BBQ Jackfruit Pulled Pork Sandwiches (Printable Version)

Smoky jackfruit in tangy sauce, served on toasted buns with slaw for a satisfying, plant-based American main.

# What You'll Need:

→ Jackfruit Filling

01 - 2 cans (20 oz each) young green jackfruit in brine or water, drained and rinsed
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
07 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
09 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
10 - 1 cup vegan BBQ sauce
11 - 1/4 cup water

→ Coleslaw

12 - 2 cups shredded green cabbage
13 - 1/2 cup shredded carrots
14 - 2 tablespoons vegan mayonnaise
15 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
16 - 1/2 teaspoon maple syrup
17 - Salt, to taste
18 - Pepper, to taste

→ For Serving

19 - 4 burger buns (vegan if needed)
20 - Sliced pickles (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Remove any tough cores and seeds from the jackfruit pieces. Shred the jackfruit using forks or hands until it resembles pulled pork.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Incorporate minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute.
03 - Add the shredded jackfruit to the skillet along with smoked paprika, ground cumin, chili powder, black pepper, and salt. Stir and cook for 3 to 4 minutes.
04 - Pour in vegan BBQ sauce and water. Stir to coat evenly. Simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 20 to 25 minutes until the jackfruit is tender and the sauce is thickened.
05 - Combine shredded cabbage, carrots, vegan mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly and set aside.
06 - Lightly toast the burger buns if desired. Layer the BBQ jackfruit filling on the bottom bun, top with coleslaw, and add sliced pickles if using. Cover with the top bun and serve immediately.

# Expert Insights:

01 -
  • Relies on easy to find pantry items and fresh produce
  • Comes together in under one hour for weeknight dinners
  • Completely vegan and easily made gluten free
  • Customizable toppings and spice level
02 -
  • Packing plenty of plant-based protein and fiber
  • No cholesterol and low in saturated fat
  • Jackfruit brings crowd-pleasing texture without any soy or gluten
03 -
  • Jackfruit can stick so always cook with enough liquid
  • Taste your barbecue sauce before using some tend to be salty or overly sweet
  • For smoky depth add a tiny drop of liquid smoke but just a little goes a long way
  • Use forks to shred jackfruit for realistic pulled texture
  • Do not skip resting the slaw while the jackfruit cooks it makes every bite crisp and creamy

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