Banh Mi-Inspired Hot Dog Lettuce Wraps

Okay, this is definitely not your traditional banh mi, but it IS a really fun way to switch up hot dogs! These Banh Mi-Inspired Hot Dog Lettuce Wraps are topped with a crunchy mixture of carrots, cucumber, peppers, onion, garlic, ginger, chili garlic sauce, and fish sauce. Then you can pile on cilantro, green onions, Sriracha, mayo, and a squeeze of lime.

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love This Recipe
• Why Banh Mi-Inspired?
• Ingredients
• What Kind of Hot Dogs Can I Use?
• How to Make Banh Mi-Inspired Hot Dog Lettuce Wraps
• Cook the Hot Dogs
• Assemble the Lettuce Wraps
• Can I Make the Veggie Topping Ahead of Time?
• How to Make Them Less Spicy
• Banh Mi-Inspired Hot Dog Lettuce Wraps
• Pin for later!

The result is savory, tangy, spicy, crunchy, and perfect for summer!

This recipe was originally made as a Paleo-friendly alternative to a traditional hot dog, which is why it is served in a lettuce wrap instead of a bun. But you definitely don't have to eat Paleo to make these. If you want a regular hot dog bun, use one! Honestly, all those crunchy banh mi-inspired toppings would be delicious either way.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• A fun way to change up regular hot dogs
• Lots of fresh, crunchy veggies
• Savory, tangy, and a little spicy
• Great for grilling season
• Easy to customize
• Serve in lettuce wraps or hot dog buns
• You can prep the veggie topping ahead of time

Why Banh Mi-Inspired?

Traditional Vietnamese banh mi is a sandwich served on bread with various meats, vegetables, herbs, and condiments.

This obviously isn't a traditional banh mi. Instead, we're borrowing some of those delicious flavors and textures and putting them on a hot dog.

The crunchy vegetables, fresh cilantro, spicy sauce, and creamy mayo work surprisingly well with a salty grilled hot dog!

Ingredients

For the veggie topping:

• 2 medium carrots, julienned or spiralized
• 1 small sweet or white onion, thinly sliced
• 1 sweet red bell pepper, julienned
• 1 small Mediterranean or Persian cucumber, julienned
• 1 Hatch or Anaheim pepper, julienned
• 1-inch piece fresh ginger, minced
• 3 large garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

For serving:

• 4 to 6 hot dogs
• 4 to 6 large lettuce leaves, washed and dried

Optional toppings:

• Daikon radish, julienned
• Fresh cilantro
• Chopped green onions
• Lime wedges
• Sriracha
• Mayonnaise or Paleo-friendly mayonnaise

What Kind of Hot Dogs Can I Use?

Pretty much whatever kind you like!

Beef, pork, turkey, and chicken hot dogs all work here. If you're making these specifically as a Paleo recipe, just choose a hot dog that fits your dietary needs.

Otherwise, grab your favorite hot dogs and you're good to go.

How to Make Banh Mi-Inspired Hot Dog Lettuce Wraps

First, prepare all your veggies.

Julienne, spiralize, or thinly slice the carrots, onion, red bell pepper, cucumber, and Hatch or Anaheim pepper.

If you're adding daikon, slice that up too.

Mince the garlic and ginger.

Make the Veggie Topping

Add the carrots, onion, bell pepper, cucumber, pepper, garlic, ginger, chili garlic sauce, fish sauce, and white vinegar to a large bowl.

Season with salt and pepper and toss everything together.

Let it sit for about 20 minutes before serving. This gives all those veggies a chance to soak up the savory, tangy, and spicy flavors.

Cook the Hot Dogs

While the vegetables are sitting, cook your hot dogs.

You can grill, boil, roast, or pan fry them. During the summer, grilling is definitely my pick!

Assemble the Lettuce Wraps

Place a cooked hot dog in a large lettuce leaf.

Pile the veggie mixture on top, then add whatever toppings you like.

I like these with fresh cilantro, green onions, Sriracha, mayo, and plenty of fresh lime juice.

And that's it!

Can I Serve These in Regular Hot Dog Buns?

Yes!

If you aren't looking for a Paleo or low-carb option, there's no reason you have to use lettuce.

Toast some hot dog buns and pile the same veggie mixture and toppings on top. You could even put out both lettuce leaves and buns at a cookout and let everyone choose.

Can I Make the Veggie Topping Ahead of Time?

Yes. You can prepare the vegetable mixture a few hours ahead and keep it covered in the refrigerator.

It will soften as it sits, though, so I like it best the same day while the vegetables are still nice and crunchy.

How to Make Them Less Spicy

There are several sources of heat in this recipe, so it's easy to adjust.

For a milder version:

• Use less chili garlic sauce
• Remove the seeds from the Hatch or Anaheim pepper
• Skip the Sriracha

And if you like things spicy, add extra chili garlic sauce or Sriracha!

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