Easy Pulled Jackfruit Sandwiches. Shredded Jackfruit seasoned with bbq seasoning and bbq sauce, baked and served with slaw. 6 Ingredient Vegan Pulled Pork. Nutfree Recipe. Can be gluten-free soy-free
Unripe Jackfruit, a huge fruit commonly found in tropical climates, has a string like shreddable texture which works great in some applications to make vegan version of meaty meals. It is often used to make a pulled “pork” to fill up sandwiches or tacos.
While trying out my soycurl mango bbq tacos, I felt that this short method of directly baking works out best for me. No additional pans, no additional kitchen standing time! Just shred, mix bbq sauce + seasoning, spread and bake. And done! It cannot be simpler than that!
Change it up with different seasonings such as a mix of bbq and cajun, jamaican jerk, taco seasoning etc. This slaw is a basic one with some vegan mayo, pepper, vinegar and sweetener. Make a double helping of the jackfruit and add to sandwiches, tacos or wraps!
More Jackfruit Recipes
- Crispy Jackfruit Tenders So Good
- Easy Jackfruit Curry
- Vegan Tinga bowl with Hearts of Palm, Chickpeas, Spanish Rice – Sub hearts of palm with shredded jackfruit.
- Jackfruit Meatballs Tacos
- Jackfruit Chickpea Coconut Stir Fry
- Jamaican Jerk Jackfruit, Caribbean Bean Wraps.
Step by Step Photos:
Squeeze the jackfruit in a kitchen towel. Then shred with hands or a fork or knife and add to a bowl with onion, garlic, ginger.
Add the bbq spice and bbq sauce and mix. Spread on parchment lined baking sheet and bake.
Tips to make amazing Pulled jackfruit
- Young green jackfruit texture and flavor can be an acquired thing. Adjust the baking time based on your preference of texture. Add more bbq sauce and bake for less time for moist, and bake longer for crisp caramelized.
- Jackfruit is available as ripe as well as unripe. Ripe jackfruit is packed in syrup and is sweet. We need green unripe jackfruit here. It can be found in Asian stores, Indian stores and online on amazon.
- I make my own bbq seasoning/rub. The other seasoning I like is from world spice which is just spices. So use 2 tbsp and add a tbsp of sugar. You can also add a bit of liquid smoke for smokey profile.
- You want to squeeze the jackfruit as much as possible to remove the brine flavor. Then mix and marinate for a bit if you wish in the bbq sauce + seasoning. Add a bit of broth for additional moisture if needed, then bake.
Recipe Card
Vegan Pulled Jackfruit Sandwiches
Ingredients
Pulled Jackfruit
- 2 20 oz cans (2 cans) young green unripe jackfruit (packed in brine or water not syrup). Each can is 20 oz. you need 2 cans. So a total of 40 oz , it’s white or beigeish white
- 1/2 (0.5) medium red onion thinly sliced
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp minced ginger
- 1/4 tsp (0.25 tsp) salt or more, depending on taste
- 2 to 3 tbsp (2 to 3 tbsp) bbq seasoning , add 1 tablespoon sugar if the seasoning is just spices. Use 3 tablespoons if the seasoning already contains sugar. See notes for recipe
- 3/4 cup (214.5 g) bbq sauce , plus more for dressing
Easy Slaw
- 3 cups (210 g) slaw mix (I use shredded cabbage, carrot, brussel sprouts, baby kale mix)
- 1/4 cup (56 g) vegan mayo
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
- 1/2 tbsp (0.5 tbsp) maple syrup or sugar to taste
- dashes of salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Drain the jackfruit. Place in a thick kitchen towel, fold and squeeze out as much liquid as possible. This will shred some of the jackfruit. Slice the rest using a knife or separate using hands until somewhat shredded. Remove any hard seeds if any (There are rarely hard seeds in the canned version. The tender seedbox and stem area are all edible).
- Add the jackfruit to a large bowl with sliced onion, garlic and ginger. Add bbq seasoning and sugar mixture, and salt and mix well.
- Add 1/2 to 2/3 cup bbq sauce and mix. Add 2 tbsp veggie broth if the bbq sauce is too thick and mix in (I use 2 tbsp of broth to clean out the mixing bowl after transferring to the baking dish). Spread the mixture in a large baking dish (parchment lined).
