Vegan BBQ sandwiches are filled with saucy shredded Soy Curls that have been cooked in an air fryer or skillet.
They’re topped with a mound of cool and crunchy coleslaw.
This saucy vegan BBQ sandwich has all of the hearty chewiness you’re looking for in a barbecue sandwich.
Plus, it’s topped with a cooling dollop of vegan coleslaw for added crunch & creaminess.
While BBQ jackfruit is endlessly popular for sandwiches, when you’re in the mood for something different, there’s something very special about what Soy Curls can do.
I love the bite, chew, and satiating nature of Soy Curls. They get a wonderful crispiness around the edges. And they’re packed with protein.
The sandwich is finished with a simple coleslaw topping.
The end result is a satisfying sandwich that’s a delightful balance of smoky, sweet, and tangy.
In this post:
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you will need to make this recipe.
Soy Curls: Soy Curls are made with just one ingredient – non-GMO whole soybeans. They are texturized into shreds & dried.
Look for Soy Curls at Natural Grocers, online, or in the bulk bins of some vegan-friendly grocery stores.
Tip: Once opened, remember to store Soy Curls in the refrigerator or freezer, because they don’t have any preservatives in them.
Vegan barbecue sauce: You can use store-bought or homemade barbecue sauce. Read the ingredient label & check for non-vegan ingredients like Worcestershire sauce, which can include anchovies.
Bouillon: Better Than Bouillon no chicken base is my favorite. Or water + bouillon can be replaced with vegetable broth.
Oil (optional): If you’re making this recipe in the air fryer, no oil is required. If you’re making it in a skillet, a little oil is helpful for browning.
Vegan mayonnaise: Vegenaise is my favorite, but use any eggless mayo you enjoy.
White wine vinegar: This adds tang while not overpowering. It can be replaced with brown rice vinegar.
Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed is best.
Seasonings: Granulated onion, granulated garlic, and salt.
Shredded cabbage mix: Pre-shredded cabbage mix is a nice timesaver. I usually buy the kind from Trader Joe’s that’s made with a mix of purple and green cabbage, as well as carrots. (It’s one of my favorite vegan Trader Joe’s products.)
Look for bagged cabbage mix that is colorful and crisp, not dried out or brown, and without any extra moisture in the bag.
If you’d prefer to cut cabbage by hand, though, go for it! Just add a few extra minutes to the preparation time in the recipe below.
Step by step instructions
Here’s how to make this recipe at a glance. For complete ingredient amounts & instructions, keep scrolling to the recipe card below.
Start by making vegan pulled pork.
First, hydrate Soy Curls in broth. Then drain, and pull them apart like string cheese.
Finally, cook them twice in a skillet or air fryer. (The first time cook them by themselves, and the second with barbecue sauce.)
While the vegan pulled pork is cooking, make the vegan coleslaw.
Simply combine shredded cabbage mix with the following:
- Vegan mayo
- White wine vinegar
- Lemon juice
- Granulated garlic
- Granulated onion
- Salt
If you like, toast halved buns in a dry skillet or air fryer until lightly browned.
Then fill with vegan pulled pork & coleslaw. Finish with another spoonful of barbecue sauce.
A drizzle of vegan ranch dressing wouldn’t go amiss here either!
Can I make it ahead of time?
If you’d like to make the sandwich ahead of time, I recommend making the various components, and storing them separately in the refrigerator in covered containers.
Coleslaw softens over time, which can look a little like shrinking.
So if you want to make coleslaw a day or so ahead of time, I recommend doubling the listed coleslaw recipe.
(Or just follow my vegan coleslaw recipe, which is a double batch of what’s listed below.)
Barbecued Soy Curls are best the same day.
They get a little chewier in the refrigerator over time. However, they’re still good on a sandwich.
Just add more barbecue sauce to them before reheating in the microwave or a pot on the stove until warm.
Serving ideas
These filling sandwiches are terrific with any of the following side dishes:
If you try this recipe and love it, let me know! Leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the comment section below. It truly makes my day and is such a help!
📖 Recipe
Vegan BBQ Sandwich
Ingredients
Vegan coleslaw topping
- 1 Tablespoon vegan mayonnaise plus more for topping sandwich if you like
- ¼ teaspoon white wine vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon lemon juice
- ⅛ teaspoon granulated garlic
- ⅛ teaspoon granulated onion
- Pinch of salt
- 1 cup shredded cabbage mix
BBQ Soy Curls sandwich
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 teaspoon vegetarian Better Than Bouillon no chicken base
- 1 cup Soy Curls
- ¼ cup BBQ sauce plus more for drizzling on sandwich
- 1 teaspoon avocado oil divided (Only if cooking in skillet)
- 2 sandwich buns
Instructions
To make vegan coleslaw
- Combine vegan mayonnaise, white wine vinegar, lemon juice, granulated garlic, granulated onion, and pinch of salt in bowl. Add shredded cabbage mix and thoroughly combine.
