How do I choose the best protein for banh mi tacos?

Meat lover or veggie enthusiast? Learn how to choose the best protein for your Banh Mi Tacos, whether it's traditional pork, tender chicken, or flavorful tofu.

You'll need

Items needed to answer the question, How do I choose the best protein for Banh Mi Tacos. Items include: Pork Chicken Tofu Soy sauce Fish sauce Garlic Ginger Lime juice Chili Sesame oil Lemongrass Tortillas Pickled carrots Daikon radish Cilantro Jalapeños Sriracha mayo Cucumber Avocado Lime

Pork 1 pound of pork loin or shoulder
Chicken 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Tofu 1 block of firm tofu
Soy sauce 2 tablespoons
Fish sauce 2 tablespoons
Garlic 2 cloves, minced
Ginger 1 tablespoon, grated
Lime juice 2 tablespoons
Chili 1 small chili, chopped
Sesame oil 2 tablespoons
Lemongrass 1 stalk, finely chopped
Tortillas 8 small flour tortillas
Pickled carrots 1 cup
Daikon radish 1 cup
Cilantro 1/2 cup, chopped
Jalapeños 2-3, sliced
Sriracha mayo 1/4 cup
Cucumber 1, thinly sliced
Avocado 1, sliced
Lime 1, cut into wedges

Take note
Please be aware of any food allergies or dietary restrictions you or your guests may have before proceeding with the recipe.

1

Decide on your protein

Are you a fan of traditional flavors? Then you can't go wrong with pork as your protein of choice. For a lighter alternative, choose tender chicken instead. And if you're looking for a vegetarian option that's packed with flavor, tofu is ready to rock your taco world!

2

Preparation and marination

Once you've decided on your protein, it's time to prepare and marinate it. For pork, slice it into thin strips and marinate it in a mixture of soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. For chicken, cut it into bite-sized pieces and let it soak in a marinade of fish sauce, lime juice, and chili. And if you're going with tofu, press it to remove excess moisture and then marinate it in a combination of soy sauce, sesame oil, and lemongrass.

3

Cooking your protein

Now it's time to cook your protein to perfection. Grill the marinated pork or chicken over medium-high heat until cooked through and slightly charred. If you're using tofu, pan-fry it until golden brown and crispy on all sides. Remember to keep an eye on your proteins to prevent them from getting overcooked!

4

Assemble your Banh Mi Tacos

Get ready for the final step: assembling your Banh Mi Tacos! Fill warm tortillas with your cooked protein, and then pile on the toppings. Traditional Banh Mi toppings include pickled carrots, daikon radish, fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeños, and a drizzle of Sriracha mayo. Feel free to customize your tacos with additional ingredients like cucumber, avocado, or a squeeze of lime. Now take a moment to appreciate the beauty of your creation before taking a big, satisfying bite!