- Bake at 400 deg F For 30 minutes. Shred some of the larger pieces by pressing with a spatula. Taste and adjust salt, sweet, heat at this point. Add some salt, sugar/maple syrup and cayenne for heat if needed and mix in and move the jackfruit around.
- Spread well again and continue to bake for another 15 to 25 mins (depends on moisture content, pan/oven and preferred texture.) I like some edges caramelized and crispy)
- Prepare your buns tacos and slaw. Mix everything under slaw. Taste and adjust flavor. Chill for 15 mins and use.
- Mix in 2 to 4 tbsp bbq sauce into the baked jackfruit and assemble the sandwiches with generous layers of jackfruit, more bbq sauce, slaw. You can also fill this in wraps or tacos.
Video
Notes
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika or a mix of sweet and smoked or Use 2 tsp paprika and 1/2 -1 tsp Ancho chili,
- 1/2 tsp ground chipotle pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp oregano/parsley or half of each,
- 3/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp thyme
- 1/2 tsp cumin ground /coriander
- 1/4 tsp celery seed cayenne, black pepper (optional add ins)
- 1 tbsp coconut sugar optional
HH
5 out of 5 stars! This is a favorite at my house and it’s easy to make and so delicious!
Tara
The BBQ seasoning mix that you linked and the one you wrote below are different. Which do you recommend for this recipe?
Jade
First time making my own BBQ jackfruit and this was incredible! Definitely will be making it again. 🙂
I made half the recipe and didn’t need the full baking time to get some caramelization on the jackfruit and onions. I turned once at 15 mins and it only took about 30 mins total!
Vegan Richa Support
yay!! 💕 Jackfruit
Pamela
This turned out amazing! Thanks for sharing your recipe 🙌
**Perhaps proofreading and correcting the directions for this recipe would make it easier to follow..
Vegan Richa Support
thx, was there an issue ?
Leisa
I’m really confused with the BBQ seasoning! why are all the ingredients jumbled all together into one long run-on sentence that we can’t understand? does the recipe call for ancho chile and then the other ingredients that come after it, or does the ancho chile comprise of all the ingredients that follow it? I’m trying to fix this for several people so I’m not trying to make a huge mistake and I’m really trying to figure out the ingredients; but it’s not helpful the way it is listed. the BBQ seasonal should have it’s own recipe so that we can understand what it is.
Richa
It has bullets I think something in design changes mixed that up. I updated it.
Lisa
I actual tried the instant pot version of this recipe from your new cookbook, but it keeps giving a burn warning even though I sprayed with oil and mixed thoroughly. It would not get to pressure because of this even though I opened and scraped the bottom multiple times. I gave up and am now baking it. Any suggestions? I did add water too…
Richa
It’s the pot. Sometimes they r just too sensitive or best unevenly. I have 3 and 1 doesn’t give issues, 1 heats a bit too much on one edge and that can sometimes scorch some thicker recipes and give burn. The third first heat enough at all. Sometimes using a different inner pot also alleviates the problem. You can bake it like this recipe. For instant pot, cook it pot in pot. Add all ingredients to a smaller pan, Don’t add any extra water. cover thab pan with a lid or foil. Add 2 cups water to the inner pot. Put the pan on the trivet and lower it in. Pressure cook double the time.
Elaine
Made this and hubby gives it a 10! He ate two sandwiches. I used fresh jackfruit.
Vegan Richa Support
excellent!
Maz
This was delicious! Will definitely make again. Didn’t use broth. My husband had two! Thank you!
Vegan Richa Support
yay
Julie
Very flavorful… my first time working with jackfruit and it was a success. Thanks!
Richa
Yay
Serena Patel
Love this recipe!!!! My non vegan friends were so impressed, I love that it’s simple too, no hobs or pans.
Vegan Richa Support
That’s great news! Thank you for the great review!
Priya Kanabar
Hi Richa!
I’m thinking about making this for a camping trip this weekend. If I’m going to make it in advance and heat up later on the camp stove should I just reduce the baking time and add some extra Bbq sauce and water when I heat up?
Vegan Richa Support
That should work perfectly! 🙂
Dani
This is one of my fams fave recipes! Its easy and super yummy 😋
Vegan Richa Support
Awesome ! thank you
Janet
Love this recipe, I cook longer than the recommended time to get it crispy. It definitely needs the tablespoon of sugar, I use brown coconut sugar. Even my husband who is not a jackfruit fan loves it.
