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Make quick, hearty BBQ jackfruit sandwiches with smoky-sweet BBQ jackfruit ‘pulled pork’ and shredded cabbage—a satisfying, budget-friendly, vegan meal perfect for lunch or dinner!
Why Try BBQ Jackfruit Pulled Pork Sandwiches
If you’ve never tried jackfruit, now’s the perfect time. Canned young jackfruit is easier than ever to find and incredibly versatile, with a tender texture and neutral flavor that soaks up whatever seasonings you cook it with. When paired with BBQ sauce, onion, and peppers, it transforms into a deliciously smoky, hearty vegan pulled pork, perfect with cabbage or vegan coleslaw in BBQ jackfruit sandwiches.
Not only is it easy to work with, jackfruit is packed with nutrients—containing some of every essential vitamin and mineral, 3 grams of protein per cup, and a healthy dose of antioxidants. Combine it with just a handful of inexpensive pantry ingredients to whip up hearty BBQ jackfruit sandwiches that are big on flavor but easy on the wallet!
Looking for more vegan jackfruit recipes? You might enjoy slow cooker jackfruit carnitas, vegan jackfruit chicken noodle soup, and/or jackfruit lettuce cups.
Ingredient Notes
Refer to the recipe card for the full list of ingredients, substitutes, and quantities.
Recipe Variations
- Extra spices: Want extra savory depth? Try adding a couple dashes of garlic and onion powder, paprika, and optional chili powder – like in my vegan BBQ jackfruit recipe.
- Liquid smoke: Bump up the smokiness further with just a few drops.
- Spice: Add some chili powder, cayenne pepper, or hot sauce.
- Protein: Add chickpeas/white beans (slightly mashed) or shredded tofu.
How To Make BBQ Pulled Jackfruit
Keep scrolling to the recipe card for the complete list of ingredients and recipe instructions.
Step 1: First, drain and shred the jackfruit using your fingers or a fork, removing any tough core bits. Also, finely dice the bell pepper and onion.
Step 2: Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, sauté the onion and bell pepper until tender (3-4 minutes). Add jackfruit and sauté for 8-10 minutes, adding the BBQ sauce after 4 minutes.
Step 3: To assemble jackfruit BBQ sandwiches, use ¼ of the BBQ jackfruit ‘pulled pork’ per sandwich, topping it with shredded cabbage. Enjoy!
Enjoy vegan pulled pork sandwiches alone, with oven-baked sesame fries, vegan cornbread in iron skilled , and/or a summer pasta salad.
Pro Recipe Notes
- Use the right jackfruit: Use young green jackfruit in water (or brine if rinsed thoroughly) for the correct flavor/texture. Ripe jackfruit or jackfruit in syrup will be too sweet.
- For crispier jackfruit: Let it cook undisturbed for a while to sear. Alternatively, spread the cooked BBQ jackfruit across a pan and bake at 400F/200C for 15-20 minutes.
- Make it in advance: This vegan pulled pork will taste even better on day two once the flavors have a chance to meld.
FAQs
Technically, no. Although tough, they become somewhat tender when cooked – just not as much as the rest of the fruit. They don’t ‘shred’ in the same way, either, so fine slicing is required if using.
Aside from a tasty jackfruit BBQ sandwich, you can use it in place of shredded chicken/pork for BBQ jackfruit tacos/burritos, over this cheesy vegan mac n’ cheese or a baked potato, across a vegan BBQ pizza, etc.
Young green jackfruit is a great meat substitute because, like tofu, it has a mild flavor that picks up flavors well. That, combined with its stringy, tender texture, makes it a tasty pulled chicken/pork alternative despite the fact it doesn’t taste exactly the same.
Vegan Pulled Pork Sandwich Toppings
- Shredded cabbage or vegan coleslaw
- Pineapple rings (fresh or grilled)
- Lettuce
- Tomato slices
- Quick easy refrigerator pickles or pickled red onions
- Avocado (try this easy avocado spread or try it sliced)
- Crispy fried onions
Storage Instructions
Leave the BBQ jackfruit to cool and store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days OR in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Reheat it in a skillet over medium-low, in the oven at 350F/177C, or, for the softest results, microwave in 30-second increments, stirring in between.
20-Minute BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches
Video
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil
- 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.
Notes
- Use the right jackfruit: Use young green jackfruit in water (or brine if rinsed thoroughly) for the correct flavor/texture. Ripe jackfruit or jackfruit in syrup will be too sweet.
- For crispier jackfruit: Let it cook undisturbed for a while to sear. Alternatively, spread the cooked BBQ jackfruit across a pan and bake at 400F/200C for 15-20 minutes.
- Make it in advance: This vegan pulled pork will taste even better on day two once the flavors have a chance to meld.
The best jackfruit sandwich! So good!
The video shows it being baked but the recipe doesn’t include those instructions??
Yummy looks delicious!
You’d love this one 🙂
Yes, please! What a brilliant sandwich recipe!
Agreed! It’s too good!
Heavenly!! I can’t get over how close the texture is to the traditional dish and the taste is amazing. Such a favorite!
Right?! The texture gets me every time!
This sounds great, I can’t wait to try it!
Let us know what you think 🙂
I love jackfruit recipes, and am excited to add this into the rotation!
Same! Jackfruit recipes are my fave!
Loveeee this jackfruit recipe so much! So tasty!
I often make pulled jackfruit. Next time I’m going to try your twice cooked method. I like the idea of crispy bits.
So good! Pulled jackfruit is the best and the crispiness is spot on!
Jackfruit recipes are my favorite, and this was delicious!!
Same! Can’t go wrong with jackfruit!
totally hit the spot. I can’t believe how delicious jackfruit could be!
Hit the spot for me and the fam too! So good!