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    BBQ jackfruit sandwiches (vegan pulled pork)

    Published: Jan 9, 2022 · Modified: Apr 20, 2022 by Cadry Nelson
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please see my Privacy Policy for more details.

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    Text overlay: BBQ jackfruit sandwich. Sandwich on table topped with barbecue sauce and speared with a pepperoncini.

    BBQ jackfruit sandwiches are hearty, filling, and savory. The shredded consistency of jackfruit is similar to pulled pork. It soaks up the flavors of seasonings and barbecue sauce.

    It’s a delicious way to use canned Trader Joe’s jackfruit. Great on a sandwich with your favorite toppings! It’s an easy lunch or dinner with pantry-friendly ingredients.

    Hands holding BBQ jackfruit sandwich.

    Few things make me happier than going to a vegan barbecue restaurant. I love getting all of those craveable smoky flavors with plant foods.

    Sadly, vegan BBQ joints aren’t on every corner. And sometimes it’s just too cold outside to grill…

    However, you can still enjoy the flavors & textures of barbecue at home – right in your own kitchen.

    This BBQ sandwich is packed with saucy & toothsome jackfruit.

    Jackfruit has wonderful bite, thanks to its innate shredded consistency. (I also like to help it out in the food processor.)

    Browning it in a skillet gives it even more texture, before adding spices and your favorite barbecue sauce.

    Pile it onto a warmed bun with coleslaw, pickles, and/or mustard.

    It’s an easy lunch or dinner that’s sure to please.

    (For a variation on this idea, check out my vegan pulled pork recipe with Soy Curls. It’s also great on a vegan BBQ sandwich.)

    Where can I find jackfruit?

    Jackfruit display at Trader Joe's with buns and barbecue sauce.

    Look for canned jackfruit at Asian markets, natural grocery stores, or Trader Joe’s. (It’s one of my favorite Trader Joe’s vegan products.)

    You can also buy it online.

    For this recipe you’ll need young green jackfruit that’s packed in brine or water.

    As the name suggests, jackfruit is a fruit. The kind canned in water or brine isn’t ripe yet. Hence, why it’s called “young.”

    Fresh or ripe jackfruit in syrup would be too sweet for this recipe. I don’t recommend it.

    Can I eat all parts of canned jackfruit?

    Yes!

    The first time you open a can of green jackfruit, it can be a little surprising that there are pods and firmer parts to the jackfruit. It’s not just the shredded stuff you see in pictures.

    However, all parts of the canned jackfruit are edible.

    I like to move the jackfruit to a food processor & pulse several times. That way it all gets broken up and looks uniform from one part to another.

    Smaller pieces also means the jackfruit will absorb the seasonings & sauce better.

    Vegan barbecue sauce

    This recipe calls for vegan barbecue sauce.

    You can make your own barbecue sauce in 2 minutes with pantry-friendly ingredients. (No cooking required!) Or you can use store-bought barbecue sauce.

    When buying barbecue sauce, be sure to read the ingredient label. Not all types are vegan.

    Make sure it doesn’t include non-vegan Worcestershire sauce. (It’s made with anchovies.)

    I especially like the organic Kansas City-style barbecue sauce from Trader Joe’s. It is tangy, smoky, and a little sweet. (It’s shown above on the TJ’s display with canned jackfruit.)

    To make this dish gluten-free, use a gluten-free barbecue sauce and gluten-free buns (or enjoy the jackfruit on its own without a bun). Or you could put the BBQ jackfruit inside of a halved corn cake, like an arepa.

    What purpose does tahini serve in this recipe?

    Tahini is a seed butter. It’s similar to peanut butter, but made with sesame seeds instead of peanuts.

    My favorite tahini is Soom. It has a thinner, silkier viscosity, which makes it very spreadable. And it’s delicious.

    Most people think of hummus or baba ganoush when they’re asked about tahini. But when I cook with canned jackfruit, I often add tahini.

    Here’s why:

    1. Green jackfruit is low in calories and protein. So it can feel a little light when it’s a main course. Tahini adds some oomph, protein, and fat, which helps with satiety.
    2. It also makes the jackfruit sticky, which adds to the pulled pork vibe.
    3. Finally, it covers up any brine flavor that might be remaining in the canned jackfruit.

    If you don’t have tahini or aren’t a fan, it’s not a deal-breaker. You can add less or omit it altogether.

    How to make BBQ jackfruit

    Ingredients for BBQ jackfruit: barbecue sauce, tahini, canned jackfruit, salt, spices, onion, and garlic.