Vegan Richa Support
sounds great! well, seems like he’s a new fan now. thank you for the awesome rating Janet =)
Rani
It’s a lovely recipe I’ll get jackfruit make I like jackfruit thanks Richa
Nan Hedrick
Delicious sub for pulled pork! After I finally found canned jack fruit at Whole Foods, one can made 2 sandwiches, perfect for hubs and me. I think I’ll cut the bake time down a little since it was getting too dry and crispy and had to add more BBQ sauce. But great texture and flavor which was of course from my favorite BBQ sauce!! I used Penzeys BBQ3001 spice and a sugar-free BBQ sauce I found at Safeway. The red onion, garlic, and ginger gave it just the right tang. Thanks for posting!!
Richa
Awesome! Yes adjust to preference, pans and ovens matter and texture preference. These r super easy!
Chasity
Hello, going to try these this weekend. Not really a fan of shredded soft meat. Does cooking in the oven ensure a more firm jackfruit? Is that why you cook in the over instead of stove top? I want to prevent the soft tender shredded texture.
Richa
Yes exactly! I am in the same camp so I bake them until most are crispy. You can adjust bake time to get the texture you prefer.
Chasity
Great! this won’t dry it out will it? Or do I just need to add more bbq once removed from the oven?
Richa
You have to add more bbq sauce, see recipe instructions
Becky
Dear Richa
I love all your creations ! I believe once i saw a Recipe with Pulled Oats but i cant find it anymore . Do you have the link?
I might be mistaken in that could you invent yours delicious curry made with pulled oats? Looking forward to cook more of your super tasty curries!!
Keep blogging and stay healthy 🙂
Vegan Richa Support
Hi Becky, Thank you. Pulled Oats are a really cool option almost like the new jackfruit! Good idea – I’ll start experimenting but haven’t posted anything previously.
Becky
Super thanks for your feedback i have been browsing your page for days as you are a big inspiration for my cooking experiments!!! Cant waite to see your recipe with indian curry and pulled oats or hennep seeds kofta keep me posted.
Shelby
This recipe was incredible! The best texture I’ve found so far. I cooked about 10 minutes less as I was using a convection oven.
Richa
yay
Pat
Made this today to have for dinner tonight, I even made the BBQ spice from your other recipe. Came out so good. I definitely think making the spice myself gave it so much added flavor. I .do agree that I like the JF cooked longer and crispy. Thank you for your wonderful recipes
Angie Broyles
We loved this! It was very easy and came out great! The jackfruit from Trader Joe’s was easy to use.
Richa
awesome!
Laura
I made this recipe this week and it was so good. The technique to squeeze the brine out and then bake is the key. I will make this again!! I wonder how a taco seasoning plus enchilada sauce would work for a variation on your idea?
Richa
yes exactly. taco seasoning + enchilada sauce will work amazingly as well. i made the chili lime jackfruit with tomato base and taco seasoning. it was fab veganricha.com/?s=jackfruit
Michelle C
Absolutely amazing ! So simple. Thank you Richa for this recipe and for including a link to your BBQ seasoning recipe and the dressing for the coleslaw. It all turned about perfectly. My husband wanted seconds. This will be a new meal in our house. To shred the jack fruit I threw it in the food processor with the S blade and it worked great, just pulse. I used HAK’S Habanero Pineapple BBQ sauce, I usually like to make my own, but sometimes cutting corners is necessary. Thanks again!!!
Richa
yay!!
Diane
This sandwich was delicious. I will definitely be making again. My husband like so much he ate 3 sandwiches. Thanks for the recipe.
Richa
awesome!!
Nikki
These jackfruit sandwiches were so flavorful and the texture was on point! I’ve always wondered if baking jackfruit would give it the texture I prefer, and this recipe proved it would. This recipe is a keeper!
Richa
yay!
Holly
Yum. Great flavor and texture. So easy too. I’ve made a few different versions of bbq pulled jackfruit but this one is awesome
Richa
yay!
Patty
I just saw this comment now. I’ve always hated recipes with jackfruit, but this one inspired me. And I live in Michigan! Curious – in what small town did you get the jackfruit sandwich? Thanks!
