If you’re planning a football party and want to keep the menu veggie-based, this amazingly authentic pulled-pork-style barbecue jackfruit is just the thing. Vegan, gluten-free and delicious, it will satisfy even picky meat eaters.
When I was done testing this recipe I debuted it at a tailgate before a Kenny Chesney concert at the Rose Bowl. Brad and I were at the end of a gluten-free vegan week and I wanted to keep it going despite our tailgate plans.
It ended up being a sweltering day in the triple digits – not unusual for LA even in autumn. Our group had the foresight to bring a tent for shade but the folks next to us were not as prepared. Rather than watch them slowly die of heat stroke we invited them to share our shade and feast. The first girl who tried this pulled-jackfruit couldn’t believe it was vegan. She ran it over to her husband and asked him to “taste this tri-tip.” He took a bite, gave it a nod of approval, and got back to chatting with his friend. She ran back squealing with joy that he’d believed it was tri-tip.
I’ve personally never had tri-tip – or any real meat barbecue for that matter – but I take that as the ultimate seal of approval: strangers at a Kenny Chesney tailgate believed this was meat.
There are two critical ingredients to this recipe: jackfruit and really excellent barbecue sauce.
You can find canned jackfruit at some Asian markets – especially Southeast Asian. I found it for $2.29 a can at our local Indian market. Be sure to get green jackfruit in brine – there’s also ripe jackfruit in syrup that will not work for this dish. Just cut out the dense core and the remaining fruit has a very meaty texture that absorbs the flavor of whatever sauce you use.
Regarding the BBQ sauce, Gates is my all-time favorite. It’s vegan, gluten-free and has SO MUCH FLAVOR it makes me crazy. I’m not affiliated with them in any way except that I give them a lot of money. The only place I can find it IRL is at a chain called Barbecues Galore but you can also buy it on their site or from Amazon (yay Prime!). Of course, if you already have a family favorite it will shine in this recipe.
This is a hit served with cole slaw and potato salad made with my favorite vegan mayonnaise. As an added bonus – especially for entertaining – it’s at least as good when prepared in advance. Just reheat when you’re ready to serve.
For another great vegan jackfruit recipe, try my jackfruit tortilla-style soup over at cancerv.me.
Ingredients
- 2 20-ounce cans young green jackfruit in brine
- 1 tbs oil
- 1/2 onion, finely sliced
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp freshly-ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 c vegetable broth
- 1 cup BBQ sauce, divided
- additional salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Drain and rinse the jackfruit. Cut out the dense inner core and discard. Transfer remaining fruit to a large bowl and toss with brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and chili powder.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add thinly sliced onion and saute until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add jackfruit and cook, stirring, until jackfruit is beginning to brown, about 3-4 minutes.
Add vegetable broth and 3/4 cup BBQ sauce. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, 30 minutes or until sauce has thickened. Stir occasionally using the spoon to break apart the jackfruit chunks as they soften.
Season to taste. Shred the jackfruit with two forks and top with additional BBQ sauce, if desired.
Nutritional Information
Calories 198
Total Fat 3.7g
Saturated Fat 0.5g
Cholesterol 0mg
Sodium 743mg
Potassium 68mg
Total Carbohydrates 36.4g
Dietary Fiber 15.1g
Sugars 10.1g
Protein 4.1g
Wait seriously, there’s a fruit that can pass as a meat?! This is unheard of (to me, at least)! This looks super flavorful and delicious.
The Barbecue sauce has High Fructose syrup
This is not healthy to eat
What would be a good recipe to make your own
Thanks
Hi Eileen! I have a recipe for healthier homemade BBQ sauce at http://www.homesweetjones.com/homemade-barbecue-sauce/. It’s not vegan as written but you can easily replace the honey with the sweetener of your choice. I think agave would work great!
Just know that while HFCS is about 55% fructose, agave is around 90%. Might not be an improvement.
Has anyone tried this in a crock pot??
Cole slaw looks Delic
Could you share the recipe
Thanks
For the cole slaw, I just mixed a little of my vegan mayo (http://www.homesweetjones.com/vegan-oil-free-mayonnaise/) with apple cider vinegar, celery seeds, a pinch of sugar, salt and pepper then toss with shredded cabbage, carrots and thinly sliced red onion.
I’ve been meaning to try that jackfruit trick for the longest time! It looks so much like pulled meat! This looks so tasty, Maggie!
I just made this! It is awesome! Thank you for a simple and delicious recipe! I plan on making it for my co-workers this week!
Yay! Thanks so much for coming back to let me know! You sure have some lucky co-workers!
Making it today, 1st time for me tasting jack fruit. Long last got some and will use your recipe ty xxx
I was searching the internet for a recipe for pulled pork style jackfruit. I clicked images on Google and I saw your pictures. I got extremely excited when I saw your sauce. I’m from Kansas City. I had just said to my friend that the only way I wanted jackfruit is if I can cook it myself with Gates BBQ sauce. It’s my favorite. I’m using your recipe! We’re both super excited. And I understand that
Yes! Someone else who understands the magic of Gates. I mean, I would probably love sawdust covered in their sauce but I have a feeling you will really love this jackfruit!
There’s no reason to discard the core of the jackfruit. Just slice up the pieces before cooking so as to leave the core bits thin, and it Cooks up just fine. Adds a substantial amount to the recipe, depending on how your jackfruit is canned, I had to add seasoning, broth, and BBQ, but it was just as good.
Made this recipe exactly as printed…AMAZING! Eating it now, it’s perfect! Thank you!
Yay! So glad you liked it!
I am so excited to make this for dinner tonight. We just had two cans delivered with local grocery delivery service here in The Netherlands – had to wait two weeks because of covid-19 shelter in place. With a lot of time on our hands, trying new recipes are a great way to try and enjoy this season of our global lives. Thanks for sharing such cool recipe 🙂
Hooray! I hope you love it!
I came across a train if jackfruit st the local Aldi here in the uk. Heard if it however no clue as to what to do with it and glanced at the can instructions hoping for a recommended or suggested recipe to no avail……hence my googling it and happening upon your pulled pork recipe. Now the bbq sauce I’d use is the Kansas bbq but I didn’t have any and am itching to try this out tomorrow! Am hoping my alternative smokey bbq sauce will do the trick. Thanks for the recipe and info. Though I’m not sure mine is packed in brine. I’ll have to have a look. If it’s a sweet version ca. I make a pie?!?!
Hi Joanne! You’re in for a treat! You’re exactly right that any BBQ sauce will do as long as it’s packed in brine. If you ended up with the one in syrup, pie sounds like a brilliant idea! I’ve never tried it but imagine it gives a hearty texture – maybe mixed with other summer fruits? I’m super curious now =D
Nice and easy recipe, although if you generally tend to avoid added sugar, then the recipe will taste rather over sweet. Next time I will avoid the brown sugar altogether as there is plenty of sweetness in the BBQ sauce.
Such great advice! It’s been over three years now that I’ve been off sugar (even most fruits) and I can’t imagine making this as written now. Always wise to adjust to your palate!
I made this tonight and it was delicious! I am newly vegan so I am so happy to have found something to replace meat that has the right texture. My husband even liked it, and he is not vegan!
Thanks so much, Angie! I’m thrilled you liked is as much as me and Brad. I can’t believe what a great meat replacement this is!