Young jackfruit is shredded and slow-cooked in smoky barbecue sauce until it pulls apart much like pulled pork, then piled onto a sturdy bun. The whole sandwich comes together in about 45 minutes and works well with coleslaw or pickles on top. It is a straightforward, crowd-friendly meal built around bold Southern-style BBQ flavors.
2cansyoung green jackfruitin brine or water, drained and rinsed
1tbspolive oilextra virgin
1cupyellow onionfinely chopped
2clovesgarlicminced
1cupvegan BBQ saucestore-bought or homemade
1tbspsmoked paprika
1tspchili powder
4bunshamburger bunsvegan
1cupcoleslawready-made or homemade
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Instructions
Using clean hands, shred the drained jackfruit into thin strips, removing any seeds. The fibrous texture should mimic shredded meat.
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and garlic, sautéing until softened and golden brown, about 5-7 minutes.
Add the jackfruit to the skillet, stirring in smoked paprika and chili powder until well combined. Cook for another 2 minutes until the spices are fragrant.
Pour in the BBQ sauce and stir to coat the jackfruit thoroughly. Simmer for approximately 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and envelops the jackfruit.
Toast the vegan buns lightly under a broiler or in a toaster for added texture.
Assemble the sandwiches by placing a generous portion of jackfruit BBQ on the bottom half of each bun. Top with coleslaw for a refreshing crunch, then crown with the bun top.
Notes
For added depth of flavor, consider adding a splash of liquid smoke to the jackfruit BBQ mix. If you prefer spicier sandwiches, add cayenne pepper to taste.