BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches
Young green jackfruit is simmered in a smoky-sweet barbecue sauce until tender, then shredded and piled onto buns with coleslaw. Because unripe jackfruit has a fibrous, meaty texture, it pulls apart much like slow-cooked pork once it has absorbed the sauce. The whole recipe takes about 45 minutes on the stovetop.
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Wooden spoon
- Mixing bowl
- Tongs
Ingredients
For the BBQ Jackfruit Filling:
- 2 cans young green jackfruit in brine each can 20 oz; rinse and drain well, remove seeds if desired
- 1 tbsp olive oil extra virgin preferred
- 1 medium yellow onion finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp ground cumin
- ⅛ tsp black pepper freshly cracked, to taste
- 1 cup vegan BBQ sauce use your favorite smoky/sweet brand
For Serving:
- 4 pieces vegan burger buns soft whole wheat or brioche-style buns preferred
- 1 cup vegan coleslaw optional, prepared fresh or store-bought
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar for extra tang, optional
Instructions
- Drain, rinse, and pat dry the jackfruit. Use your fingers or forks to pull apart the jackfruit chunks until they resemble shredded meat. Remove any seeds or tough core pieces if desired.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C). Add the diced onion and sauté for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until translucent and golden at the edges.
- Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant. Then stir in the paprika, cumin, and black pepper. Cook for another 30 seconds to bloom the spices.
- Add the shredded jackfruit to the skillet and stir to coat evenly in the spices. Cook for another 5 minutes to lightly brown the jackfruit.
- Pour in the vegan BBQ sauce and reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered for 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has reduced and thickened. Add apple cider vinegar toward the end for added tang, if using.
- Toast the burger buns lightly, if desired. Pile the jackfruit onto each bun and top with crunchy vegan coleslaw. Serve immediately, hot and juicy.
Notes
- For extra smokiness, add a couple of drops of liquid smoke in the final 5 minutes of cooking.
- To make the dish gluten-free, use gluten-free buns and ensure your BBQ sauce is free from gluten-containing ingredients.
- You can prep the jackfruit mixture up to 2 days in advance—reheat gently on the stovetop before serving.
Nutrition
Calories: 306kcalCarbohydrates: 68gProtein: 2gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 762mgPotassium: 395mgFiber: 3gSugar: 26gVitamin A: 429IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 105mgIron: 1mg
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