Ever wondered what to make with jackfruit? Well look no further: these Pulled Jackfruit Sandwiches are a vegan-ized version of a traditional BBQ pulled chicken or pulled pork sandwich. When prepared this way, jack fruit has a super-meaty texture and is so easy to prepare.
If you are looking for a hearty, flavor-packed, plant-based sandwich - this recipe is definitely for you. So, please grab a napkin and prepare for drool. Don't lick the screen, don't do it!!! I wish computer screens tasted delicious, but I am afraid they do not. Been there, done that.
Fully warned? Then scroll at your own risk.
I warned you fair and square!
Introducing 6 Ingredient Pulled Jackfruit. Yes, this is vegan. Yes, this is a fruit. And yes, this recipe takes just 6 ingredients. Gah! Excitement. Joy. Love. Drool. Ah, wipe away drool... desire to lick screen... fighting desire... fight it... must... resist... ~lick~
If you have explored my blog you might have seen my original post for jackfruit sandwiches, and possibly even made it. While it's for sure a completely delicious recipe, I felt the need to repost. Why repost you ask? (Well, you probably didn't but I am going to answer anyway). My original recipe required almost 20 ingredients and took over 1.5 hours to cook! This does not jive with me.
I have learned a thing or two since my early days of blogging. The easier and quicker the recipe, the more I (and you) seem to like it. So when I took this 20 ingredient, 1.5 hour recipe and rehashed it to a 6 ingredients, 45 minute recipe of pulled jackfruit goodness. I was pre-tay damn pleased with myself. ~pats self on back~
If you are new to jackfruit, it is indeed a fruit. You can often find it covered in sticky syrup in cans, but in this recipe the key is to use young green jackfruit that is in brine or water (not syrup). When the jackfruit is young (and not fully ripe), it's much starchier and not sweet... It actually doesn't taste like much to be honest. The cool thing about it is that once cooked, it has this pulled, shredded texture that is totally fun. Toss it with some BBQ sauce, and you are on your way to one of the best vegan sandwiches I have ever encountered.
I'm lucky enough that I can find jackfruit in my local discount grocery store in the Asian section. If you can't find it in your grocery store, check out Indian or Asian grocery stores, or order it online.
I had a look at what a few other bloggers did with their jackfruit, and was horrified to see that many had written in the instructions to chop off and discard the core and seeds. DON'T DO THIS! You're just wasting precious delicious jackfruit. Why oh why would you do that!?
How To Prepare the Jackfruit:
Drain and rinse the jackfruit, then cut into smaller pieces. For optimal texture, cut the slices from core to the outer edge as seen in the picture above, which breaks up the tougher core as much as possible, and makes for the best "pulled" texture.
Sauté onions and garlic in a bit of oil, and once tender add in the chopped jackfruit. Add in the vegetable broth and cover and simmer for another 8 to 10 minutes until the jackfruit is tender enough to mash.
Once it's mashable, take a potato masher and mash it all up until the desired amount of mashedness is reached. How many times can you put "mash" in a sentence?
Spread in an even layer on a lightly greased baking sheet and pop it in the oven for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and pour over ½ cup of BBQ sauce, and stir so that the jackfruit is evenly coated. Pop it back in the oven for another 10 minutes to make it all sticky and delicious. Stir in ¼ cup more BBQ sauce before serving, if desired.
How to Make a Pulled Jackfruit Sandwich:
Pile onto a bun with a simple coleslaw of shredded cabbage and carrots tossed with my Coleslaw Dressing. Yum! This would also be super satisfyingly scrumptious in tacos, on pizza, or nachos as just a few ideas! Don't be surprised if you see these recipe ideas coming up in the future.
6 Ingredient Pulled Jackfruit
Ingredients
- 2 20oz cans young green jackfruit, in brine or water (not in syrup!)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ yellow onion,, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic,, minced
- ¼ cup vegetable broth or water
- ¾ cup BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400F (200C). Lightly grease a baking pan.
- Drain and rinse the jackfruit. Cut the jackfruit into smaller pieces by cutting it from core to the edge for the most pulled texture (see photos).
- Add the olive oil to a large frying pan or skillet over medium-high heat, and when hot add the onions and garlic. Sauté until the onions are tender and beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Add in the chopped jackfruit and vegetable broth. Cover and continue to cook another 8 to 10 minutes, until the jackfruit is soft enough that it can be mashed. Mash the jackfruit with potato masher, until it breaks apart and looks pulled or shredded.
- To finish the jackfruit spread in an even layer across the baking pan and then pop it in the oven for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and pour over ½ cup BBQ sauce and stir to combine. Toss it back in the oven for about 10 minutes, until it looks delicious and golden and even a few strands get a bit burnt. Remove from the oven and if desired stir in the remaining ¼ cup of BBQ sauce to make it even saucier.
Nutrition
Bon Appetegan!
Sam.
Cathrine Melragon says
This was ABSOLUTELY amazing! Thank you for doing what you do. Evey recipe I make is so incredibly GOOD!
Sam Turnbull says
Yay! So happy you loved it. Thank you for your review 🙂
Dani says
awesome as always! my dogs are trying to sit on my lap to try and get a bite, but I'm not sharing!
Holly says
Hi! I made this recipe today and really enjoyed it. I liked the approach and the preparation. Honestly the best jackfruit preparation I have ever tried and will continue to use this approach. Sincerely, thank you!
Jess @ IDTLC Support says
Fantastic!
Laurie E says
Great flavor and so easy. Only complaint is that the “meat” didn’t crisp up too much in the oven. I may try at 425 degrees next time. Topped with cole slaw and sides of fresh corn on the cob and fresh Door County WI cherries for dessert…a wonderful summer meal!
Jess @ IDTLC Support says
Good luck with your adjustments! Sounds like an incredible summer meal for sure. 🙂
Caitlin says
This method of making jackfruit is by far the easiest out there. I adore your jackfruit taco recipe, and came searching for a bbq recipe for that reason. I’m a mom of a toddler who needs dinner to be quick and easy- I followed the recipe (though I did do the initial sauté and shredding earlier in the day for time) and I can’t say that baking it in the oven really made that enormous of a difference. Next time, due to time, I’ll just add the bbq sauce in the pan after shredding it. Also, it desperately needed salt! Toddler gobbled it up, but I tossed it with some sea salt after the fact.
Jess @ IDTLC Support says
We're thrilled to hear this was a success for you!
Amy says
Can you use this recipe in the crockpot?
Jess @ IDTLC Support says
It hasn't been tested in a crockpot, but please let us know if you try.
CHRISTIANE says
I had tried cooking jackfruit once before and I was not impressed. But your recipe totally changed my mind. The BBQ sauce takes care of any « briny » taste left and this way of cutting the jackfruit works really well. Thanks for sharing your recipe!
Sam Turnbull says
You're most welcome! So happy you loved it!!
Tania Allan says
I’d never had jackfruit before but holy wow!! This is going on the rotation!!! Delish!!!!! Thanks Sam!
Barbara Pitts says
My husband and I are vegan newbies. We have loved every recipe of yours that we have tried. Today we did the jackfruit barbecue sandwiches. My question is regarding the seeds that I encountered in preparing the fruit for cooking. Can they just be included or should we remove them?
Ann says
I make this all the time! So easy and delicious! It is also good served inside tortilla with avocado and slaw. Tonight we’ll stick to slider buns!❤️
julie says
I found a store that carries fresh jackfruit (wild things, they are!) Use it in the same way?
Michelle says
So easy and delicious. I added a small amount of liquid smoke and some paprika and celery salt. Thank you for this amazing recipe. My husband made the complicated version in the past and this was even better.