Pulled BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich Recipe

I’m about to share something that’ll make you question why you ever thought pulled pork was the only way to satisfy that BBQ craving. This jackfruit sandwich doesn’t just pretend to be meat – it actually delivers on texture and flavor in ways that might surprise you. The secret isn’t just in the fruit itself, but in how you treat it, and trust me, there’s a specific technique that makes all the difference.

Why You’ll Love this Pulled BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich

Texture, my friend, is everything when it comes to plant-based meat substitutes, and jackfruit absolutely nails it.

Those natural fibers shred just like pulled pork, giving you that satisfying, meaty bite you’re craving.

I love how this sandwich comes together in under 20 minutes.

No complicated techniques or fancy equipment needed – just a skillet and some patience while the BBQ sauce works its magic.

The flavor? Bold, smoky, and completely customizable.

Want more heat? Add extra chili powder.

Prefer it sweeter? Bump up that brown sugar.

You’re in complete control.

What Ingredients are in Pulled BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich?

The beauty of this pulled BBQ jackfruit sandwich lies in its simplicity. You don’t need a grocery list that spans three aisles or ingredients that require a second mortgage. Most of what you need probably lives in your pantry right now.

What I love most about this recipe is how forgiving it’s with substitutions. Running low on one spice? No problem. Want to swap the maple syrup for honey? Go for it. This sandwich adapts to whatever you’ve got on hand.

Ingredients

For the BBQ Jackfruit:

• 2 cans (20 oz each) young green jackfruit in water
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 3/4 cup vegan BBQ sauce

For the Optional Avocado Slaw:

• 1/2 ripe avocado
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup or sweetener of choice
• Juice of 1 lemon or lime
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cups shredded cabbage and carrots
• Water as needed for consistency

For Serving:

– Sandwich buns or rolls

Ingredient Considerations

Let’s talk jackfruit for a second. You absolutely need young green jackfruit in water, not the sweet, ripened stuff in syrup. Trust me, sweet jackfruit BBQ isn’t the vibe we’re going for here.

The young variety has that neutral flavor and stringy texture that makes it the perfect pulled pork impersonator.

When shopping for BBQ sauce, read those labels if you’re keeping things vegan. Some brands sneak in honey or other animal products. The good news is that most major brands offer solid vegan options these days.

The avocado slaw is completely optional, but it adds this creamy, cooling contrast that balances out all that smoky BBQ flavor.

If your avocado is rock hard, you might want to skip the slaw and just slice it for topping instead. No point in fighting with an uncooperative avocado when you’re trying to make dinner happen.

How to Make this Pulled BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich

Making pulled BBQ jackfruit is honestly one of those recipes where the prep work does most of the heavy lifting for you. Once you get the jackfruit ready, it’s pretty much smooth sailing from there.

Start by draining and rinsing your 2 cans of young green jackfruit. This step matters more than you might think – that canning liquid has a slightly funky taste that you definitely don’t want hanging around in your final sandwich. While you’re rinsing, keep an eye out for any seeds hiding in there and pluck them out.

Now comes the fun part that always makes me feel like I’m performing some kind of kitchen magic. Take that rinsed jackfruit and start shredding it with your hands or a fork. The pieces should pull apart into these beautiful, stringy strands that look suspiciously like pulled pork. If you run into any firm core pieces, just toss them aside – they won’t break down and they’ll throw off your texture.

Time to make your BBQ seasoning blend. Mix together 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon chili powder. This little spice mixture is what transforms bland jackfruit into something that actually tastes like BBQ.

Toss your shredded jackfruit with the seasoning blend, making sure every strand gets coated. Then add 3/4 cup of vegan BBQ sauce and mix it all together. Don’t be shy here – you want that jackfruit completely covered in saucy goodness.

Heat up a skillet over medium heat and dump in your seasoned, sauced jackfruit. Cook it, stirring occasionally, until everything is heated through and the sauce starts to thicken up and get a little sticky. This usually takes about 8 to 10 minutes, but honestly, just keep going until it looks right to you.

While that’s happening, you can whip up the optional avocado slaw if you’re feeling fancy. Scoop out 1/2 ripe avocado and mash it up with 1 tablespoon maple syrup, the juice of 1 lemon or lime, plus salt and pepper to taste. Add a splash of water if you need to thin it out. Toss this creamy dressing with 2 cups of shredded cabbage and carrots, and you’ve got yourself a proper slaw situation.

The beauty of this whole process is how forgiving it is. If your jackfruit seems a little dry, add more BBQ sauce. If it needs more flavor, hit it with extra seasoning. You’re basically just heating everything up and letting those flavors get acquainted, so trust your taste buds and adjust as you go.

When everything’s ready, pile that saucy jackfruit onto your sandwich buns and top with the avocado slaw if you made it. The contrast between the smoky, sweet jackfruit and the cool, creamy slaw is what makes this sandwich sing, but it’s perfectly delicious on its own too.

Pulled BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich Substitutions and Variations

While jackfruit makes an incredible base for pulled BBQ sandwiches, I get it – sometimes you need to work with what’s sitting in your pantry right now, or maybe you want to shake things up a bit.

