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These colorful Vietnamese-inspired 25 Minute Ginger Sesame Banh Mi Rice Bowls are full of fresh flavors and made so simply. The ground chicken, or pork, is cooked in a sweet soy chili sauce until caramelized around the edges. It’s then added to bowls of lemongrass rice. A fresh, bright, cucumber herb salad with chunks of avocado is spooned overtop along with quickly pickled carrots. There’s spicy mayo and extra sauce too. It’s a very yummy balance of spicy, sweet, and savory flavors. Altogether, these bowls are so delicious, plus quick to make.
If you’re not familiar with a Banh Mi sandwich, it’s a Vietnamese sandwich. It’s usually made with a baguette-style sub roll that’s layered with cripy pork or chicken. Then a spicy mayo is spread on top with pickled veggies, cucumbers, spicy chilies, and fresh herbs. It’s also traditional to add liver pate, but you’ll notice I left that out of these bowls. It’s not something I can easily find.
The flavors combined are fresh, with just the right amount of spiciness, and great umami flavors all around.
It’s such a yummy sandwich!
I’ve never made a traditional banh mi, they can sometimes be time intensive depending on the method used. But these bowls are the next best thing!
And so quick to make too, which we just love! These bowls aren’t traditional, but a nice, quick way to enjoy similar flavors.
The details on these bowls
To start, I do make my own lemongrass rice. It’s super simple but totally optional.
Lemongrass is such a star ingredient that’s so underused. When cooked, it has a subtle citrusy, lemony flavor with a bit of mintiness in there too.
It’s a very light refreshing flavor and I love cooking it into the rice. The lemongrass really compliments these bowls.
I cook the rice in coconut milk for a creamy, coconut flavor along with lemongrass paste and Thai jasmine rice. Simply let the rice steam while you prepare the bowls.
While that’s cooking away, I make the cucumber salad.
Lots of fresh herbs, I use a mix of cilantro and Thai basil. If you enjoy mint, add that too! Then, refreshing cucumber, avocado, toasted sesame seeds, roasted peanuts, a little spice from a serrano pepper, and a simple lime dressing.
Just toss everything together in a bowl, no fancy steps.
And now the meat. You can use chicken or pork, I usually do a mix of the two. Then a couple of shallots and garlic. Then add chili paste, tamari or soy, fish sauce, and maple syrup. Oh, plus some black pepper.
Now the KEY, pickled ginger. I added this at the last minute and it ended up being the most delicious addition. The picked ginger quickly caramelizes and becomes sweet and just addicting. You will love it.
Finish it up
Layer each bowl with lots of rice, then the meat, and any extra sauce. Top each bowl with the cucumber salad and spicy mayo.
Enjoy immediately…and that’s it! This takes less than 30 minutes to make and it’s delicious and fun! All those fresh herbs really make the difference.
Looking for other quick weeknight dinners? Here are some favorites:
Sheet Pan Poblano Chicken Fajita Bowls.
Cauliflower Tzatziki Bowls with Sweet Potato Fries
30 Minute Garlic Butter Chicken Pad Thai
Coconut Popcorn Chicken with Sweet Thai Chili Lime Sauce
30 Minute Sticky Thai Meatballs with Sesame Noodles
Better Than Takeout Sweet Thai Basil Chicken
Lastly, if you make these 25 Minute Banh Mi Rice Bowls, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
25 Minute Banh Mi Rice Bowls
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 530 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Watch the How-To Reel
Ingredients
Cucumber Herb Salad
- 2 Persian cucumbers, chopped
- 1 Serrano or jalapeño pepper, seeded and sliced
- 1 cup mixed fresh herbs, chopped
- 3 tablespoons mixed sesame seeds and peanuts
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 avocado, cubed
Banh Mi Meat
- 2 tablespoons sesame or olive oil
- 1 1/2 pounds ground chicken or ground pork
- 2 shallots, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1/2 cup tamari
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1-3 tablespoons chili paste
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 cup shredded or pickled carrots
- 1/3 cup pickled ginger
- 3-4 cups cooked rice, for serving
- spicy mayo, for serving
Instructions
- 1. To make the salad. Combine everything in a bowl and gently toss. Season with salt 2. To Make the meat. In a bowl, mix the tamari, fish sauce, chili paste, and maple syrup. Add 1/3 cup water. Set a few tablespoons of the sauce aside for serving, if desired. 3. Heat the oil, meat, shallots, and garlic in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook, breaking up the meat as it cooks, until browned, 5 minutes. Add the sauce. Cook another 5 minutes, until the meat is crispy. Add the pickled ginger, and let cook for 1 minute. Remove from the heat. 3. Spoon the meat over bowls of rice. Top with the herb salad, pickled carrots, and spicy mayo. Drizzle over the extra sauce. Enjoy!
Notes
Pickled Carrots: In a bowl, mix 1/2 cup rice vinegar, 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey, 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil, and 1 teaspoon salt. Microwave 1 minute, then whisk. Add 2 cups julienned carrots and toss well. Let sit 15 minutes to 1 hour. You can also add thinly sliced ginger and or jalapeños.
LEMONGRASS RICE: Add 1 can coconut milk and 1/3 water to a medium-sized pot. Bring to a low boil. Add in 1 1/2 cups jasmine rice and 1 tablespoon lemongrass paste. Stir to combine. Place the lid on the pot and turn the heat down to the lowest setting possible. Allow the rice to cook 10 minutes on low and then turn the heat off completely. Let the rice sit on the stove, covered, for another 15-20 minutes (don’t take any peeks inside!).
