Looking for a delicious, plant-based alternative to the classic BBQ pulled pork? Look no further than BBQ Jackfruit! This easy-to-make vegan recipe is bursting with flavor, texture, and all the smoky goodness you crave — without any of the guilt. Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or just looking to try something new, this BBQ Jackfruit is guaranteed to be a hit at the dinner table, making it perfect for family meals, summer barbecues, or casual weeknight dinners.
Not only is this dish incredibly satisfying and flavorful, but it also highlights the beauty of using jackfruit, a versatile and sustainable fruit that is taking the plant-based world by storm. If you’ve never cooked with jackfruit before, this is the perfect recipe to get started — and once you try it, you’ll be hooked!
What Is Jackfruit and Why Is It So Popular?
Jackfruit is a large tropical fruit that has been used in cooking for centuries, especially in Southeast Asia. When ripe, it’s sweet and can be eaten like other fruits, but it’s the young, green jackfruit that has taken the plant-based food world by storm as a meat substitute. Its neutral flavor and unique, fibrous texture make it the perfect stand-in for shredded meats, especially for dishes like pulled pork or tacos.
But beyond its culinary appeal, jackfruit is also an incredibly sustainable food. It’s abundant, affordable, and requires very little water compared to other crops, making it a highly sustainable choice for those looking to reduce their environmental footprint. It’s a low-maintenance, high-yield crop that doesn’t require pesticides or fertilizers, making it a natural choice for environmentally-conscious consumers.
In fact, jackfruit is a superfood of the future. It’s high in potassium, rich in fiber, and loaded with vitamins, making it an excellent addition to a healthy, sustainable diet.
Why You’ll Love This BBQ Jackfruit Recipe
This BBQ Jackfruit recipe is an absolute game-changer when it comes to plant-based cooking. Not only is it incredibly easy to make, but it’s also packed with bold, smoky flavors that mimic the savory, melt-in-your-mouth texture of traditional BBQ pulled pork. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or hosting a gathering, this dish will impress everyone — vegan and non-vegan alike!
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make this dish, you’ll need just a few simple ingredients:
- 40 ounces of canned jackfruit (about 2 large cans), drained and rinsed. It’s best to use young green jackfruit, as it has a neutral, meat-like texture perfect for savory dishes.
- Spices: Garlic powder, chili powder, salt, paprika — these spices form the base of the flavor profile.
- Liquid smoke: This ingredient brings that signature smoky flavor that mimics the taste of traditional BBQ pulled pork. It’s optional, but highly recommended for that authentic BBQ taste.
- Brown sugar: For just the right amount of sweetness to balance out the smoky and savory flavors.
- Olive oil: A small amount of oil helps to sauté the jackfruit and get it nice and crispy around the edges.
- BBQ sauce: Use your favorite BBQ sauce for the final touch! Whether you prefer tangy, spicy, or sweet, the BBQ sauce will bind everything together and create that irresistible BBQ flavor.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making BBQ Jackfruit
This recipe is incredibly straightforward, and you’ll have a meal ready in just 15 minutes! Here’s how to do it:
- Prepare the Jackfruit: Start by draining and rinsing the canned jackfruit. Then, cut off the core (the pointed part) and break apart the jackfruit into smaller pieces, leaving only the outer, tender parts. Shred the jackfruit into bite-sized pieces using two forks or your hands.
- Season the Jackfruit: In a large bowl, mix the shredded jackfruit with your spices — garlic powder, chili powder, salt, paprika, and brown sugar. Add the liquid smoke for that smoky flavor, and toss everything together until the jackfruit is fully coated.
- Sauté the Jackfruit: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the seasoned jackfruit and sauté for about 5 minutes. Stir frequently to make sure the jackfruit heats through and crisps up a bit. Continue to break it apart with the back of a spoon or forks as it cooks.