Can’t find young green jackfruit? Shredded mushrooms work surprisingly well. King oyster mushrooms especially nail that stringy texture.

For the BBQ sauce, I swap in whatever’s handy – honey mustard, teriyaki, even buffalo sauce for heat lovers.

Skip the avocado slaw? Try classic coleslaw, pickled onions, or just fresh cilantro.

Want protein? Add hemp hearts or chopped walnuts to the jackfruit mixture.

What to Serve with Pulled BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich

Why settle for just a sandwich when you can turn this into a full-blown BBQ feast?

I’m thinking classic comfort foods that won’t fight with those bold jackfruit flavors.

Crispy sweet potato fries are my go-to – they’re naturally sweet and pair beautifully with tangy BBQ sauce.

Can’t go wrong with creamy coleslaw either, especially if you skipped the avocado version from the recipe.

For something lighter, I’d add pickled vegetables or a simple cucumber salad.

The acidity cuts through all that saucy goodness perfectly.

Baked beans round out the whole Southern vibe nicely too.

Final Thoughts

Once you try this pulled BBQ jackfruit sandwich, you’ll wonder why anyone ever doubted that plants could be this satisfying.

This recipe gives you all the smoky, saucy goodness you’re craving without any of the guilt.

I love how jackfruit transforms from weird tropical fruit to convincing pulled pork.

The texture’s almost uncanny when you shred it properly. Plus, that avocado slaw adds the perfect creamy contrast to all that tangy BBQ sauce.

Trust me, even your most skeptical carnivore friends will be asking for seconds.

Sometimes the best comfort food comes from unexpected places.

Recipe Card

Introduction: These plant-based pulled BBQ jackfruit sandwiches deliver all the smoky, tangy flavors you crave in a satisfying meat-free meal. Young jackfruit shreds beautifully to mimic pulled pork, while the homemade BBQ seasoning and creamy avocado slaw create the perfect flavor balance that even carnivores will love.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Serves: 4

Ingredients:

*For the BBQ Jackfruit:*

• 2 cans (20 oz each) young green jackfruit in water
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 3/4 cup vegan BBQ sauce
• 4 sandwich buns

For the Avocado Slaw (optional):

• 1/2 ripe avocado
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup or sweetener of choice
• Juice of 1 lemon or lime
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cups shredded cabbage and carrots
• 2-3 tablespoons water (as needed)

Instructions:

1. Drain and rinse the jackfruit thoroughly. Remove any seeds and firm core pieces, then shred the jackfruit with your hands or two forks until it resembles pulled meat.
2. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and chili powder to make the BBQ seasoning.
3. Toss the shredded jackfruit with the BBQ seasoning until evenly coated.
4. Add the BBQ sauce to the seasoned jackfruit and mix well.
5. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the jackfruit mixture and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through and the sauce has thickened.
6. For the avocado slaw, blend the avocado, maple syrup, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and water until smooth and creamy.
7. Toss the shredded cabbage and carrots with the avocado dressing.
8. Serve the BBQ jackfruit on buns topped with avocado slaw if desired.

Notes:

• Remove all firm core pieces from jackfruit for the best pulled texture – they don’t shred well and can be tough
• Adjust BBQ sauce quantity to taste – some prefer it saucier while others like it drier
• The avocado slaw can be made up to 2 hours ahead and stored in the refrigerator
• Leftover jackfruit keeps for 3-4 days in the fridge and reheats well in the microwave or stovetop
• For a spicier version, add hot sauce or cayenne pepper to the BBQ seasoning mix
• Toast the buns lightly for extra texture and to prevent them from getting soggy
• Canned jackfruit in brine also works but rinse thoroughly to remove excess salt

Nutritional Information:

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does Leftover Pulled BBQ Jackfruit Last in the Refrigerator?

I’d store leftover pulled BBQ jackfruit in the refrigerator for up to four days in an airtight container. I’ll reheat it gently in a skillet with extra BBQ sauce to restore moisture and flavor.

Can I Freeze Prepared BBQ Jackfruit for Meal Prep?

I recommend freezing your prepared BBQ jackfruit in portion-sized containers for up to three months. It’ll maintain great texture and flavor, making your meal prep incredibly convenient for quick weeknight dinners.

What’s the Difference Between Young and Ripe Jackfruit for Cooking?

I’ll explain the key difference: young jackfruit has a neutral flavor and meaty texture that’s perfect for savory dishes, while ripe jackfruit is sweet and fruity, better for desserts.

Is Canned Jackfruit as Good as Fresh Jackfruit for This Recipe?

I’d recommend canned jackfruit for this recipe. It’s already tender, saves prep time, and absorbs BBQ flavors perfectly. Fresh jackfruit requires much more work and doesn’t improve the final taste.

How Do I Prevent My BBQ Jackfruit From Being Too Watery?

I prevent watery BBQ jackfruit by thoroughly draining and patting it dry first, then cooking it longer in the skillet to evaporate excess moisture before adding sauce gradually.