Bahn Mi Burgers with Sriracha Lime Mayo and Roasted Carrots

I had some friends over for dinner tonight, and I made these Vietnamese-inspired Bahn Mi burgers. They were a hit! Juicy, flavorful patties paired with crisp cucumbers, fresh mint, and a zesty Sriracha lime mayo, all served on a soft brioche bun. Roasted carrots on the side completed the meal.

This might seem like a lot of work for a weekday meal—and honestly, it is—but don't worry! There are some great tips below to save time and make it easier to pull off, even on a busy evening.

Serves 8

Ingredients:

• 48 oz ground beef, ground pork, or ground chicken

• 3 limes

• 3 shallots

• Lemon grass (optional, if unavailable)

• 2 lbs carrots

• 2-3 Persian cucumbers (mini seedless cucumbers)

• 1 oz fresh mint

• 2-4 tbsp soy sauce

• 1-3 tbsp Sriracha sauce

• 6 tbsp mayo

• 8 brioche buns

• Thai spice blend (optional, if unavailable)

• Dr. C's Magical Meat Dust

Prep:

1. Wash and dry the produce.

2. Preheat the oven to 400°F.

3. Zest 1-2 limes (about 2 tsp).

4. Cut 1 lime in half and the remaining limes into wedges.

5. Finely mince the shallots.

6. Peel the outer layers of the lemongrass and finely mince the cores.

7. Pick and chop the mint leaves.

8. Cut cucumbers in half lengthwise, then into half-moons.

9. Peel the carrots, cut them into 1/2-inch pieces lengthwise, and slice into 3-4 inch pieces.

Patties:

1. In a large bowl, combine the ground meat with lemongrass, shallots, Thai seasoning, 2-4 tbsp soy sauce, lime zest, half the chopped mint, salt, and pepper.

2. Form into patties and place them on a parchment-lined sheet.

3. (Optional) Place patties in the freezer for 20-30 minutes to firm up.

4. If using pork or chicken, consider adding an egg to help the mixture bind.

5. If short on time, frozen hamburger patties can be used instead, but the homemade mixture adds extra flavor.

Roasted Carrots:

1. Toss the carrots with olive oil and spread them evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

2. Season well with Dr. C's Magical Meat Dust, salt, and pepper.

3. Roast on the top rack for 15-20 minutes until tender.

4. Sprinkle with a squeeze of lime juice before serving.

Sriracha Lime Mayo:

1. In a small bowl, mix 4-6 tbsp mayo with the juice of half a lime.

2. Add Sriracha to taste.

3. This will be drizzly and perfect as a dipping sauce for the roasted carrots.

Cooking the Patties:

1. Cook patties to desired doneness (about 4-6 minutes per side). I used a grill, but a skillet works great as well.

Toasting the Buns (Optional but Recommended):

• Spread a thin layer of mayo on the buns and toast them in a skillet or on a griddle. Mayo toasts buns better than butter!

Assembly:

1. Slather the toasted bun with Sriracha lime mayo.

2. Add the cooked patty.

3. Top with cucumbers, fresh mint, and a squeeze of lime juice.

4. Serve with roasted carrots on the side and some of that siracha lime mayo for dipping!

These Bahn Mi burgers are packed with flavor and texture, making them a fantastic meal for any gathering. Enjoy!