BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches
Delicious BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches featuring tender shredded young green jackfruit simmered in a smoky, tangy barbecue sauce, served on toasted buns with optional crunchy coleslaw. Perfect plant-based sandwiches that mimic pulled pork with bold flavors, great texture, and easy preparation.
- Author: Lilly
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 sandwiches 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan, Gluten Free (if using gluten-free buns)
Main Ingredients
- 1 can young green jackfruit (approximately 20 ounces), drained and rinsed
- 1 cup barbecue sauce (store-bought or homemade, smoky and tangy)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Bread
- 4 buns or bread rolls, soft and sturdy
Optional Toppings
- Coleslaw (prepared or homemade)
- Diced jalapenos or hot sauce (for a spicy kick)
- Pickled onions
- Avocado slices
- Fresh cilantro or thinly sliced pickles
- Prepare the Jackfruit: Drain and rinse canned young green jackfruit thoroughly. Use your fingers or forks to shred the jackfruit into thin, pulled “meat” strands, removing any seeds or tough core pieces to ensure a pleasant texture.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add finely chopped onions and minced garlic, cooking until translucent and fragrant to build a flavorful base for the jackfruit.
- Cook the Jackfruit: Add the shredded jackfruit to the skillet, sprinkle with smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir and cook for about 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld and slightly caramelize.
- Add BBQ Sauce: Pour in your choice of barbecue sauce, stirring gently to coat the jackfruit evenly. Reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and the jackfruit to soak up all the rich flavors.
- Assemble the Sandwiches: Toast your buns lightly to add a bit of crunch. Pile the BBQ jackfruit generously onto the bottom half of each bun, then add coleslaw or any desired toppings before closing the sandwich with the top bun.
Notes
- Drain Jackfruit Well: Excess liquid can make the sandwich soggy, so be sure to strain it thoroughly before cooking.
- Use Quality BBQ Sauce: The sauce is the flavor star, so pick one you genuinely love or whip up a homemade batch.
- Don’t Skip the Shredding: Properly shredding jackfruit helps mimic that pulled pork texture perfectly.
- Toast Your Buns: This adds a satisfying crunch and prevents sogginess from the sauce.
- Customize Your Toppings: Classic coleslaw works wonderfully, but try pickled onions or avocado for extra flair.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: BBQ jackfruit, vegan sandwich, plant-based pulled pork, jackfruit sandwich, vegetarian BBQ, gluten-free BBQ, smoky sandwich