Vegan Pulled Pork Sandwiches with BBQ Jackfruit

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

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.

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.

• 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.
• Smoked paprika, cajun seasoning, garlic powder: Easy pantry staple spices make up the seasoning mixture to coat the jackfruit and give it some flavor.
• Fresh garlic and diced onion: Aromatics that add more depth of flavor to the dish.
• BBQ sauce: Any vegan bottled barbecue sauce will work. 
• Liquid smoke: Optional but it gives the sauce a bit more smoky flavor
• Bread or roll: Pick your favorite roll or bun to serve up your jackfruit bbq sandwich!

How to Make BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich

• 1) To get started preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. While it’s heating, open up the jackfruit and rinse under cold water.  Remove the bottom triangle section of the jackfruit. Let the excess water drain off the jackfruit.

• 2) In a small bowl, mix the paprika, cajun seasoning, and garlic powder together.

• 3) Place the jackfruit in a bowl with the minced garlic and diced onion. Add the seasoning mixture and toss until evenly coated.

• 4) Add the jackfruit mixture to a nonstick pan and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

• 5) Add the BBQ sauce and continue to cook for 15 minutes.

• 6) Transfer the jackfruit mixture from the pan to a nonstick baking sheet and bake in the oven for 10 minutes.

• 7) When it’s ready, add it to your bun and top with your favorite vegan bbq sandwich toppings.

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 Goes With BBQ Jackfruit?

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

• Macaroni and cheese
• Corn on the cob
• Cabbage with creamy coleslaw dressing
• Regular or sweet potato fries or sesame fries
• Potato wedges

Or serve them up with something new!

• Carrot fries
• Rainbow slaw
• Southwest quinoa salad

More Sandwich Recipes

Tofu Pesto Sandwich

Easy Vegan Mushrooms Sandwich

Vegan Vietnamese Báhn Mi Sandwich

Buffalo Tofu Sandwich

Sweet Potato and Jalapeno Burger

Photos by Alfonso Revilla