- Set aside or cover & put in the refrigerator if making the sandwiches at a later time.
To make BBQ Soy Curls sandwich
- Soak Soy Curls in water water & bouillon in a bowl for 10 minutes. Drain them in mesh sieve, squeezing out all excess water.
- Move them to a bowl, and physically pull apart the hydrated Curls into shreds, like shredding string cheese.
- TO COOK IN AN AIR FRYER: Air fry the Soy Curls for 3 minutes at 400 degrees. Remove them from air fryer, move them back to the bowl, toss in ¼ cup of BBQ sauce, and stir them. Make sure all of the curls gets evenly coated. Return to air fryer. Air fry 5 minutes at 400 degrees, stopping twice to shake pan.
- TO COOK IN A SKILLET: Bring skillet to a medium heat with ½ teaspoon oil. Add the hydrated & squeezed Soy Curls to the pan, and fry for 3 minutes, until they are dry and slightly crisp. Remove them from skillet and move them back to the bowl. Toss them with ¼ cup of barbecue sauce, making sure each Curl gets evenly coated. Put the remaining ½ teaspoon oil in skillet, and cook the Curls for 4 minutes longer. Don't move them too much, so that they can get some nice dark marks on them.
- Toast bun halves in a warm skillet with the cut side down or in the air fryer. (If you're cooking the vegan pulled pork in the air fryer, just put the buns into the basket during the last couple of minutes.) Once they are toasty brown, remove from heat and set aside.
- Now it's time to compile your sandwiches. Top two of the buns with any optional toppings like additional barbecue sauce, eggless mayo, vegan ranch dressing, pickle slices, and/or chopped onions.
- Add a few generous spoonfuls of vegan pulled pork, and then a mound of coleslaw. Cover the sandwiches with the remaining buns and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Content updated May 28, 2024. Originally posted March 8, 2018.
Becky Striepe
These soy curls are seriously easy and so delicious! I made them in my air fryer, and I’m addicted!
Cadry
Aw, that’s terrific, Becky! I’m so glad you are loving them as much as I am.
Shell
I recently heard about a BBQ fundraiser that takes place in DSM each summer. The organizer said they received feedback that people would like more vegan options, so a restaurant brought a dish made with jackfruit last year. I should clue them in that they need to try soy curls instead. 🙂
Cadry
That’s terrific that a BBQ fundraiser in Des Moines was getting requests for more plant-based options!
Sarah
I want to be eating this right now! Looks so good, Cadry!
Cadry
Thanks, Sarah!
Dianne
I’m with you on the jackfruit issue. It’s okay, but I would much rather have soy curls. This sandwich looks amazing! I have a bag of soy curls in the fridge just waiting for the perfect recipe, and I think this is it!
Cadry
Yes, when jackfruit started getting popular in the vegan community around 2009, I remember driving out of my way to a place in Los Angeles that was selling it in a burrito. It looked really cool, but texture-wise it was a disappointment. I’ve had it many times since then, and certain dishes were more successful than others. However, I’d almost always rather have Soy Curls or seitan. I hope you enjoy the sandwich if you decide to make it!
Sarah De la Cruz
Gah! This looks SO good! I also LOVE soy curls, and completely agree with you about jackfruit—the look is right on, but it’s not super filling, and doesn’t have the right mouth feel (and apparently I am now one of those people who says mouth feel! 😀 ) Adding your sandwich to my menu this week—we always keep a stash of soy curls on hand!
Cadry
I’m glad you’re with me on jackfruit! In a certain vegan recipes group on Facebook, people are often asking where to find jackfruit. I always want them to tell them, it’s really not worth the bother. I’m excited to hear what you think of the sandwich!
Becky Striepe
Oh my gosh! As if I needed an excuse to make these soy curls again. Sandwich goals!
Cadry
Yay! I hope you enjoy it, Becky!
Christina
Never heard of soy curls. Where are they available?
Cadry
You can buy them online, or they are sold at some grocery stores. I’m able to find them locally at Natural Grocers. I give more info about Soy Curls in this post.