    Here’s what you’ll need for jackfruit pulled pork: green jackfruit, onion, garlic, barbecue sauce, tahini, spices, and a little oil.

    Collage showing how to rinse, dry, and shred jackfruit in a food processor.

    1. Drain canned young or green jackfruit in a colander. Rinse well.

    2. Move the jackfruit to a clean, dry kitchen towel.

    3. Wrap the jackfruit in the towel like a Tootsie Roll. Twist it and wring it dry, until all of the water/brine is out.

    4. Put the jackfruit in a food processor with an S blade. Pulse 4 or 5 times, until it’s fully broken up & shredded.

    (No food processor? Just chop it with a knife. Or break it up in the skillet with a spatula.)

    Collage showing how to brown canned jackfruit, season it, and coat it in barbecue sauce.

    5. Put jackfruit in an oiled skillet. Allow it to brown.

    6. Once it has gotten some color, push the jackfruit to one side of the skillet. Add a little more oil along with chopped onion & minced garlic. Sauté until fragrant and incorporate it with the jackfruit.

    7. Season the jackfruit with cumin, ancho chili powder, coriander, and salt. Fully combine. Then add tahini and combine with the seasoned jackfruit.

    8. Stir in barbecue sauce. If you’d like a saucier sandwich, add more to taste.

    Pile jackfruit pulled pork onto warmed buns, along with your choice of toppings.

    Close-up jackfruit pulled pork with coleslaw on burger bun.

    Can I make it without a food processor?

    Absolutely!

    If you don’t have a food processor, that’s not an issue.

    After you wring out the jackfruit in a towel, you can either give it a rough chop. Or roughly pull it apart with your fingers & place the jackfruit into the warm oiled skillet.

    As you cook the jackfruit, further break it up with your spatula.

    Make it your own

    You can make this BBQ jackfruit your own by varying the ingredients or amounts.

    • Vary the type of barbecue sauce
    • Add a dash of hot sauce along with the BBQ sauce for heat
    • Add a shredded carrot for texture and nutrients (Add one shredded carrot to the jackfruit after the spices)
    • If you’re not a fan of tahini, reduce or omit it
    • Instead of serving it on a sandwich, enjoy the BBQ jackfruit in a wrap, salad, bowl, or on top of vegan grits

    Jackfruit pulled pork sandwich in basket with onion rings.

    What to serve with jackfruit pulled pork sandwiches

    This hefty sandwich is amazing topped with a pile of vegan coleslaw, pickled onions, vegan ranch dressing, mustard, and/or pickles.

    Enjoy the sandwich with any of these side dishes:

    • Onion rings in air fryer or pan fried
    • Fried pickles – in air fryer or pan fried
    • Potato salad
    • Baked french fries
    • Air fryer polenta fries
    • Fried zucchini – in air fryer or pan fried
    • Grilled vegetable skewers
    • Vegan pasta salad
    • Black-eyed peas & collard greens
    • Fried green tomatoes in the air fryer or beer battered

    How to store leftovers & reheat

    Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator in a covered container for about 4 days. Stir in more barbecue sauce before reheating if it looks a little dry.

    Reheat in the microwave or in a non-stick skillet until warm.

    More jackfruit recipes

    Keep the jackfruit love going with any of these popular jackfruit recipes.

    • Vegan French dip sandwich
    • Vegan reuben jackfruit sandwich
    • Vegan Philly cheesesteak
    • Jackfruit carnitas tacos

    (See even more enticing options in this jackfruit recipes round-up!)

    Barbecued jackfruit sandwich on wood platter.

    Barbecue jackfruit sandwich on table with barbecue sauce and potato chips.

    BBQ jackfruit sandwiches

    When you crave a sandwich you can really sink your teeth into, whip up a batch of jackfruit pulled pork. It's easy to make using green or young canned jackfruit. (Ripe or fresh jackfruit won't work here. It's much too sweet.) Load it up on a bun and finish with your choice of toppings.
    Serves 2 to 3, depending on how high you pile your sandwiches
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Sandwich
    Cuisine: American, Vegan
    Keyword: barbecue food, comfort food, jackfruit recipe
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes
    Servings: 3 people
    Calories: 263kcal
    Author: Cadry Nelson

    Ingredients

    • 20 ounces green jackfruit canned in water or brine
    • 2 teaspoons organic canola oil or your preferred oil, divided
    • ½ cup chopped onions
    • 1 clove garlic minced
    • ½ teaspoon cumin
    • ½ teaspoon ancho chili powder
    • ½ teaspoon coriander
    • ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
    • 1 Tablespoon tahini
    • ¼ cup barbecue sauce plus more to taste
    • 2 or 3 burger buns

