Meet your new BBQ bestie! This is the best vegan pulled pork sandwich, made from jackfruit, drenched in BBQ sauce, and baked to perfection. This easy, make-ahead dish is perfect for summer get-togethers, whether you’re hosting a crowd or enjoying a cozy meal just for two.
FEATURED COMMENT:
This was fantastic. My husband and I loved it, and I am a big fan of your method of cooking the jackfruit down to the way you like it in the oven. The jalapenos and slaw were wonderful together and we thoroughly enjoyed the leftovers too. Thanks for a killer recipe!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Courtney
If you’ve had pulled pork in the past and miss it, this jackfruit version will hit the spot. If you’ve never tried it, prepare to fall head over heels. Smoky, tangy, and perfectly tender, jackfruit brings all the flavors of classic BBQ with a fresh, plant-based twist.
Served on a buttery toasted bun, this jackfruit pulled pork combines smoky richness with a flaky, tender texture. Easy to make and packed with bold flavors, it’s the ultimate summer cookout dish. Whether you’re hosting a party or enjoying a casual dinner, this recipe will impress everyone at the table, vegan or not.
Ready to experience the best BBQ vegan pulled pork recipe? Let’s dig in!
What Is Vegan Pulled Pork?
Vegan pulled pork uses young canned jackfruit to mimic traditional pulled pork. The key is to pick canned jackfruit packed in water or brine (trust us, you don’t want the syrupy stuff). In this recipe, jackfruit is drained, shredded, and baked in a smoky vegan BBQ sauce, turning it into a deliciously savory sandwich filling.
The baking process tenderizes the jackfruit, breaking down its fibrous structure and letting it soak up all those deep, rich flavors. The result? A satisfying plant-based pork that delivers bold BBQ flavor and hearty texture, perfect for stacking high on a toasted, crispy, buttery bun.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This vegan pulled pork will redefine your BBQ game. Here’s why it’s a must-try:
- Bold BBQ Flavor: This recipe delivers all the tangy, savory goodness of traditional BBQ, minus the meat. It captures that authentic taste that’s nostalgic for some, and pure plant-based goodness for others.
- Perfect Texture: Jackfruit’s tender, juicy texture mimics pulled pork so well, you’ll do a double-take. It’s a plant-based miracle for BBQ enthusiasts.
- Easy Ingredients: This easy jackfruit plant-based pork uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients that pack a flavorful punch with a subtle note of heat. Canned jackfruit can be found at almost any grocer or Asian market.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Even the most skeptical will be back for seconds. This will win over everyone at the table with its bold flavors.
- Make-ahead Marvel: Great for making ahead, with leftovers that taste just as good, if not better. Prepping this in advance makes mealtime easier and a convenient choice for potlucks!
- Healthy and Delicious: Enjoy BBQ without the meat, with a nutritious, plant-based twist. This healthy, plant-based pulled pork is satisfying and wholesome, making it a feel-good favorite.
Key Ingredients
This jackfruit pulled pork sandwich is not only delicious but incredibly simple to make. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Canned Young Jackfruit (packed only in water or brine): This tropical fruit is the star of the show, transforming into a tender, juicy base. Its fibrous nature is perfect for soaking up flavors, making it an ideal meat substitute.
- Vegan BBQ Sauce: This is where the smoky, tangy magic happens. A good BBQ sauce infuses the jackfruit with rich, bold flavors, essential for creating that classic taste we all love.
- Red Cabbage: Adds a crunchy, vibrant element to the sandwich. It provides a refreshing contrast to the tender jackfruit, ensuring every bite is balanced and satisfying.
- Vegan Mayonnaise: Creamy and rich, vegan mayo binds the slaw together, adding a smooth, luscious texture that complements the BBQ jackfruit perfectly.
- Apple Cider or Coconut Vinegar: A splash of vinegar adds a tangy kick to the slaw, brightening up the flavors and balancing out the richness of the plant-based mayo.
- Vegan Butter: Used to toast the buns, vegan butter adds a buttery crunch to each bite!
These ingredients come together to create a perfectly textured, beautifully balanced sandwich that will quickly become your new plant-based, go-to summertime dish.
How To Make
Ready to create the best vegan BBQ pulled pork sandwich you’ve ever had? The magic is truly in the preparation! Here’s what you’ll do. Scroll to the end of this post for full recipe details!
- Prepare the Jackfruit: Drain and rinse the canned jackfruit, then pull apart the pieces to create a shredded texture. Remove any seeds and overly tough cores.
- Cook the Jackfruit: Add the shredded jackfruit to a large skillet with your favorite vegan BBQ sauce and bake until it absorbs all the flavors and becomes tender and juicy. The texture should be defined and firm, yet tender. An hour and a half is the sweet spot for us! At this point, you can serve it immediately or chill and reheat it later—leftovers are fantastic!
