Grilled Pineapple Bánh Mì
This Grilled Pineapple Bánh Mì is a vibrant, Vietnamese-inspired plant-based sandwich layered with sweet-salty grilled pineapple, tangy pickled vegetables, spicy peanut-lime mayo, and fresh herbs—all packed into a crusty baguette. It’s juicy, crunchy, and bursting with summer flavors. Great for grilling and to be honest it's insanely delicious!!
Equipment
- Grill, grill pan, or cast iron skillet
- Small pot or microwave-safe bowl
Ingredients
For the Sandwich
- 1 French baguette, cut into 3 equal pieces
- 1 pineapple
- Salt
- Olive or avocado oil, for grill, griddle or pan
- 1 jalapeño, very thinly sliced
- Fresh cilantro leaves, for topping
Quick Pickled Carrots & Cucumbers
- ½ cup shredded carrots
- ⅓ cup persian cucumber, thinly sliced (about 1)
- ½ cup rice vinegar
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
Peanut-Lime Mayo
- ⅓ cup vegan mayo
- 1 tbsp lime juice (about 1 lime)
- 2 tsp sriracha
- 2 tbsp chopped peanuts
- 2 dashes ground cinnamon
- 2 dashes ground cardamom
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Before You Start: If your baguette isn’t already crispy on the outside, preheat your oven (or toaster oven) to 400°F. You’ll bake it briefly later to get that ideal crusty exterior before grilling.
- Quick Pickle the Veggies: In a small pot or microwave-safe bowl, combine ½ cup rice vinegar, ¼ cup water, and 2 tbsp sugar. Heat just until the sugar dissolves—about 45–60 seconds in the microwave or over low heat. Pour the mixture over ½ cup shredded carrots and ⅓ cup thinly sliced Persian cucumber. Let sit to pickle while you prep everything else.
- Prep and Salt the Pineapple: Slice the top and bottom off the pineapple. Stand it upright and cut away the outer skin. Cut in half vertically, then rotate and cut in half again so you have 4 quarters. Slice off the tough inner core from each quarter, then cut each quarter lengthwise into flat slices (not too thick or too thin)—you’ll get about 4 pieces total depending on the size. Liberally sprinkle with salt and set aside for 10–15 minutes.Pineapple Tip: You’ll only need about 6 slices of pineapple (2 per sandwich), so feel free to prep just 1–2 quarters of the pineapple and save the rest for snacking, smoothies, or grilling later.Tip: Don’t worry—salting pineapple is a classic technique that draws out excess moisture and intensifies the sweetness once grilled. It helps the fruit caramelize better and brings out its juicy flavor without tasting salty.
- Toast the Baguette: If your baguette isn’t already crispy on the outside, toast it in a toaster oven or regular oven at 400°F for about 5 minutes, then flip and toast 5 more minutes.
- Make the Mayo: In a small bowl, whisk together ⅓ cup vegan mayo, 1 tbsp lime juice, 2 tsp sriracha, 2 tbsp chopped peanuts, 2 dashes cinnamon, and 2 dashes cardamom. Add salt to taste. Chill until ready to use.
- Grill the Pineapple & Bread: Heat a grill, grill pan, or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Lightly oil the surface. Grill the pineapple spears for about 4 minutes per side until charred and caramelized. At the same time, slice the baguette thirds in half lengthwise and toast the cut sides directly on the grill until lightly golden.
- Assemble the Bánh Mì: Spread the peanut-lime mayo on the bottom half of each baguette. Add 2 grilled pineapple spears per sandwich, followed by a layer of pickled carrots and cucumbers, a few thin slices of jalapeño, and fresh cilantro leaves. Top with the other half of the baguette and serve immediately.
Notes
Vegan-Friendly
Be sure to use vegan mayo to keep this recipe entirely plant-based.
Baguette Tips
Use a French-style baguette with a good crust. If it’s too soft, toasting it before grilling helps it hold up to the fillings.
Make-Ahead
The pickled veggies and mayo can both be prepped a day in advance and stored in the fridge.
Spice Level
Control the heat by adjusting the amount of jalapeño or removing the seeds.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 sandwichCalories: 485kcalCarbohydrates: 56gProtein: 8gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 3.5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gSodium: 540mgPotassium: 340mgFiber: 4gSugar: 17gVitamin A: 1200IUVitamin C: 35mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 2.5mg
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