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Home Blog Dietary Concern Vegan

BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches

Cheryl Malik
Cheryl Malik Posted: 03/06/20 Updated: 02/01/22
5
/5
11 Comments
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DF Dairy Free LC Low Carb V Vegan VG Vegetarian

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Vegan and 15 minute BBQ jackfruit sandwiches
Vegan and 15 minute BBQ jackfruit sandwiches

This BBQ jackfruit tastes so much like pulled pork, we can’t get over it! Sweet, tangy, and tender, with a super satisfying texture. Top with the easy coleslaw on a couple of buns for the perfect vegetarian or vegan BBQ sandwich. Oh, and the BBQ jackfruit recipe uses only 5 ingredients and takes just about 10 minutes.

BBQ jackfruit sandwich on brioche bun with coleslaw and pickles

Why This Sandwich Is So Good

  • It’s the perfect vegetarian version of a tangy, saucy pulled pork sandwich — and I should know since I’m from Memphis, the home of BBQ!
  • Jackfruit is an amazing meat substitute — like the most tender, juicy pork you’ve ever eaten. This recipe for BBQ jackfruit only has 5 ingredients!
  • This sandwich is so easy and so fast to make! Only 15 minutes until you’re in BBQ heaven.

How To Make It

  1. Mix together the apple cider vinegar, the coleslaw mix, the mayonnaise, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and a few pinches of pepper in a bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.
  2. Drain and seed the jackfruit. You can either use to forks to pull it apart or try using a hand mixer on low.
  3. Add the barbecue rub, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper to the jackfruit pulled pork and combine well.
  4. Heat the avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the oil is shimmering. Add the jackfruit and toss occasionally about 2-3 minutes or until the jackfruit is fragrant.
  5. Reduce the heat to low and add the barbecue sauce to the skillet, the cover. Stir occasionally, cooking about 5 minutes, or until the jackfruit pulled pork is tender.
  6. Heat up some vegan butter in a skillet, then add buns with the cut side down. Toast until golden and lightly browned in spots. Serve jackfruit on buns with coleslaw and pickles.
Instructions for vegan 15 minute BBQ jackfruit sandwich

But What IS Jackfruit?

  • Jackfruit is related to breadfruit and figs with a consistency like chicken or pork.
  • By itself, jackfruit doesn’t taste like much of anything, which makes it perfect as a meat substitute with sauces.
  • Jackfruit is super nutritious and low in calories and cholesterol.

Chef’s Tips

  • Make sure you buy jackfruit in water, not in juice or brine.
  • You can substitute the buns with potato or gluten-free buns, but we love, love, LOVE a soft, buttery brioche bun with our barbecue.
  • Use vegan mayonnaise for the coleslaw for vegan.
Three vegan BBQ jackfruit sandwiches with a side of barbecue sauce

More Tasty Recipes You’ll Love

  • Crockpot BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
  • Whole30 Pork and Pineapple Bowls with Plantains, Coconut Cauliflower Rice, and Avocado Lime Mousse
  • Whole30 Chili
  • Whole30 Chicken Curry (Low Carb, Paleo)

Hey – you’ve made it this far, and now we’re best friends! If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a star rating ★ below. Make sure you follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook, too!

Hey – you’ve made it this far, so now we’re basically best friends! If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a quick review & star rating ★ below. Make sure you follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook, too!

Three vegan BBQ jackfruit sandwiches with a side of barbecue sauce
5 from 3 votes

BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches

Prep:5 minutes
Cook:10 minutes
The perfect vegetarian version of a saucy, tangy pulled pork BBQ sandwich.
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4

Ingredients

  • 8 ounce coleslaw mix
  • 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons mayonnaise See notes
  • 40 ounces jackfruit about 2 cans, in water
  • 2 teaspoons barbecue rub
  • 1 tablespoons avocado oil
  • 1 cup barbecue sauce
  • salt
  • pepper
  • 4 brioche buns See notes
  • pickles sliced

Instructions 

  • Mix together the vinegar, coleslaw mix, mayonnaise, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and a few pinches of pepper in a bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.
  • Drain and seed jackfruit. Pull apart with two forks or use a hand mixer on low to break apart.
  • Add the BBQ rub, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper to the jackfruit and combine.
  • Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the jackfruit, tossing occasionally, until fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Add the BBQ sauce to the skillet, reduce heat to low, and cover. Stir occasionally and cook about 5 minutes or until tender.
  • For the buns, heat up a little vegan butter in a skillet. Add buns, cut side down, and toast until golden and lightly browned in spots. Serve jackfruit on buns with coleslaw and pickles, if desired.

Notes

  • For vegan: Use vegan mayonnaise.
  • Bun alternatives: Use potato buns or gluten-free buns

Nutrition Information

Calories: 877kcal, Carbohydrates: 138g, Protein: 16g, Fat: 33g, Saturated Fat: 13g, Cholesterol: 148mg, Sodium: 1202mg, Potassium: 1549mg, Fiber: 7g, Sugar: 80g, Vitamin A: 1312IU, Vitamin C: 60mg, Calcium: 187mg, Iron: 3mg, Net Carbs: 131g

Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

 

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

 

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.

© Author: Cheryl Malik

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Cheryl Malik

Meet Cheryl Malik

Cheryl Malik is the recipe developer, writer, and photographer behind the healthy, flavorful, family friendly recipes at 40 Aprons. She's been a blogger for 10+ years and is known for her delicious recipes and detailed recipe instructions. Cheryl is a mom of three who lives in Memphis, TN.

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  1. Jennah says

    Posted on 1/12/21 at 1:32 pm

    My store only had jackfruit in brine 🙁 should I rinse it in water? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Savannah | 40 Aprons Team says

      Posted on 1/14/21 at 12:09 pm

      If you drain it, it should be ok! There might be a slight difference in flavor depending on the brine. Watch the salt!5 stars

      Reply
  2. Linda C says

    Posted on 5/22/20 at 5:55 pm

    I tried these BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches today and was so surprised at how good they really were. I truly lost count of how many times my husband complimented me on our delicious lunch. I had not heard of jackfruit prior to learning of this recipe. I enjoy trying new recipes and this one is a 5-star winner. Am anxious to try the BBQ Jackfruit Bowls knowing how delicious the sandwiches were. My cans of jackfruit were only 14 oz, however, I still only used 2 cans and that was the perfect amount for the 1 cup of bbq sauce.
    Thank you, Cheryl, for this amazing recipe.5 stars

    Reply
  3. Erica says

    Posted on 3/6/20 at 11:44 am

    Looks amazing!5 stars

    Reply
    • Cheryl MalikCheryl Malik says

      Posted on 3/10/20 at 3:05 pm

      Thanks!

      Reply

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