When it comes to the perfect balance of bold flavors and satisfying textures, the banh mi sandwich is in a league of its own. This Vietnamese sandwich classic combines savory meat, crisp pickled vegetables, fresh herbs, and a crusty baguette slathered with creamy mayonnaise. While the traditional version often features pork or beef, I love giving it a wild game twist by using slow-cooked venison roast.
This banh mi recipe is an easy way to use venison in a fresh and exciting way. The slow cooker does most of the work, making it a great option for busy parents looking for simple but delicious ways to feed their families. The venison becomes incredibly tender as it simmers in a fragrant blend of hoisin sauce, fish sauce, garlic, and warming spices like star anise and cinnamon. Layer it onto a crisp baguette with quick-pickled carrots and radishes, fresh cilantro, and a hint of heat from jalapeños, and you’ve got a sandwich that delivers on every level.
Why You'll Love This Banh Mi Sandwich Recipe
Effortless Prep: The slow cooker makes the venison ultra-tender without any babysitting.
Great for Meal Prep: Cook the meat ahead of time and refrigerate for up to three days.
Bold, Fresh Flavors: Sweet, salty, tangy, and spicy elements come together beautifully.
Customizable: Adjust the heat, swap out toppings, or serve it deconstructed for picky eaters.
Tips For Making The Best Banh Mi Sandwich
Pickle the Veggies in Advance – For the best flavor, let the carrots, radishes, and onions sit in their brine for at least an hour or overnight. This step gives the sandwich its signature tangy crunch.
Choose the Right Bread – A light and airy French baguette with a crisp crust is key. If your baguette is too dense, toast it briefly to enhance the texture.
Don’t Skip the Liquid Aminos – A few dashes of liquid aminos on the mayo add an extra depth of umami that takes this sandwich to the next level.
Serve Immediately – Once assembled, enjoy your Vietnamese sandwich right away to maintain the perfect balance of crisp, juicy, and creamy textures.
How to Make Banh Mi
1. Prepare the Venison: In a slow cooker, combine the venison roast, hoisin sauce, fish sauce, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, water, star anise, cinnamon, cloves, fennel, and salt. Set to high and cook for 6 to 8 hours.
2. Shred the Meat: Once tender, shred the venison directly in the cooking liquid so it soaks up all the juices. If making ahead, refrigerate for up to three days and reheat before serving.
3. Pickle the Vegetables: In a bowl, toss the carrots, radishes, and onion with 1 teaspoon salt. Let sit for 10 minutes, then rinse and squeeze out the liquid. Dissolve 2 tablespoons of salt and sugar in 1 cup warm water and 1 cup vinegar. Add the vegetables, stir, and let sit for at least 1 hour or overnight.
4. Assemble the Sandwiches: Spread mayonnaise on each side of the baguette. Add a few dashes of liquid aminos. Pile on the shredded venison, then top with pickled vegetables, cucumber slices, and fresh cilantro. For extra heat, add sliced jalapeños.
5. Serve Immediately and enjoy every flavorful bite!
Tested And Approved Banh Mi Recipe
Both my wife and our daughter absolutely loved this Vietnamese sandwich. Just like all of recipes on this food blog, they've all been tested and approved by them - my two biggest critics.
This banh mi sandwich recipe is a fantastic way to bring bold Vietnamese flavors to your dinner table with a wild game twist. It’s a meal that’s just as fun to eat as it is to make. Whether you’re looking for an easy weeknight dinner or a unique way to use venison, this sandwich is a must-try.
Give this Vietnamese sandwich recipe a shot, and let me know how it turns out in the comments below!
More Sandwich Recipes
I hope this Banh Mi Vietnamese Sandwich Recipe becomes a new favorite for you. If you are looking for more wild game meal inspiration, check out more of our family favorite sandwich recipes right here.
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DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE
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Banh Mi Recipe (Vietnamese Sandwich)
Ingredients
Venison Ingredients
- 1 venison roast (about 2 pounds)
- 3 Tablespoons hoisen sauce
- 2 Tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 Tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 Tablespoon sesame oil
- ½ cup water
- 1 star anise
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon fennel
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Sandwich Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- liquid aminos
- 1 large French baguette, sliced lengthwise and divided for 4 sandwiches
- 6 baby carrots, thinly sliced into matchsticks
- 3 radish, thinly sliced
- 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 cup distilled white vinegar
- 2 Tablespoon each salt & sugar
- ½ cucumber, sliced
- 10 sprigs fresh cilantro
- 1 jalapeno, thinly sliced (optional)
Instructions
- In a slow cooker, add the venison roast, hoisen sauce, fish sauce, brown sugar, ginger, minced garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, water, star anise, cinnamon, ground cloves, fennel, and salt and set on "high" setting for 6 to 8 hours.
- When the time is up, it should be fall-apart tender. Shred the meat directly in the liquid so the meat absorbs the juices. (If you want to prepare the meat ahead of time, you can refrigerate the shredded cooked meat up to 3 days, then reheat in a skillet over medium heat until it's heated through completely before serving).
- Add carrots, radish, and onion to bowl and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt, toss well, and let sit for 10 minutes. Rinse salt off with a quick rinse of water in sink and squeeze out all liquid. Now dissolve 2 Tablespoons sugar and salt in a bowl of 1 cup warm water and 1 cup distilled white vinegar. Add the carrots, radish, and onion, and mix well and let sit for at least 1 hour or overnight, covered, in the refrigerator.
- To assemble the sandwiches, evenly spread the mayonnaise on each side of the baguette. Add a few dashes of Liquid Aminos on top of the mayonnaise. Next add a generous helping of shredded meat with all those amazing juices. Top with pickled carrots, radish, and onion, sliced cucumber, and fresh cilantro. (Add optional sliced jalapenos if you want it spicy). Serve immediately.
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