.
  • Bread: you can use a baguette or a soft baguette depending on the texture you like
  • Cucumber: fresh cucumber to add to the sandwich.
  • Cilantro: for some freshness. If you don’t like cilantro you can leave this out.
  • Green onions: another optional ingredient but helps add more flavour.
  • Vegan mayonnaise: you can use any brand you like.

How to Make a Banh Mi Sandwich

Banh mi (like most sandwiches) are pretty easy to make, but will require a bit of prep work. For starters, you’re going to want to marinade the tofu and pickle the veggies overnight for best results. Though if you’re short on time, at least one hour should do .

Once the ingredients are prepared, it’s as simple as cooking up the tofu and then assembling the sandwich.

Many traditional banh mi recipes will use a soft variety of baguette, but I love making this sandwich with a crusty Italian baguette.

What is banh mi sauce made of?

Banh mi sauce is made from a mix of mayonnaise, hoisin sauce and sriracha. You can make a mixed sauce out of these or just add them separately spread onto your Vegan Banh Mi.

Storing Your Tofu Sandwich

If you want to prep this sandwich the day before eating it so you can have it ready to go for lunch, just prepare the sandwich and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or place it in a ziplock bag in the fridge.

If you prefer to assemble the sandwich fresh, (which I recommend if you are able to) store all the sandwich ingredients separately in the fridge and the bread stored on the counter. Then assemble to sandwich right before eating.

Banh Mi Sandwich Recipe FAQ

What is traditionally in banh mi?

Traditionally a banh mi is made with pork paté, ham and mayonnaise. There are many different variations of Banh Mi sandwiches and you can find some made with different ingredients like pork sausage or even chicken. Since this is a recipe for a vegetarian and vegan-friendly Banh Mi Sandwich, we’re using tofu which is equally as delicious!

How many calories are in a tofu banh mi?

One Tofu Banh Mi Sandwich has approximately 535 calories. Keep in mind that this estimate might change depending on the type of bread you use or any additional ingredients you might add to your sandwich.

A few notes on Vegan Banh Mi

This tofu banh mi sandwich starts by marinading some lemongrass tofu. If you can’t find fresh lemongrass, you can just leave out this ingredient entirely.

The tofu is best marinaded overnight, so I’d definitely recommend doing so if you have the time. But if you’re a bit pressed on time, just marinade it for at least an hour. Same goes for the picked veggies. The longer you let them soak the more “pickled” they’ll get!

I use a mix of daikon and carrots for the pickled veggies, but you also use some radishes, red onion or even some purple cabbage to mix things up!

If you love this make sure to check out this banh mi bowl with sticky tofu for a fun twist on this classic recipe!

Vegan Tofu Banh Mi Sandwich Recipe - Choosing Chia (4)

More Vietnamese-inspired recipes to try

  • Vietnamese Fresh Spring Rolls
  • Vegan Pho
  • Vietnamese Noodle Bowls with Lemongrass Tofu

Print

Vegan Tofu Banh Mi Sandwich Recipe - Choosing Chia (5)

Vegan Banh Mi Sandwich

5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star5 from 5 reviews

  • Author: Jess
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 sandwiches 1x
  • Category: Main
  • Method: Cook
  • Cuisine: Vietnamese
Print Recipe

Description

This is a vegan take on the classic Vietnamese sandwich. It’s made with marinated tofu, pickled veggies and crusty baguette!

Ingredients

UnitsScale

Tofu

  • 1/4 cup tamari
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • 2 tbsp coconut sugar
  • 2 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 garlic clove, chopped
  • 1 1-inch cube ginger, chopped
  • 1 lemongrass stalk, roughly chopped
  • 1/2 tsp crushed red chilli flakes

Picked veggies

  • 1/2 cup white vinegar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 3 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup carrots, cut into sticks or peeled
  • 1/2 cup daikon, cut into sticks or peeled

Other

  • 1 baguette
  • 1/4 cucumber, sliced
  • cilantro
  • green onions
  • vegan mayonnaise
  • hoisin sauce
  • sriracha (optional)

Instructions

  1. Make the tofu: Mix the marinade together and place the tofu in the marinade. Let sit overnightor at least 1 hour before baking. Bake tofu at 420 degrees for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
  2. Make the pickled veggies: Mix the vinegar, water, sugar and salt together in a bowl. Cut the carrots and daikons into thin sticks and place in the pickling mixture overnight or for at least an hour.
  3. Build your banhmi:Cut a piece of thebaguette and spread some vegan mayonnaise and hoisin sauce onto the bread. Fill with the marinated tofu, pickled veggies, sliced cucumber, green onions and cilantro. Optionally add some sriracha for spice!

Notes

Feel free to add in any veggies or sauces you like to this sandwich!

If you like your bread warm, gently head the banh mi in a panini press for 1-2 minutes.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 sandwich
  • Calories: 535
  • Sugar: 20g
  • Fat: 20g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Carbohydrates: 72g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 15g

If you tried thisTofu Banh Mi Sandwichor any other recipe on the blog let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment/rating below! Be sure to follow along onPinterest,InstagramandFacebookfor even more deliciousness!

This post contains affiliate links which means I will make a small commission if you purchase through those links. I only recommend products that I know, trust and love!

