Pulled Jackfruit BBQ Sandwiches are rich in sauce and texture. A satisfying shredded jackfruit sandwich that is easy to make and is as flavorful as it sounds. A spicy bbq sauce recipe is included and it all makes enough for 6 fat sandwiches.
On those warm days when dining outside sounds good to you then this BBQ Pulled Jackfruit Sandwich is a winning idea.
If you haven't had bbq pulled jackfruit in a restaurant or at a friends house yet then you are in for a very pleasant surprise.
It only takes a small amount of time with easy work for a lot of food.
I have the nutrition label worked out that so that it reflects 6 sandwiches just in case everyone wants to pile it on. But I have one bun left and it's easily going to be the 8th very fat jackfruit sandwich.
Table of Contents
What is Jackfruit?
Jackfruit is a fruit tree that grows in tropical or subtropical climates. The fruit has a bumpy exterior and averages in weight from 10-25 pounds but it can become much larger.
Can You Freeze Jackfruit?
Yes, fresh jackfruit, jackfruit from a can, and cooked jackfruit freeze well.
In fact, this bbq pulled jackfruit recipe freezes very well. After it's cooled pack it in a rigid sided freezer container that has an airtight fitting lid. It is best used within a couple of months.
Chef's Tips on Buying Jackfruit
I'm going straight to canned jackfruit here. Fresh jackfruit is a sticky mess and if it's too ripe it will be sweet. That won't taste very good in a pulled jackfruit sandwich.
So buy canned jackfruit. It tastes great and you can even buy it organic.
You want green jackfruit that is packed in water or brine. I'll even go a step further and say buy it in water if you can find it. It takes a little more work with brine but it's still not too much work.
I used jackfruit in brine once and it used lime juice as the brine base. It tasted delicious but I didn't soak and wring it enough and I could taste a little bit of lime in the sandwich.
So packed in water will help. You still need to drain the can of jackfruit but that's it. If you use jackfruit in brine I would drain, press a bit, marinate in water and then drain and press again.
By pressing I just mean with paper towels and you can even wring the jackfruit a bit. It's pretty tough. You want shredded jackfruit eventually anyway.
So steps broken down:
- Buy canned green jackfruit in water or brine.
- Drain the can and if it's in brine - press out the jackfruit, soak in water, press again.
- Continue with recipe.
A Spicy BBQ Sauce Recipe
A simple tangy sauce recipe that you'll want to use in other recipes. The lovely ingredients shown below all get cooked together in a small skillet.
Prepare the sauce ahead of time. Even a couple of days ahead will work. Right when you're starting the recipe is fine too.
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How do you Prepare Pulled Jackfruit?
It is very simple and the first steps come together in a very straightforward way. Those are the seasoning and shredding steps.
In a large skillet heat about 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat. That will get the onion started nicely. Sauté the onion for about 10 minutes.
Add the prepared jackfuit and spices. Mix to combine and then add the vegetable broth.
Bring to a boil and then turn down to simmer. Cook until all the liquid is gone which is about 10 to 15 minutes.
You can wait until then to shred the jackfruit or do it as the broth and jackfruit are simmering. I do it as it cooks because some can be shredded right away and it saves time.
Just use two forks, pierce the top of a jackfruit piece with both forks and pull the forks in opposite directions. There! You are shredding. Below is a before and after.
That was a lot of words for a simple process. Turn on the oven to 400º.
Making The Jackfruit Saucy
Now add the BBQ sauce and heat through. Pour all of the jackfruit into a baking sheet and spread evenly in the pan.
You can use parchment paper if you want to keep the pan cleaner. It's not bad to clean though.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. This step is for browning the jackfruit and drying it up a bit. That's why there is a variance in the baking time. You bake until you like how it looks.
All done. You can have your sandwiches now or it will keep covered in the refrigerator for about 4 days and reheats perfectly in a microwave.
I like to toast the buns, lay on a lot of pulled jackfruit and top with homemade coleslaw. The added coleslaw is your preference. It adds a sweet and spicy contrast.
