Sunday Slow Cooker Banh Mi Pork
Banh Mi are delicious sweet and spicy Vietnamese sandwiches packed with flavor. They typically come packed in a French baguette with savory pork, pickled veggies, and a creamy mayonnaise based spicy spread. They are one of my favorite sandwiches ever. So when a craving hit this week, I set out to recreate a banh mi style meal at home using the slow cooker. The meat is cooked with jalapeno, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sugar to give it tons of flavor. This gives it a deep, rich, and seriously delicious flavor. From there, you can serve it up however you like. I went for a banh mi style taco with some quick home pickled carrots and jalapenos and a squirt of Sriracha. So so good.
Banh Mi are delicious sweet and spicy Vietnamese sandwiches packed with flavor. They typically come packed in a French baguette with savory pork, pickled veggies, and a creamy mayonnaise based spicy spread. They are one of my favorite sandwiches ever. So when a craving hit this week, I set out to recreate a banh mi style meal at home using the slow cooker. The meat is cooked with jalapeno, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sugar to give it tons of flavor. This gives it a deep, rich, and seriously delicious flavor. From there, you can serve it up however you like. I went for a banh mi style taco with some quick home pickled carrots and jalapenos and a squirt of Sriracha. So so good.
- Carbohydrate 29.4252128294727 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Fat 0.119920116846581 g
- Fiber 0.932134160387133 g
- Protein 2.63837927335292 g
- Saturated Fat 0.0200049516052283 g
- Serving Size 1 1 serving (83g)
- Sodium 1065.3946646233 mg
- Sugar 28.4930786690855 g
- Trans Fat 0.0356670454695679 g
- Calories 125 calories
Step-by-step
- Add the pork to the slow cooker.
- Mix together the jalapeno, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar.
- Pour over the pork.
- Cook on low for 4 hours.
- Serve with carrots, cucumbers, and cilantro.
My Favorite Sunday Slow Cooker Meal: Banh Mi Pork Tacos
Sundays are my favorite day of the week. It's the one day I can truly relax and spend time in the kitchen without the rush of a busy weekday schedule. This past Sunday, I had a serious craving for Banh Mi. Those incredible Vietnamese sandwiches, bursting with flavor and texture – the tender pork, the bright pickled vegetables, the creamy, spicy spread... it’s a culinary symphony in my book! However, I didn't have the time (or the desire!) to make a full Banh Mi sandwich, so I decided to adapt the flavors into something a little easier and quicker. Enter: my slow cooker!
The beauty of the slow cooker is its simplicity. You toss in your ingredients, let it do its magic for a few hours, and voila! A delicious, flavorful meal is ready to be enjoyed. For my Banh Mi-inspired dish, I used a lean pork tenderloin, which is incredibly versatile and lends itself well to absorbing all the incredible flavors. The combination of brown sugar, rice vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and a touch of heat from the jalapeno creates a savory-sweet glaze that’s utterly irresistible. It's the perfect balance of sweet, savory, spicy, and tangy – a true taste explosion in every bite!
I’ve always loved experimenting in the kitchen, adapting recipes and putting my own spin on things. This Banh Mi adaptation is a perfect example. Instead of serving the slow-cooked pork in a traditional baguette, I opted for tacos – small, soft corn tortillas – offering a fun, manageable way to enjoy all those flavors. It’s a simple change, but it significantly cuts down on prep time without compromising on taste. I also added some quick-pickled carrots and jalapenos for that authentic Banh Mi crunch and zing.
This recipe isn’t just about the delicious result; it’s about the process. The slow cooker allows me to focus on other things while the meal practically cooks itself. It’s a great way to spend a relaxing Sunday afternoon, maybe with a good book or a captivating movie. The aroma that fills the house as the pork simmers is intoxicating and truly sets the mood for a wonderful Sunday evening.
What I love most about this recipe is its adaptability. You can adjust the level of spice to your liking, adding more or less jalapeno depending on your preference. The same goes for the sweet and savory elements – feel free to experiment with the amount of sugar or soy sauce to tailor it to your taste buds. You can also serve it in different ways. Perhaps you prefer the traditional baguette route? Or maybe you’ll try it as a bowl, over rice or quinoa. The possibilities are endless!
So, next Sunday, treat yourself to the comfort and deliciousness of this slow-cooked Banh Mi pork. It’s a simple, satisfying meal that’s perfect for a relaxing day at home. It’s a recipe that has become a staple in my Sunday cooking routine, and I hope it finds its way into yours as well.
Serving Suggestions: Besides tacos and traditional banh mi, try serving the pork with rice noodles, in lettuce wraps, or even on top of a bed of greens for a lighter meal.
Make it Ahead: The pork can be cooked a day or two ahead of time, making it even easier for a busy weeknight dinner. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Variations:
- Add some vegetables: Include sliced onions or bell peppers to the slow cooker with the pork for added flavor and texture.
- Spice it up: Add a few slices of serrano peppers or a dash of red pepper flakes for extra heat.
- Make it sweeter: Increase the amount of brown sugar for a more pronounced sweetness.
- Use different protein: This recipe works well with chicken thighs or even beef chuck roast.
Happy cooking!
