Banh Mi Burgers with Quick Pickled Carrots and Daikon

These Bánh Mì Burgers with Quick Pickled Carrots and Daikon were developed in partnership with Ohio Beef. As always, all opinions are my own. 

Last week I had the opportunity to visit several beef farms here in Ohio. One of the things I love about living in Columbus is we enjoy all the benefits of big city living while only being a 45 minute drive from country life. I grew up in a rural community surrounded by cornfields, so while I love city life, something about wide open fields, silos, and the faint scent of cow manure will always feel like home.

Just a little south of the city, we met the Jepsens and the Hoffmans, first and second generation beef cattle farmers. Every time I have the opportunity to speak with a farmer, I come away with renewed respect for the incredibly difficult but important job they have.

I was grateful to have the chance to speak with each family, and was amazed by their transparency and openness about the entire process of raising, butchering, and bringing beef to our tables. These men and women have an impressive level of expertise about everything from cow behavior and biology to efficient, sustainable land usage. They work long hours in 90 degree heat and below freezing temperatures.

No one becomes a farmer because they want to make a lot of money and live a super comfortable life. You have to have a passion for this type of work, and that passion was evident in both farmers we spoke to. The Jepsens and Hoffmans are just two of the 17,000 beef family farmers who are committed to providing excellent care of their animals and protecting the environment for future generations, often without thanks or recognition for the vital role they play in bringing safe, quality food to our tables.

After meeting with local beef farmers, we had the pleasure of dining and cooking with Peter Chapman, Regional Chef at Cameron Mitchell restaurants. In about a 36 hour window, we tried beef in about 10 different forms, some familiar and some not so familiar. We had roasts and ribeyes, meatballs and carpaccio, hangar steak and shepherd’s pie. Everything was carefully made and artfully plated. You might think in a line up this exquisite the humble burger couldn’t stand up, but you’d be wrong. Even amidst a sea of lovely and delectable beef dishes, the simple burger held it’s own, enticing all of us with it’s rich flavor and dribble-down-the-chin-juiciness.

Bánh Mì Burgers

I’ve made a lot of good burgers over the years (these All American Bacon Cheeseburgers and Red Wine Burgers with Caramelized Onions come to mind), but these Bánh Mì Burgers are a new favorite.

If you’re not familiar with the traditional bánh mì sandwich, here’s a quick run down. This Vietnamese favorite is stacked with juicy roasted pork and pickled vegetables, typically a combination of carrots, daikon radish, and sometimes cucumber. It often has a spicy mayonnaise-based sauce and fresh herbs like cilantro and mint. It’s fresh and crunchy, with a range of textures and tastes to enjoy.

To be honest, I wasn’t exactly sure how the bright, sweet and sour flavors of a classic báhn mì would convert to burger form, but it turns out beef and pickled vegetables belong together.

The puckery crunch of the carrots and daikon really helps balance out the richness of the beef. Think about how dill pickles give a burger that hint of crunch and acidity, now multiply that effect by about five. It’s perfection.

Pair it with fresh jalapeno slices (for those who can handle the extra heat), fresh cilantro, and a spicy Sriracha mayo and you have yourself one heck of a burger.

Quick Pickled Vegetables for Bánh Mì

A few notes on the process: Normally bánh mì vegetables need to sit for several hours or days to get their trademark sweet and sour flavor. The problem is, sometimes you need a bánh mì burger TONIGHT. That’s where these quick pickled vegetables come in. Made in the time it takes you to fry up the hamburgers and set the table, these quick pickled vegetables are ready to go in just 30 minutes.

However, if you happen to have the time (and foresight) to make classic pickled vegetables, I recommend checking out the White on Rice Couple’s Vietnamese Pickled Vegetable recipe.

I like to use a mixture of carrots, daikon radish, and cucumber for these burgers, but you can omit the cucumber if you prefer. Daikon is more traditional (and was available at my local Kroger), but feel free to substitute red radishes if you prefer.

The quick pickled carrots stay good for a few days (although they will stink to high heavens). The recipe makes enough for 6 (heavily loaded) sandwiches. If you need less, I recommend halving the recipe.

Can’t get enough pickled veggies? Try these Quick Korean Pickles!

How to Make Perfectly Grilled Burgers

To make perfect grilled burgers, be sure to preheat your grill to at least 450 degrees. The high heat gives the meat a nice sear.

I like to shape the beef patties, then put a small thumbprint in the center so they cook evenly and don’t get that domed shape typical of homemade burgers.

Most importantly, DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT, smash, poke, prod or otherwise torment your patties while they’re cooking. This causes all those delicious juices to escape and end up in the bottom of your grill rather than in your mouth where you want them. Leave the patties alone (besides flipping and testing for temperature), and you’ll be rewarded with tender, juicy burgers everyone will love.

For more information and tips, check out this full post on How to Grill Burgers.

More Unique Burger Recipes to Try

• Taco Burgers
• Mushroom Swiss Burgers
• Ranch Burgers
• Hobo Dinner Hamburger Foil Packets
• Pimento Cheese Burgers
• Breakfast Burgers with Bourbon Bacon Jam
• Cajun Burgers