Tips On Making a Jackfruit Sandwich
- Really there is only one more tip.
- If you like lots of BBQ sauce then serve some on the side for dipping. Make another recipe for the barbecue sauce.
- Don't mix it in the jackfruit just heat through for about 5 minutes and serve on the side with little bowls for individuals.
- Or ... use your favorite store-bought BBQ sauce.
Want More Fantastic Vegan Sandwich Recipes? Here are a few:
- Baked Falafel Sandwiches are small and tasty!
- If you'd like to make an easy seitan recipe then you won't want to miss this great Vegan Muffuletta Sandwich.
- A Loaded Chickpea Salad Sandwich only takes about 15 minutes to bring you to a very popular sandwich.
What Do You Think?
If you take a photo of your delicious fat sandwich I would love to see it. Follow me over on Instagram and tag me on your photo @vegan_in_the_freezer.
Your opinion means a lot to me and if you'd like to leave a comment and possibly a star rating I'd love to hear your thoughts.
📋 Recipe
Pulled Jackfruit BBQ Sandwich
Ingredients
- 28 ounces 2, 14 ounce cans jackfruit in water or brine
- 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup onion - diced
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 cup vegetable broth
For the Spicy BBQ Sauce:
- 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup onion - yellow, diced very small
- 2 cloves garlic, small - or 1 large
- 1 ½ teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground sage
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- 8 ounces tomato sauce, homemade is in the photo but I have always used canned before
- ½ cup ketchup
- ½ cup water
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
Added for the Complete Sandwich:
- 6 Buns
Instructions
To Make the Sauce:
- Add oil to a large skillet and heat to medium-high.
- Add the next 8 ingredients, stir and cook 5 minutes.
- Add tomato sauce, ketchup, water and maple syrup. Cook for 10 minutes.
For the Pulled Jackfruit:
- Drain the jackfruit and rinse. If it's jackfruit packing in brine then drain, rinse and press. Rinse and press again.
- In a large skillet heat about 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat. That will get the onion started nicely. Sauté the onion for about 10 minutes.
- Add the prepared jackfuit and spices. Mix to combine and then add the vegetable broth.
- Bring to a boil and then turn down to simmer. Cook until all the liquid is gone which is about 10 to 15 minutes.
- You can wait until then to shred the jackfruit or do it as the broth and jackfruit are simmering. I do it as it cooks because some can be shredded right away and it saves time.
- Just use two forks, pierce the top of a jackfruit piece with both forks and pull the forks in opposite directions. There! You are shredding.
- Turn on the oven to 400º.
- Now add the BBQ sauce and heat through. Pour all of the jackfruit into a baking sheet and spread evenly in the pan. You can use parchment paper if you want to keep the pan cleaner. It's not bad to clean though.
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. This step is for browning the jackfruit and drying it up a bit. That's why there is a variance in the baking time. You bake until you like how it looks.
- You can have your sandwiches now or it will keep covered in the refrigerator for about 4 days and reheats perfectly in a microwave.
- Toast the buns, lay on a lot of pulled jackfruit and top with homemade coleslaw. The added coleslaw is your preference. It adds a sweet and spicy contrast.
Ginny McMeans
Yes, it freezes very well Amy. Pack in a rigid freezer container with an airtight lid. It is best if used within a couple of months.
Christine
Do you know the measurement of amount of BBQ sauce this makes? You know, in case I want to use premade BBQ sauce instead of making from scratch?
Ginny McMeans
I would say to start with a cup of BBQ sauce Christine. You can always add more as premade BBQ sauce is already cooked and ready. It just needs heating. A cup is a good start and it may be all you need. You can always add more sauce at the end if you like it 'wetter'. Just heat through to make it extra delicious.
Debbie
If I omit the chili power how will it effect the taste ?
I like spicy but my husband doesn’t
Ginny McMeans
It should still taste good Debbie. It will just taste more like regular BBQ sauce.
Lotte
Hey there! I was just wondering how to go about thawing the frozen bbq jack fruit and how you’d advise reheating again? Any tips would be greatly appreciated!