- Add the BBQ Sauce: Once the jackfruit is tender and slightly crispy, remove it from the heat and stir in your favorite BBQ sauce. Toss to coat the jackfruit evenly with the sauce.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve your BBQ Jackfruit on buns, in tacos, or as a topping for salads and grain bowls. For an extra indulgent meal, pair it with Homemade Vegan Coleslaw for the perfect BBQ combo.
Recipe Variations and Tips
This BBQ Jackfruit recipe is versatile and can be adapted to suit your taste. Here are a few ideas:
- Add extra veggies: For a heartier meal, sauté some onions, bell peppers, or mushrooms along with the jackfruit for extra flavor and texture.
- Spicy BBQ Jackfruit: If you like heat, add some cayenne pepper, hot sauce, or chili flakes to your jackfruit seasoning mix.
- Different BBQ Sauces: Experiment with different types of BBQ sauce — smoky, sweet, or tangy — to customize the flavor to your liking. Try a mustard-based BBQ sauce for a tangier twist or a spicy chipotle BBQ sauce for a kick of heat.
Health Benefits of Jackfruit
Not only is jackfruit a sustainable choice for your meals, but it also offers numerous health benefits:
- Rich in Fiber: Jackfruit is a great source of dietary fiber, which helps to promote digestion and keep you feeling fuller for longer.
- High in Potassium: Jackfruit contains a significant amount of potassium, which supports heart health by helping to regulate blood pressure.
- Low in Fat: This vegan pulled pork alternative is naturally low in fat, making it a heart-healthy option compared to traditional meat-based dishes.
- Packed with Vitamins: Jackfruit is high in Vitamin C, which helps boost immunity, and contains a range of other important nutrients like Vitamin A and magnesium.
Why Choose Jackfruit?
Jackfruit is not just a great meat substitute — it’s also an environmentally friendly choice. As global awareness of sustainability grows, plant-based foods like jackfruit offer a compelling alternative to meat products. Traditional meat production requires significant amounts of water, land, and energy, while jackfruit grows abundantly in tropical regions with minimal resources.
Moreover, jackfruit is cost-effective, making it an affordable option for those looking to reduce their meat consumption without breaking the bank. By choosing jackfruit over traditional meat-based dishes, you’re contributing to a more sustainable food system and helping to reduce your carbon footprint.
Conclusion: A Delicious, Sustainable Meal for Everyone
This BBQ Jackfruit recipe is a perfect example of how plant-based cooking can be both delicious and sustainable. It’s easy to make, bursting with flavor, and provides a fantastic alternative to traditional pulled pork. Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or just trying to reduce your meat intake, this dish is sure to satisfy your cravings for BBQ in a cruelty-free and eco-friendly way.
Jackfruit is an incredibly versatile and sustainable fruit, making it a must-try in any plant-based kitchen. With this simple, tasty recipe, you’ll not only be enjoying a mouthwatering meal but also contributing to a more sustainable food future. So grab a can of jackfruit, fire up the skillet, and get ready for a BBQ experience you won’t forget!
Related Recipes: If you love this BBQ Jackfruit, don’t miss out on other creative jackfruit recipes like Jackfruit Enchiladas and Jackfruit Pot Roast for even more plant-based inspiration.
I’ve had jackfruit pulled pork at vegan restaurants a few times and was so excited to try making it at home. I found the cans of young jackfruit at Trader Joe’s, but if you don’t have one in your area and aren’t able to find it anywhere else, you can get it HERE on Amazon (Amazon for the win!).
I bought a ridiculous amount of jackfruit recently and have so many recipe ideas that I can’t wait to work on! So, be on the lookout for quite a few more jackfruit recipes in the near future.
What is Jackfruit
Jackfruit is a large tropical fruit that’s relatively inexpensive to buy whole. You can eat it raw, like other fruits. The jackfruit that we’re using in this particular recipe (and that is typically used in meat replacement recipes like this) is young GREEN jackfruit.
I won’t pretend to be an expert on jackfruit, but if you want to learn more, HERE is a more detailed description!
