As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

A vegan pulled pork sandwich is easy to make with jackfruit. This bbq jackfruit sandwich recipe is cooked on the stove and then in the oven to give the shredded filling a slightly crisp that tastes amazing when served up on a bun. 

Estimated Cost Per Serving: $1.05

completed BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich against a white surface

Introducing the best vegan pulled pork sandwich!! BBQ jackfruit makes the perfect vegan stand-in for meat bbq! This vegan bbq recipe has the texture and lots of bbq flavor to make the taste pretty authentic.

Make it into a meal with all your favorite vegan bbq side dishes such as vegan coleslaw, potato salad, and pinto beans.

Want more bbq and comfort food recipes? I think you’re going to love this collection of veggie burgers or this bbq tempeh sandwich.

Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email & get this sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get great new recipes from us every week!

Why This Recipe Works

  • Always a hit: A BBQ jackfruit sandwich is everyone’s favorite at the dinner table!
  • Simple recipe: Making bbq pulled jackfruit requires only a handful of ingredients that any level cook can master!
  • Authentic flavors: Jackfruit pulled pork sandwiches means you can enjoy all the bbq flavors you love without the meat.

What is Jackfruit?

This fruit, known as the world’s largest fruit, is related to breadfruit and figs. It is typically grown in Africa, South America, and Asia.

Green jackfruit or unripe jackfruit is most like a vegetable and is predominantly used in vegan cooking as a vegan pork substitute or other similar meats. Its stringy texture makes it similar to meat and it has a neutral flavor that absorbs whatever flavorings you add. It isn’t a huge source of protein but is full of lots of other nutrients.

Most often it is available canned in the United States. Its popularity these days makes it much easier to find and you can even sometimes buy it fresh in markets.

If you like this ingredient you can also cook Jackfruit Carnitas or Jackfruit Chicken Noodle Soup.

What Goes Into This Recipe

Less than 10 ingredients are all you need to make veggie pulled pork. Many are basic, easy-to-find ingredients and even pantry staples you may already have in your kitchen.

  • Vegetable Oil
  • Yellow Onion: The perfect aromatic to bring out the extra flavor to the dish.
  • Green Bell Pepper: Adds tons of fiber and nutrients to the jackfruit mixture.
  • Jackfruit: Look for the green or unripe variety that’s canned packed in water. Many organic or health stores carry this product if you can’t find it in your local grocery store.
  • BBQ sauce: Any vegan bottled barbecue sauce will work. 
  • Buns/Bread: Pick your favorite bun, bread, or roll to serve up your jackfruit bbq sandwich!

How to Make BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich

  • 1) Using your fingers, shred the jackfruit and remove any tough pieces.
  • 2) In a large pan over medium-high heat, heat the oil. Once heated, add the onion and bell pepper and saute until they become tender, about 3 to 4 minutes.
  • 3) Add in the jackfruit and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, adding the BBQ sauce halfway through.
  • 4) Serve ¼ of the prepared jackfruit onto each bun half or bread slice topped with the red cabbage and another slice of bread or bun.

Expert Tips and FAQs

  • Choose green jackfruit: Be sure you use green, unripe jackfruit. Ripe jackfruit has a sweeter flavor and will not work in savory dishes.
  • Rinse and drain: Don’t skip rinsing the canned jackfruit to remove the flavors of the brine it is stored in.
  • BBQ toppings: Add your favorites such as chopped or pickled onions, pickles, jalapeno peppers, or coleslaw.
  • Spicy flavor: The seasoning can make the jackfruit a bit spicy, so if heat is not your thing, use a sweeter BBQ sauce.
What is the BBQ jackfruit texture/taste like?

My experience has been that seasoning unripe, green jackfruit and then cooking it so it has delicious, crispy ends make it the best substitute for pulled pork. It easily absorbs the flavor you add and has the most authentic texture.

What kind of buns do you use for pulled BBQ jackfruit (vegan)?

White buns, like hamburger buns or white sliced bread, are classic in the South for serving up BBQ, but these days any type of bread works well. I prefer a softer roll rather than a hard roll for eating vegan pulled pork.

What Goes With BBQ Jackfruit?

All your favorite side dishes go with this BBQ jackfruit recipe. Here’s some inspiration:

Or serve them up with something new!

More Sandwich Recipes

Photos by Alfonso Revilla

Vegan Pulled Pork Sandwich with BBQ Jackfruit

5 from 33 votes
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 35 minutes
Total: 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
This bbq jackfruit recipe cooks the jackfruit twice. Once on the stove to season it and then in the oven to crisp it up. It makes a great vegan pulled pork sandwich the whole family will love.

Ingredients 

  • 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil optional
  • ½ small yellow onion diced
  • ½ small green bell pepper diced
  • 15 ounces of canned jackfruit drained
  • ¼ to ½ cup of BBQ sauce (depending on your sauce preference)
  • 4 buns or 8 slices of bread
  • Shredded red cabbage

Instructions 

  • Using your fingers, shred the jackfruit and remove any tough pieces.
  • In a large pan over medium-high heat, heat the oil. Once heated, add the onion and bell pepper and saute until they become tender, about 3 to 4 minutes.
  • Add in the jackfruit and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, adding the BBQ sauce halfway through.
  • Serve ¼ of the prepared jackfruit onto each bun half or bread slice topped with the red cabbage and another slice of bread or bun.

Video

Notes

  • Choose green jackfruit: Be sure you use green, unripe jackfruit. Ripe jackfruit has a sweeter flavor and will not work in savory dishes.
  • Rinse and drain: Don’t skip rinsing the canned jackfruit to remove the flavors of the brine it is stored in.
  • BBQ toppings: Add your favorites such as chopped or pickled onions, pickles, jalapeno peppers, or coleslaw.

Nutrition

Calories: 492kcalCarbohydrates: 107gProtein: 16gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.02gSodium: 631mgPotassium: 1781mgFiber: 17gSugar: 34gVitamin A: 7100IUVitamin C: 368mgCalcium: 409mgIron: 8mg

Disclaimer: Although plantbasedonabudget.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Plantbasedonabudget.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.

Additional Info

Author: Terrence Paschal
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: American
Method: Stovetop
Diet: Vegan
Tried this recipe?Please tag us at @PlantBasedOnABudget! 🙂
About

Terrence Paschal

Plant based food, micro brews, punk rock, and running are what I am about.

More about Terrence Paschal

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Heavenly!! I can’t get over how close the texture is to the traditional dish and the taste is amazing. Such a favorite!

  2. 5 stars
    I often make pulled jackfruit. Next time I’m going to try your twice cooked method. I like the idea of crispy bits.