BBQ Pulled Jackfruit Sandwich is basically a vegan version of pulled pork, but instead of meat it uses young jackfruit that gets baked with barbecue seasoning and sauce. The whole thing comes together without too much effort, and it doesn’t take a lot of time standing in the kitchen, which makes it feel really simple to prepare.
It works well when you want something filling for lunch or dinner, and honestly it can even be a nice snack if you make smaller portions. The mix of the smoky jackfruit and the crunchy slaw makes it cozy and satisfying, and that’s why I thought you’d like it. Now, let’s talk about what exactly Pulled Jackfruit Sandwiches are.
What is Pulled Jackfruit Sandwich?
Pulled Jackfruit Sandwiches are basically a plant-based version of pulled pork sandwiches. Instead of meat, they use young green jackfruit, which has a stringy texture that shreds really well and looks a lot like pulled meat once it’s cooked. The jackfruit gets mixed with barbecue seasoning and sauce, then baked until it’s tender and flavorful.
People usually eat these sandwiches for lunch or dinner, and they’re often served with a crunchy slaw on the side or right inside the bun. It’s a popular vegan option because it feels hearty and satisfying without being heavy, and it’s also nut-free and can be made gluten-free or soy-free depending on what you use.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Beginner-friendly: The steps are straightforward, and you don’t need any special cooking skills. You just shred the jackfruit, mix it with seasoning and sauce, and bake it.
- Simple ingredients: Most of the items are easy to find, like canned jackfruit, barbecue sauce, and slaw mix. You don’t have to go searching for anything complicated.
- Customizable flavors: You can change the seasoning to suit your taste. For example, sometimes I like to add a bit of taco spice or even jerk seasoning when I want something different.
- Works for different meals: These sandwiches are filling enough for lunch or dinner, but if you make smaller portions, they can also work as a snack.
- Quick cleanup: Since everything bakes on one sheet, you don’t end up with a pile of pans to wash, which makes it easier when you’re busy.
- Diet-friendly options: It’s naturally nut-free, and you can make it gluten-free or soy-free depending on the sauce and bread you choose.
That’s why I feel Pulled Jackfruit Sandwiches are a nice recipe to keep in mind when you want something simple but satisfying.
Ingredients Needed:
The recipe mostly uses simple ingredients that work together to give the jackfruit the right flavor and texture, and then the slaw adds freshness and crunch.
- Young green jackfruit – this is the main part of the recipe, and it gives that shredded, pulled texture that looks and feels like pulled pork.
- Barbecue seasoning – this adds the smoky and spicy flavor that makes the jackfruit taste bold and savory.
- Barbecue sauce – this brings in moisture and sweetness, and it helps the jackfruit bake nicely with a sticky coating.
- Onion, garlic, and ginger – these give a base flavor so the jackfruit doesn’t taste plain, and they make the mix more aromatic.
- Slaw mix – this adds crunch and freshness, so the sandwich feels balanced and not too heavy.
- Vegan mayo, vinegar, and a little sweetener – these make the slaw creamy and tangy, which pairs well with the smoky jackfruit.
💡 Note: For the full ingredient list with exact amounts and measurements, please check the recipe card below.
Step-By-Step Instructions to Make Pulled Jackfruit Sandwich:
One small thing I learned while making Pulled Jackfruit Sandwiches at home is that squeezing the jackfruit really well before baking makes a huge difference. If you don’t press out the liquid, the flavor feels watered down, but when you do, the seasoning sticks better and the texture turns out closer to pulled meat.
Step 1: Drain and Shred the Jackfruit
First, you want to drain the canned jackfruit and press it in a clean kitchen towel to remove as much liquid as possible. This step also helps break it apart into shreds. If some pieces are still chunky, you can use a fork or knife to separate them. The goal is to have stringy pieces that look like pulled meat.
Step 2: Mix with Onion, Garlic, and Seasoning
Next, place the shredded jackfruit in a large bowl and add sliced onion, garlic, and ginger. Then sprinkle in the barbecue seasoning and a little salt. Mix everything until the jackfruit is coated evenly. At this point, the mixture should smell smoky and savory.
Step 3: Add Barbecue Sauce and Spread on Baking Sheet
Now pour in the barbecue sauce and stir until the jackfruit looks glossy and sticky. If the sauce feels too thick, you can add a splash of broth to loosen it up. Spread the mixture on a parchment-lined baking sheet so it cooks evenly.
Step 4: Bake Until Edges Caramelize
Place the tray in the oven and let the jackfruit bake until the edges start to look golden and slightly crisp. You can move the pieces around halfway through so they cook evenly. The smell will be smoky and sweet, and the texture should feel tender but with some caramelized bits.
Step 5: Prepare the Slaw
While the jackfruit bakes, mix together slaw ingredients like shredded cabbage, vegan mayo, vinegar, and a touch of sweetener. Stir until creamy and chill for a short while so the flavors blend. The slaw should taste tangy and fresh, which balances the smoky jackfruit.
Step 6: Assemble the Sandwiches
Finally, take your buns or wraps and layer the baked jackfruit generously. Add extra barbecue sauce if you like it saucy, then top with the slaw for crunch. The sandwich should feel hearty, with smoky jackfruit and cool creamy slaw in every bite.
One tip I always follow is to taste the jackfruit after the first bake and adjust the seasoning before finishing. Sometimes a little extra salt or a dash of cayenne makes the flavor pop more.
💡 Note: These steps are just an overview. For detailed quantities, measurements, and exact timings to make this recipe, please check the recipe card below.
Helpful Tips For The Best Results:
- Texture matters: Always squeeze the jackfruit really well before cooking, because too much liquid will make it soggy and the seasoning won’t stick properly.
- Heat control: Bake at a steady temperature, but keep an eye on the edges. If they start to get too dark, move the jackfruit around so it cooks evenly without burning.
- Seasoning balance: Taste halfway through baking and adjust with a little salt, sugar, or spice. This way the flavor doesn’t end up flat.
- Ingredient swaps: If you don’t have barbecue seasoning, you can use a mix of paprika, garlic powder, and cumin. It still gives a smoky flavor without needing a store-bought blend.
- Extra moisture: If the jackfruit feels dry, add a splash of broth or more sauce before the final bake. It keeps the texture soft and juicy.
Tasty Variations to Try:
- Spicy twist: Add cayenne or chipotle powder to the seasoning mix if you like a bit of heat in your sandwich.
- Cajun style: Swap the barbecue seasoning for Cajun spices to give the jackfruit a bold, peppery flavor.
- Gluten-free option: Use gluten-free buns or wraps, or even serve the jackfruit over rice or salad bowls instead of bread.
- Soy-free option: Pick a soy-free barbecue sauce, which is easy to find, so the recipe works for more diets.
- Seasonal idea: In summer, add fresh corn or grilled peppers to the sandwich for extra crunch. In winter, serve the jackfruit with warm roasted veggies on the side.
- Wraps or tacos: Instead of buns, fill tortillas or flatbreads with the jackfruit and slaw for a lighter meal.
That way, Pulled Jackfruit Sandwiches can feel different each time you make them, and you won’t get bored of the same flavor.
Serving Suggestions:
1. Great for gatherings:
You can make a bigger batch and serve them at casual get-togethers, since they hold up well and taste good even after sitting for a bit.
2. Perfect for lunch or dinner:
These sandwiches are filling enough to serve as the main dish, and they work well when you want something quick but still satisfying.
3. Serve with sides:
Pair with fries, roasted potatoes, or even a simple salad to balance the smoky flavor of the jackfruit.
4. Pairs well with drinks:
A cold lemonade or iced tea goes nicely, but in cooler weather a warm soup can make it feel cozy.
Storage & Reheating Tips:
- How long it keeps: The cooked jackfruit filling usually stays good in the fridge for about three days, and the slaw is best eaten within one to two days so it doesn’t get soggy.
- Best storage method: Keep the jackfruit in an airtight container separate from the slaw and bread, because storing them together makes everything mushy.
- Simple reheating advice: Warm the jackfruit in a pan or oven until it’s hot and slightly crisp again, then add fresh slaw and bread when serving. I sometimes add a little extra barbecue sauce while reheating to bring back moisture.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
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Can I substitute jackfruit with something else?
Yes, if you don’t find canned jackfruit, you can use shredded mushrooms or even soy curls, but the texture will be slightly different.
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Can I make it ahead of time?
The jackfruit filling can be cooked a day earlier and stored, then reheated when you’re ready to serve. Just keep the slaw fresh and mix it right before eating.
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What if the texture feels too soft?
Bake a little longer until the edges caramelize, or add less sauce if you prefer it less moist.
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Is it diet-friendly?
Yes, it’s naturally nut-free, and you can make it gluten-free or soy-free by choosing the right bread and sauce.
Pulled Jackfruit Sandwich
Description
Pulled Jackfruit Sandwich is a simple plant-based twist on pulled pork. Young green jackfruit is shredded, seasoned with barbecue spices, baked until tender, and layered with creamy slaw inside soft buns. It’s nut-free, beginner-friendly, and can be made gluten-free or soy-free.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Drain 2 cans (20 oz each) young green jackfruit and press firmly in a clean kitchen towel to remove excess liquid. Shred into stringy pieces using hands, fork, or knife.
- In a large bowl, combine shredded jackfruit with ½ medium red onion (thinly sliced), 1 tsp minced garlic, 1 tsp minced ginger, ¼ tsp salt, and 2-3 tbsp barbecue seasoning. Mix until evenly coated.
- Add ½–⅔ cup barbecue sauce and stir until jackfruit looks glossy. If sauce feels too thick, add 2 tbsp vegetable broth to loosen.
- Spread mixture evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 400°F until edges caramelize and jackfruit turns tender, about 30-45 minutes. Stir halfway through for even cooking.
- While jackfruit bakes, prepare slaw by mixing 3 cups slaw mix with ¼ cup vegan mayonnaise, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar or lemon juice, ½ tbsp maple syrup or sugar, plus a pinch of salt and black pepper. Chill for 15 minutes.
- Once jackfruit is baked, taste and adjust seasoning with extra salt, sugar, or cayenne if needed.
- Assemble sandwiches by layering baked jackfruit on 4 sandwich buns or wraps, adding extra barbecue sauce, and topping with slaw. Serve warm.
Notes
- Always squeeze jackfruit well before cooking to remove brine flavor.
- Taste after the first bake and adjust seasoning before finishing.
- Keep slaw and jackfruit stored separately to avoid soggy sandwiches.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 4
Serving Size 1 sandwich filling (without bun)
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 367kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 10g16%
- Saturated Fat 1g5%
- Sodium 541mg23%
- Potassium 311mg9%
- Total Carbohydrate 66g22%
- Dietary Fiber 5g20%
- Sugars 24g
- Protein 4g8%
- Vitamin A 420 IU
- Vitamin C 28.1 mg
- Calcium 225 mg
- Iron 3.7 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000‑calorie diet, and your daily needs may be higher or lower depending on your lifestyle. Nutrition information is shared only as a general estimate and may not always be fully accurate. If you follow a special diet or have specific health concerns, it’s best to check with a registered dietitian for personalized guidance.
