This delicious Bahn Mi recipe is a twist on the classic Vietnamese sandwich. I've used lettuce wraps instead of a baguette, but I've kept in all those lovely Vietnamese flavors - meat, pickled veggies and sauces, for the filling.
Sometimes I (Lauren) think the concepts of meal prep and slow cookers get a bad rap. I often hear people say they make for rushed or bland meals, but if you like to eat healthy and have a busy life, I think you have to master both of these. I obviously disagree and believe that not only can you make flavorful, delicious meals--you can enjoy a variety of styles of food. So I present you with this awesome Bahn Mi recipe!
How To Make This Bahn Mi Wrap Recipe - Step by Step
- Make pickled veggies by combining the vinegars, water, honey and sugar in a saucepan over med-high heat. Let it boil for about a minute then pour over the carrots, radishes, and cucumbers. Let marinate in the fridge for a few hours or overnight.
- In your slow cooker combine all bahn mi chicken ingredients. Set on high for 3 hours or low for 5 hours.
- Once chicken is done, shred the meat and mix with the sauce in the slow cooker.
- When you’re ready to assemble, drain the pickled veggies.
- Fill your cabbage leave with the banh mi chicken, pickled veggies, fresh cilantro, green onion, and sriracha.
What Is A Bahn Mi?
I love to cook Asian flavors. I am no master of them yet but I really enjoy experimenting and learning new techniques. Banh Mi is the Vietnamese word for bread. Bread, or more specifically the baguette. Unlike the traditional French baguette, the Vietnamese baguette is made with rice flour along with wheat flour.
Originating on the streets of Saigon, the Banh Mi sandwich is a French-Vietnamese hybrid consisting of an airy baguette, sour pickled daikon and carrot, crisp cilantro, spicy chilis, and a cool sliver of cucumber surrounding any number of protein options, from sweet minced pork to fatty pate to sardines.
A Twist On The Classic Bahn Mi Recipe
Ironically, my banh mi has absolutely nothing to do with bread. More than the bread, I am pulling from the flavors of the traditional, delectable banh mi sandwich, that consists of a savory meat, fresh or pickled vegetables, and condiments. It's all wrapped in a crunchy cabbage instead of the baguette, and it works so well, it's just the perfect balance between flavor and freshness!
An Easy Bahn Mi Recipe
I love this recipe because it really is easy. I usually prep the pickled veggies the night before or in the morning before work. And then let the crock pot do the rest. Once it’s time for dinner, really all that’s left is assembling the wraps. This dish packs so much flavor, it’s always surprising how good they taste!
Top Tips For This Bahn Mi Recipe
- Both purple or green cabbage work great, pulled apart to create wraps.
- Chicken thighs work great for this recipe.
- Let your veggies pickled overnight.
- You can double this recipe and use an entire chicken. I love to do this during busy weeks and then I have these for lunch all week.
Check Out These Sandwich Recipes
- The Best of Sandwiches
- Homemade Chik-Fil-A Sandwiches
- Scandinavian Inspired Salmon Burger Recipe (Gluten Free)
- Waffle Ice Cream Sandwich Recipe
Have you tried this Bahn Mi recipe? Feel free to leave a star rating and I"d love to hear from you in the comments below!
Banh Mi Cabbage Wraps
Ingredients
Pickled Veggies:
- ½ cup matchstick carrots
- ½ cup radish sliced
- ½ cup cucumbers sliced and quartered
- ¼ cup rice vinegar
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons water
- 4 tablespoon coconut sugar
- 1 tablespoon honey
Banh Mi Chicken:
- 1.5 lb chicken I like to use thighs
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons coconut aminos
- 1 garlic clove chopped
- 2 green onions chopped
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon chili paste
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon ginger
- ¾ tablespoon coconut oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Wraps:
- Head of cabbage both purple or green work great, pulled apart to create wraps
- Garnish: Fresh cilantro fresh green onion
Instructions
- Make pickled veggies by combining the vinegars, water, honey and sugar in a saucepan over med-high heat. Let it boil for about a minute then pour over the carrots, radishes, and cucumbers. Let marinate in the fridge for a few hours or overnight.
- In your slow cooker combine all bahn mi chicken ingredients. Set on high for 3 hours or low for 5 hours.
- Once chicken is done, shred the meat and mix with the sauce in the slow cooker.
- When you’re ready to assemble, drain the pickled veggies.
- Fill your cabbage leave with the banh mi chicken, pickled veggies, fresh cilantro, green onion, and sriracha.
Notes
Nutrition
Photography by Chase Daniel