2. After 15-20 minutes remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork. Note that rice can cook differently for everyone, this is just what works for me.
This post was originally published on March 1, 2023
Sorry, I buy coconut milk in many different sizes. For the lemongrass rice you ask for a can of coconut milk, what size?
Thanks in advance!
Hi Linda,
You’ll want to use a 14 ounce can of coconut milk. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
Hi Tieghan. What brand of chili paste do you use? Thx.
Hey Miriam,
Sambal Olek is great to use for this recipe! I also love this brand:
https://www.amazon.com/Mother-Laws-Kimchi-Fermented-Chile/dp/B00P2QI8E2/ref=asc_df_B00P2QI8E2/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=343705175886&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5803272065135046402&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9028879&hvtargid=pla-721102079685&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=70295121318&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=343705175886&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5803272065135046402&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9028879&hvtargid=pla-721102079685
Please let me know if you give the dish a try, I hope you love it! xx
This looks delish! Please add the brand of lemongrass paste used. Yours looks to have pieces and I would like to use the same. Thanks!
Hi there,
I order mine online or get at the local grocery store. Gourmet Garden is a great brand to use! Please let me know if you give this recipe a try! xx
Absolutely delicious!!!
Hey Jill,
Happy Friday!!🍀 I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your comment, so glad to hear it was delish! xT
Looks yummy! In the rice, is it 1/3 CUP or 1/3 CAN of water, like the coconut milk can? It just says 1/3…
Hey Angela,
So sorry, it’s 1/3 cup of water. Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xx
made this for dinner last night! So good. Everyone raved and we will definitely be making it again. Only one recommendation, add a little salt to the cucumber salad.
Hey Rebecca,
Fantastic!!🌺 I love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you and thanks so much for making it! xT
I made this tonight for our dinner. My family raved about it! All agree that this is going on our Gold Star Make Forever Recipe List. Many thanks for another wonderful “Tieghan Tecipe”
Thanks so much Lynn!! I appreciate you making this recipe, so glad to hear your family enjoyed!! xT
Loved this. Nice balance of heat, spice, sweetness and crunch. Think I’ll use low sodium soy sauce next time.
Thanks so much Sheila!! So glad to hear that this dish was enjoyed and thanks for making it! xx
Could anyone think of any reason I shouldn’t make this rice in my rice cooker? I feel like it should be okay but I’m not 100% since there’s coconut milk. Thank you!
I make coconut rice in my rice cooker all the time and haven’t had issues so I don’t see why not.
Thanks for sharing Lea!!
Hey Selina,
So sorry, I’m honestly not sure, I’ve never tested this rice in the rice cooker. Let me know if you give the recipe a try! xx
I’ve often made coconut rice in my rice maker, and it works just great – sometimes I use coconut water in place of the milk for a slightly lighter coconut flavour. This is on my agenda for tonight, can’t wait to try it.
Thanks for sharing Kathy!!
Hello, we will try something similar this weekend; no pork and some of the other items mentioned and we’ll need to get some items that were mentioned but don’t have in stock; oh well it will be a version of this recipe, and thank you for sharing.
I hope you love the recipe! xT
I’m so doing this for my friends !!! Super exciting and delicious recipe !!!
thanks for the tips … and I’ll have the opportunity to use my new bowls and chopsticks !!!
Absolutely delicious!! The entire family loved it. This will definitely be added to our meal rotation. The combination of flavors was incredible – the pickled ginger with the meat is a must ! Thanks so much .
Hey Mary,
Fantastic!!🌺 I love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you and thanks so much for making it! xT
Thanks so much Edye! I hope you love this recipe!! xx
Looks amazing. Where do you get lemongrass paste or do you make it?
Thanks for sharing your incredible recipes.
I buy lemongrass paste from amazon, but I believe Whole Foods has it, too 🙂
Hey Katrina,
I usually order mine online, your local grocery store might carry it as well! Please let me know if I can help in any other way! xx
Hi !
I want to use vegetarian mince meat instead.
Have you tried it ?
Any tips ?
Thank you
Hey Alexandra,
So sorry, I’ve never tested this but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work well for you! Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
The recipe calls for chili paste, but the link takes you to chili crisp. Which one is preferable?
Hey Cathy,
You’ll want to use chili paste for this recipe:) Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope this is delish! xT
This looks delicious. I love how you share the links to the ingredients you use. Can you share the link to the lemongrass paste? Thanks.
Hi Merritt,
Thanks sohttps://www.instacart.com/landing?product_id=131074&retailer_id=269®ion_id=2897566533&utm_medium=sem_shopping&utm_source=instacart_google&utm_campaign=ad_demand_shopping_rp_food-pantry&utm_content=accountid-8145171519_campaignid-16074540121_adgroupid-140251574291_device-c&utm_term=targetid-aud-1686866559082:pla-1665055773994_locationid-9015315_adtype-pla_productchannel-online_merchantid-260498554_storecode-_productid-131074&gclid=CjwKCAiAjPyfBhBMEiwAB2CCIut9x6mZHCyudVHDt8qtgTjy4XwmChemwlXdVsnHfTAaTsUR20RDnhoCGMQQAvD_BwE much! Here’s the link for you:
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT