This BBQ Jackfruit Pulled Pork is the ultimate vegan dish, made with just 8 simple ingredients. It's meaty, tender, and unbelievably delicious. Perfect for sandwiches or with vegan coleslaw.
Beyond its delicious taste, this dish is incredibly versatile. Whether you're in the mood for a hearty sandwich, flavorful tacos, or a savory baked potato topping, it has got you covered!
Plus, it's easy to make, making it perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends. With its quick and easy preparation, you can enjoy a satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
Craving some plant-based goodness?Try my Jackfruit Carnitas, Jackfruit Tacos, Vegan Chickpea Burgers, Vegan Sloppy Joes, and Vegan Burger recipes. Get ready for a flavor explosion!
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🌟 Why you'll love this recipe
- Versatility: This recipe is incredibly versatile. Whether you're making tacos, sandwiches, or salads, it's a delicious choice for any meal.
- Easy Preparation: With just a few simple ingredients and easy instructions, you'll have a tasty dish ready in no time. It's hassle-free cooking at its best!
- Bold Flavors: Get ready for a burst of deliciousness in every bite. This recipe is packed with spices and seasonings that will leave your taste buds tingling with delight.
- Health Benefits: Not only is this dish tasty, but it's also good for you. Jackfruit is loaded with plant-based protein, fiber, and essential vitamins, making it a nutritious option.
- Crowd Pleaser: Whether you're serving it to family or friends, this recipe is sure to be a hit. It's a dish that appeals to everyone, making it perfect for any gathering or occasion.
🧾 Ingredient notes
Jackfruit: Use the kind that's packed in brine or water, not syrup, or your pulled pork might end up too sweet. You can find it at Asian markets, some grocery stores, or online.
Oil: You have options here. Feel free to use whichever oil you prefer. Personally, I like to cook with extra virgin olive oil, as it adds a nice flavor to the dish.
Garlic Powder: You can substitute the same amount of onion powder, or you can use both for extra flavor.
Store-Bought or Homemade Chili Powder: this recipe calls for traditional American chili powder, not cayenne. Cayenne and international chili powders are usually incredibly spicy.
So if you live outside of the United States, please keep that in mind. If you can only find cayenne, add it to taste until the sauce is okay for you, but not too spicy.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
📋 Variations
- Spicy BBQ Jackfruit: Add some diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the BBQ sauce for a fiery kick.
- Asian-Inspired Jackfruit: Use teriyaki or hoisin sauce instead of BBQ sauce and serve it in lettuce wraps with shredded carrots and sliced cucumbers.
- Mango BBQ Jackfruit: Mix some mango puree into the BBQ sauce for a tropical twist, perfect for summer cookouts.
- Tex-Mex Jackfruit Tacos: Season the jackfruit with taco seasoning instead of BBQ sauce and serve it in taco shells with avocado, salsa, and cilantro.
- Jackfruit BBQ Pizza: Use the BBQ jackfruit as a topping for homemade pizza along with red onions, bell peppers, and vegan cheese.
🔪 Instructions
Step 1. Drain and rinse the jackfruit. Chop off the center core portion of the fruit, if desired.
Step 2. Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet.
Step 3. Then add the jackfruit and cook for 5 minutes.
Step 4. Add the spices (garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and chili powder) and stir. Cook for 2-3 more minutes.
Step 5. Pour in the BBQ sauce and water, then simmer covered for 20 minutes.
Step 6. Remove the lid, and use two forks to shred the jackfruit.
Step 7. Then cook over high heat for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. This adds a bit of dryness to the jackfruit and lets it get slightly charred in places, making it even more delicious!
Step 8. Serve immediately on buns with vegan coleslaw or any fresh or cooked veggies, and extra BBQ sauce. I served mine with vegan mayo, cooked red cabbage, and fresh parsley.
💭 Expert tips
- Thoroughly Rinse The Jackfruit: Ensure you rinse the jackfruit well to remove any brine or preservative flavor.
- Keep An Eye On It: While cooking, stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking throughout.
- Control The Moisture: If the jackfruit seems too wet, cook it uncovered for a few extra minutes to evaporate excess moisture and achieve a firmer texture.
- Use A Non-Stick Skillet: This can help prevent the jackfruit from sticking to the pan and make cleanup easier.
- Let It Rest: Allow the jackfruit to sit for a few minutes after cooking to let the flavors meld together before serving.
❓Recipe FAQs
When stored in an airtight container in the fridge, your prepared jackfruit dish can typically last for about 3 to 5 days.
However, the exact shelf life may vary depending on factors such as the freshness of the ingredients used and how well it was stored.
Always remember to use your best judgment and discard any leftovers if they show signs of spoilage, such as an off smell or unusual texture.
Yes, you can! Simply let it cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container or freezer-safe bag.
Make sure to remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. It should keep well in the freezer for up to 2 to 3 months.
When you're ready to enjoy it, thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating it on the stovetop or in the microwave.
You can reheat the leftovers by either microwaving them for a minute or two or by reheating them in a skillet on the stove until warmed through.
You can serve it in various ways, but the best way is on hamburger buns with Vegan Coleslaw. Don't forget to add some extra vegan BBQ Sauce on top for extra flavor!
Other serving suggestions include pairing it with Vegan Cornbread, Baked French Fries, Vegan Baked Beans, or Vegan Potato Salad.
Jackfruit is a unique fruit that grows to be quite large and has a spiky exterior. When ripe, it turns yellow and develops a sweet flavor.
However, when it's young and unripe, the flesh is green and lacks flavor, but it has a texture remarkably similar to shredded meat.
In this recipe, the young jackfruit is cooked with BBQ sauce, allowing it to absorb all those delicious flavors while mimicking the texture of pulled pork.
You can find young green jackfruit canned in syrup, water, or brine, but for this recipe, it's best to use the one canned in brine or water.
🥗 More vegan sides for this dish
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📖 Recipe
Vegan BBQ Jackfruit Pulled Pork
Ingredients
- 2 20-ounce cans jackfruit in brine or water, not in syrup
- 1 tablespoon oil, I used extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- ½ cup water
Instructions
- Drain and rinse the jackfruit. Chop off the center core portion of the fruit, if desired (see photos in the post above).
- Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet.
- Then add the jackfruit and cook for 5 minutes.
- Add the spices (garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and chili powder) and stir. Cook for 2-3 more minutes.
- Pour in the BBQ sauce and water, then simmer covered for 20 minutes.
- Remove the lid, and use two forks to shred the jackfruit.
- Then cook over high heat for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. This adds a bit of dryness to the jackfruit and lets it get slightly charred in places, making it even more delicious!
- Serve immediately on buns with vegan coleslaw or any fresh or cooked veggies, and extra BBQ sauce. I served mine with vegan mayo, cooked red cabbage, and fresh parsley.
Notes
- Thoroughly Rinse The Jackfruit: Ensure you rinse the jackfruit well to remove any brine or preservative flavor.
- Keep An Eye On It: While cooking, stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking throughout.
- Control The Moisture: If the jackfruit seems too wet, cook it uncovered for a few extra minutes to evaporate excess moisture and achieve a firmer texture.
- Use A Non-Stick Skillet: This can help prevent the jackfruit from sticking to the pan and make cleanup easier.
- Let It Rest: Allow the jackfruit to sit for a few minutes after cooking to let the flavors meld together before serving.
Casey says
Thanks for the recipe, so easy and delicious.
Adriana @ Simple Vegan Blog says
Hi Casey! Thanks for your kind comment 🙂
Gillian Wertheimer says
I made this but all I could get from Asian store was Green jack fruit is this what you used?
Iosune Robles says
Hi! Yes, green jack fruit is fine for this recipe 🙂