Banh mi burgers

Banh mi burgers

What's a banh mi ? It's a vietnamese sandwich, traditionnally made with baguette bread and stuffed with various ingredients. Here I made a burger version of the banh mi, so good and so fresh, the pickles take it to the next level and they're good on many things, not just burgers.

I made the beef patty myself with a lot of spices because it really helps enhancing the banh mi flavors, don't throw a plain beef patty in there, it wouldn't taste as good ! These are store-bought brioche buns.

Don't be shy on the cilantro either, it makes it so refreshing ! Have a blast.

Banh mi burgers (makes 4) :

  • 4 brioche buns
  • 500 g ground beef
  • 1 tsp ground lemongrass
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 2 small shallots
  • 1/2 tsp chinese 5 spices
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp nuoc mam (fish sauce)
  • 2 tsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 2 tsp cornstarch
  • 4 lettuce leaves
  • Fresh cilantro
  • 1 cucumber

For the pickles :

  • 100 g carrots
  • 100 g daikon (white radish)
  • 2 tbsp white sugar
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 180 ml (3/4 cup) rice vinegar
  • 180 ml (3/4 cup) water

For the sauce :

To make the pickles :

Peel and grate the carrots and radishes. Put it all in a big bowl.

Boil water, vinegar, sugar and salt for a few seconds.

Pour the hot vinegar solution on the vegetables. Make sure everything is well submerged. Let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes if you're using them the same day, put them in the fridge overnight if you're making them ahead.

To make the sauce, mix mayonnaise and sriracha together in a bowl and set aside.

To make the burger patties :

Mix in a bowl the ground beef, soy and nuoc mam sauces, cornstarch, sugar, finely chopped shallots, grated garlic, salt, lemongrass and 5 spices.

Shape 4 patties of the same size, don't flatten them too much.

Cook the patties in a pan with a drizzle of oil. 5 minutes on each side for a medium burger.

Spread the sriracha mayo on both the top and bottom pieces of bread.

Add a lettuce leaf, a few thinly sliced cucumber, the beef patty, a few pickled, a lot of fresh cilantro and add the top bun.

Repeat for the 3 other burgers.

Enjoy !