Vegan Tofu Banh Mi Sandwich Recipe - Choosing Chia (2024)

FAQs

How many calories are in a tofu banh mi sandwich? ›

One Tofu Banh Mi Sandwich has approximately 535 calories.

What is a tofu sandwich made of? ›

Cook the tofu on both sides until browned. Season tofu with salt and pepper. Assemble sandwich using the bread, margarine, mayonnaise, tofu, and veggies.

What to eat tofu with? ›

Tofu is a versatile plant-based protein source that can be eaten with grains (rice, quinoa, barley, and more), pasta, veggies (stir fry, air fried, roasted, and more), on top of salads, and in buddha bowls.

Can you blend firm tofu? ›

Extra Firm Tofu is most commonly baked or crumbled for plant-based meat or egg substitutes. However, it can also be blended to give vegan cheese spreads a light and airy texture.

Is tofu banh mi healthy? ›

A traditional Vietnamese banh mi is typically made with pork, but this vegetarian makeover uses crispy tofu, vegetables and zesty sriracha mayonnaise. Tofu, an excellent source of protein, iron and calcium, will keep up your energy and bone health, and it's a great, affordable option for your meatless Mondays.

Is a banh mi sandwich healthy? ›

Banh Mi is quite healthy. The typical Banh Mi has just under 600 calories. The protein is the nutritional star of the dish coming in at 30 grams. The 19 grams of fat are still acceptable.

What's the difference between tofu and vegan tofu? ›

Is All Tofu Vegan? Although tofu in general is completely vegan friendly, we always recommend checking the ingredients list on the tofu you have. Sometimes, the odd brand of tofu may use a different method to create their tofu, some of which include animal byproducts in their process.

What's the difference between soy and tofu? ›

Tofu is made from the whole bean and has a higher nutritional value than soya protein extract and no toxins. Soya is well researched as a nutritional component that, as we have discovered, has been a part of the diets of millions of adults and children in Asia for centuries.

Can I use extra firm tofu instead of silken tofu? ›

Both silken and regular tofu can be found in soft, medium, firm, and extra-firm consistencies. They are made with the same ingredients, but they are processed slightly differently and are not interchangeable in a recipe.

What not to mix with tofu? ›

I love tofu and spinach, but she told me not to mix the two because calcium in tofu will react to oxalate in the spinach and promotes the formation of kidney stones.

Can I eat tofu everyday? ›

Similarly, the American Cancer Society sees no dangers from eating soy. "For the vast majority of people, it should be reasonable to incorporate tofu in their daily diet without any issues," Sun said.

Is tofu good for your tummy? ›

Soy has actually been found to increase the good bacteria in the gut, leading to overall better gut health when consumed. This might help explain why soy foods have been associated with healthier outcomes as we are learning more and more about how connected a healthy gut is to an overall healthy body.

What is the healthiest way to eat tofu? ›

Healthier - For starters, broiling tofu is a healthier method of cooking than frying, and it requires less oil to create crispier cubes. Easy - It's also really easy to make.

How to make tofu taste good? ›

Press tofu and cube it. Coat it in garlic, black pepper, salt (plus more of your favourite seasonings), liquid aminos and some olive oil. Then mix it into some cornstarch and toss it all together, then bake for about 20 minutes. Cornstarch also helps to draw out excess moisture so it really gets the tofu crispy.

Can we eat tofu with bananas? ›

If you're worried about tofu not complementing the rest of the dessert – don't worry! In this recipe, cooked banana works as a setting agent. The delicious and strong banana and cocoa-powder neutralizes the tofu taste, yet the tofu still delivers a rich and creamy texture.

How many calories are in a veggie banh mi? ›

Lee's Sandwiches
Nutrition Facts
For a Serving Size of 1 Serving (100g)
How many calories are in Vegetarian Banh Mi? Amount of calories in Vegetarian Banh Mi: Calories 560Calories from Fat 36 (6.4%)
% Daily Value *
How much fat is in Vegetarian Banh Mi? Amount of fat in Vegetarian Banh Mi: Total Fat 4g-
14 more rows

How many calories are in a whole banh mi? ›

1 serving of banh mi (vietnamese sandwich) contains 580 Calories. The macronutrient breakdown is 50% carbs, 30% fat, and 21% protein. This is a good source of protein (54% of your Daily Value).

How many calories in a tofu baguette? ›

Nutritional Summary:

There are 525 calories in 1 banh mi (260 g) of Roll'd Tofu Banh Mi Viet Baguette. Calorie Breakdown: 29% fat, 53% carbs, 18% prot.

How many calories are in Vietnamese tofu pho? ›

Generic Vietnamese Tofu Pho (1 serving) contains 43g total carbs, 39g net carbs, 12g fat, 20g protein, and 380 calories.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Rev. Leonie Wyman

Last Updated:

Views: 6099

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (59 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Rev. Leonie Wyman

Birthday: 1993-07-01

Address: Suite 763 6272 Lang Bypass, New Xochitlport, VT 72704-3308

Phone: +22014484519944

Job: Banking Officer

Hobby: Sailing, Gaming, Basketball, Calligraphy, Mycology, Astronomy, Juggling

Introduction: My name is Rev. Leonie Wyman, I am a colorful, tasty, splendid, fair, witty, gorgeous, splendid person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.