    Instructions

    • Drain canned green or young jackfruit in a colander. Rinse well with water.
    • Move the jackfruit to a clean, dry kitchen towel. Dry the jackfruit with a towel, wrap it like a Tootsie roll, and fully wring it dry until all of the water/brine comes out.
    • Move the dried off jackfruit to a food processor. Pulse several times until it's fully broken up and shredded. *
      (All parts of the canned jackfruit are edible - including any pods or firmer pieces. The food processor completely breaks those up, so that they're easy and pleasant to chew. If you don't have a food processor, just chop the jackfruit with a knife.)
    • Bring a large non-stick skillet to a medium heat with one teaspoon of oil. Spread the jackfruit across the skillet. Allow it to brown for about 4 minutes, being careful only to move it once it has browned on one side.
    • Move the jackfruit to one side of the skillet. Then put the remaining teaspoon of oil on the empty side of the skillet. Add the chopped onions and minced garlic. Saute for a minute or two, until fragrant. Then incorporate it with the jackfruit using a spatula.
    • Now it's time to season the jackfruit. Add cumin, ancho chili powder, coriander, and salt. Fully incorporate it with the jackfruit, and cook about a minute. Then add tahini. It makes the jackfruit stickier like pulled pork, and adds protein & fat.
    • Pour ¼ cup of barbecue sauce on the jackfruit mixture, and fully incorporate it. If you'd like a saucier sandwich, add more barbecue sauce to suit your tastes. Cook a minute or two longer, until the barbecue sauce is warm.
    • Put the barbecued jackfruit on warmed burger buns, along with a drizzle of barbecue sauce, and your choice of toppings. Mustard, vegan mayo, vegan ranch dressing, pickles, and/or vegan coleslaw are especially nice.

    Notes

    How to make it without a food processor*
    If you don't have a food processor, that's not an issue. After you wring out the jackfruit in a towel, you can either give it a rough chop. Or break it up with your fingers and put it into the warm oiled skillet. As you cook the jackfruit, further break it up with your spatula.
    Variation ideas:
    Add a shredded carrot for texture and nutrients. Incorporate one shredded carrot to the jackfruit after the spices. You'll likely need to add more barbecue sauce. Continue cooking it until it has reached your preferred level of softness.
    If you like a spicier sandwich, add a dash of hot sauce along with the BBQ sauce for heat.
    If you’re not a fan of tahini, reduce or omit it.
    How to store & reheat
    Leftovers will last in the refrigerator for about 4 days in a covered container. Add more barbecue sauce before warming if it looks too dry. Reheat in the microwave or non-stick skillet until warm.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 263kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 700mg | Potassium: 321mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 3559IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 135mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Tag @cadryskitchen on Instagram and hashtag it #cadryskitchen!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Shell

      January 13, 2022 at 9:11 am

      5 stars
      Such a great recipe! I love your suggestion to add shredded carrot.

      Reply
      • Cadry Nelson

        January 13, 2022 at 10:15 am

        So glad you liked it! Yes, it can be nice to sneak in some more veggies with the carrot.

        Reply
    2. Bill Brackin

      February 25, 2022 at 1:33 pm

      5 stars
      Very tasty and satisfying! Surprisingly close to real pork BBQ in flavor.

      Reply
      • Cadry Nelson

        March 05, 2022 at 4:04 pm

        I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe, Bill!

        Reply
    3. Earlene

      May 11, 2022 at 11:34 am

      5 stars
      I made this a few weeks ago, using your barbecue sauce and it was amazing! I have been trying all of the jackfruit recipes after buying 6 cans at Trader Joe’s. A woman in the aisle asked me what I was going to use it for, so I referred her to your blog. This one might be my favorite, but they have all been so good, it would be a hard call.

      Reply
      • Cadry Nelson

        May 12, 2022 at 1:30 pm

        Aw, that’s so nice to hear, Earlene! Thanks for talking me up at Trader Joe’s. I may have to hire you for my promotions team. 😉

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Cadry!

    I’m a longtime vegan. (14 years!) But I grew up eating a Standard American Diet. I know that all of us crave foods that are familiar, comforting, and delicious.

    That’s why it’s my passion to share mouthwatering plant-based recipes that taste like home.

    More about me →

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    Salads

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    Easy weeknight meals

    • Air fryer baked potato in about 35 minutes
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    • Buffalo chickpea sandwich with vegan blue cheese
    • Three bean chili: Warm up with a bowl
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