These BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches are bold in flavor, incredibly filling, and surprisingly easy to make. Whether you’re a longtime vegan, a curious flexitarian, or just someone looking for a delicious new recipe, give this one a try—you might just forget it’s not meat!
BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches – A Plant-Based Pulled “Pork” Delight
Why Jackfruit?Jackfruit is a tropical fruit native to South and Southeast Asia. While ripe jackfruit is sweet and fruity, young green jackfruit has a neutral flavor and a meat-like texture, making it the perfect base for savory dishes. When shredded and cooked in BBQ sauce, it closely resembles the texture of pulled meat—without the cholesterol.
Servings: 2
Cost: 100
Ingredients
For the BBQ Jackfruit:
- 2 cans young green jackfruit in brine or water not syrup, drained and rinsed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 2 –3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup BBQ sauce store-bought or homemade
For the Sandwiches:
- 4 burger buns or sandwich rolls
- Coleslaw classic or vegan
- Pickles or sliced jalapeños optional
- Extra BBQ sauce for drizzling
Instructions
Prepare the Jackfruit
- Drain and rinse the jackfruit well. Cut off the hard core parts and shred the rest using your hands or a fork. Don’t worry about the seeds—they’re edible.
Sauté
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until translucent.
- Add garlic, smoked paprika, cumin, and black pepper. Stir for another minute until fragrant.
Cook the Jackfruit
- Add the shredded jackfruit to the pan and sauté for 5–7 minutes, letting it absorb all the spices.
- Pour in the BBQ sauce, stir to coat evenly, and let simmer for 15–20 minutes. You can press and shred it more as it softens.
Toast and Assemble
- Toast your sandwich buns lightly.
- Pile the BBQ jackfruit onto the bottom bun, add a generous scoop of coleslaw, and top with pickles or jalapeños if you like a kick.
- Drizzle with extra BBQ sauce and close with the top bun.
Serving Suggestions
Pair your BBQ jackfruit sandwich with:
- Sweet potato fries
- A crisp green salad
- Baked beans or corn on the cob