Els
Just cooked this and it was the first time I cook with Jackfruit – way too simple, I don’t know what I was worried about! And the recipe is on point, tastes amazing!! I’m definitely making this again – and again… Thank you!
Richa
yay! i know right, no simmering for hours needed!
Karina
Hi! How many people will this recipe serve on average?
Thanks:) I love your recipes
Richa
2 to 4 depending on their appetite and what you are serving as sides.
Melody
Richa, check your wording about adding the sugar. I think you meant add 1 T sugar if already has sugar and vice a versa? Cant wait to try. Have 2 cans sitting on the shelf.
Richa
the other way around. Some bbq seasonings are just spice while some are spice + sugar. If the seasoning doesnt have sugar, then add some sugar. If it has sugar, then dont and add later while tasting if needed
Nan
Can you share your BBQ seasonong recipe or did I miss it here?
vivek garg
Recipe links to this one https://www.veganricha.com/2017/08/bbq-sweet-potato-pizza.html
Melissa
This turned out to be delicious. Thanks for the recipe! I’ll make it again.
Richa
yay!
Lorraine
This was a fun new try for us. Jack Fruit Wow! Our family thought this was an excellent recipe. The coleslaw is a perfect addition – don’t skip it!
Richa
awesome!
Jessica Bacho
Hi! We are replicating this recipe bit with a whole fresh jackfruit. How do we measure the seasonings? Do we go add the specific measurements by each pound of jackfruit?
Richa
The drained jackfruit is 10 oz (280g ) per can. So you can peel and chop the jackfruit and then measure out 20 oz or 560 gm and use
Amanda
Ok so this is a winner of a recipe for sure , so easy and so delicious . My fam loved it 👌
Richa
yay!
Andrea Biedron
Is this in your advertised cookbook? I have the cookbook at home but it would be nice to know that it’s already in there…I’m at work and hate to waste paper printing this recipe out if it’s already in print at home! 😛
Richa
The book was written in 2016 and early 2017, so recipes after mid 2017 on the blog are all new and not in the book :). there are other jackfruit recipes in the book like jackfruit firecracker sandwich, tinga jackfruit etc
Barbra
Hi Richa, I have a jar of jack fruit at home, but I will have a look if it’s in syrup or water. If I convert it with your metric, is it correct that 2 20 oz is 40 cans of jack fruit? That seems to me like a lot….
If I use a converter on Google, it says it’s around 60 ml?
Richa
no 🙂 its just 2 cans. 40 oz total since most cans are 20 oz cans. i’ll add more detail there
Karen
Love your cooking videos!
Suggest that you correct the recipe, which Barbra noted reads 2 cans 20 oz. (40 cans). As noted it should be (40 oz.).
Richa
updated it. the widget does the metric conversion and sometimes picks up the wrong qualifier. like cans instead of oz here. thanks for letting meknow. While editing, the metric conversion is a different tab so it isnt obvious to me until i see the published post on the blog.
ilana
what about using fresh jackfruit? I have noticed it on sale in my neighborhood but never cooked with it. would it work with this dish or other dishes of yours ? how woudl it be different?
Richa
yes definitely.You just wont need to squeeze it. If the fresh jakfruit is already peeled and hard stem removed, then just Shred and use!
Olivia
The only thing with the fresh jackfruit is that it is usually ripe and then it is sweet and has an apple/ mango flavor. I don’t like that in my savory dishes but maybe try both. Thank you Richa! I really didn’t like it on the stove top and am grateful for your baking insights! I’ve had it prepared and it was perfect but making it myself has been a learning curve! Thank you!
Lisa is Planted365
These look great! I was pleasantly surprised to find these on the menu of a small town restaurant in Michigan, of all places. It was the only vegan thing on their menu. I love it now, but it’s definitely an acquired taste! I think they’re better the longer they cook.
Richa
yes i dont like the texture when cooked onthe stove top. The baked caramelized jackfruit is so much better!
Andrea Biedron
I agree, if it is not prepared properly, it is an acquired taste. However thorough rinsing of the jackfruit and you CAN make it taste EXACTLY like BBQ pulled pork. I’ve had it made ‘right’ and I’ve had it made ‘wrong’. I sent it back when they get it wrong. Rinse rinse rinse the pulpy fruit!
Richa
yes definitely rinseand squeeze out all the brine. the brine is weird tasting