- Make the Slaw: Toss red cabbage with vegan mayo and a splash of apple cider or coconut vinegar for a crunchy, tangy slaw. Make the slaw fresh, just before serving.
- Toast the Buns: Melt vegan butter in a skillet and toast the buns until golden and crispy.
- Assemble the Sandwich: Pile the BBQ jackfruit onto the toasted buns, top with the crunchy slaw, and jalapeños and cilantro if you’d like … enjoy!
TIP:
While this vegan pulled pork can be prepared in advance, be sure to make the slaw just before serving to avoid sogginess.
How To Serve
Want to make this plant-based pork the star of the show beyond the bun? Check out these serving ideas that will take your meal from ordinary to extraordinary:
- Plant-Based Sliders: Make mini versions of the sandwich for a fun, party-friendly option. They are perfect as appetizers or served at casual gatherings.
- Loaded Baked Potatoes: Use this to top baked or smashed potatoes along with vegan cheese, green onions, and a dollop of vegan sour cream for a hearty and comforting meal.
- Stuffed Bell Peppers: Hollow out bell peppers and stuff them with this jackfruit pulled pork, rice, beans, and your favorite vegetables, then bake until tender for a nutritious and filling dinner option.
- Vegan Nachos: Use this pulled jackfruit as a topping for plant-based nachos along with vegan cheese, jalapeños, and guacamole for a perfect snack or game-day treat.
- Wraps or Tacos: Fill soft tortillas or wraps with this jackfruit pork, avocado, salsa, and shredded lettuce for a flavorful and handheld option.
- BBQ Bowls: Serve the pulled jackfruit over cooked grains like rice or quinoa, with roasted vegetables and a drizzle of extra BBQ sauce for a satisfying and well-balanced meal.
These serving suggestions ensure that this jackfruit filling shines, whether you’re hosting a summer cookout or enjoying a casual weeknight dinner. This is a recipe you’ll want to make again and again!
FAQs
Vegan pulled pork is typically made from young canned green jackfruit, which has a fibrous texture. The jackfruit is often cooked with a flavorful BBQ sauce to mimic the taste and texture of traditional pulled pork.
Jackfruit has a mild flavor but absorbs the taste of the seasonings and sauces it’s cooked with very well. When prepared with a smoky BBQ sauce, jackfruit can closely mimic the texture and flavor profile of pulled pork, offering a similar experience to the traditional dish, minus the cruelty.
Many BBQ sauces are vegan, but it’s important to check the label for ingredients like honey or Worcestershire sauce, which are not vegan. Opt for brands that explicitly state they are vegan, or make your own to ensure all ingredients are plant-based.
More Summertime Sandwich Ideas!
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The Best Vegan Pulled Pork Sandwiches
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 4 sandwiches
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Transform your BBQ game with this vegan pulled pork sandwich! Crafted from tender jackfruit and soaked in smoky BBQ sauce, it’s the ultimate fusion of flavor and convenience. Perfect for impressing a crowd or enjoying a laid-back meal, this dish is as effortless as it is delicious.
Ingredients
for the pulled jackfruit
- 2, 20 oz. cans of jackfruit, packed in water or brine
- 2 teaspoons canola or grapeseed oil
- 1 1/2 to 2 cups vegan BBQ sauce
for the slaw
- 1 cup chopped red cabbage
- 2 teaspoons vegan mayo
- 2–3 dashes of apple cider or coconut vinegar
to serve
- 1–2 handfuls of fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
- 1 jalapeno, sliced thinly
- 4 hamburger buns
- vegan butter
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
To prepare the jackfruit
- Drain then pull the jackfruit apart to create shredded pieces. Finely chop the tough parts and discard the seeds.
- Place the oil into a large cast iron pan, rub to coat, then add in the shredded jackfruit.
- Smother with the BBQ sauce until it covers it only halfway, stir to coat, then place into the oven for 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, remove from the oven and give it a stir. Return it to the oven and let it bake for 15 minutes more.
- Repeat this process until you have a texture you like. BBQ sauces vary in viscosity and sugar content, so this time will vary. (I baked for an additional 45 minutes total to get this texture.)
- Allow the jackfruit to cool and serve immediately, or chill in a separate container and serve later by warming it up over medium-low heat in a cast iron pan until heated through.
When you are ready to serve the sandwiches
- First, toast the hamburger buns. Don’t skip this step because it really makes the sandwiches fantastic.
- To toast them, melt enough vegan butter in a clean cast-iron pan over medium heat so the bottom is covered. Place the buns in the pan for a few minutes, or until toasty and crisp around the edges.
- Repeat this process until all of your buns are golden and crispy.
To make the slaw
- Quickly toss together the cabbage, vegan mayo and vinegar.
To assemble the sandwiches
- Divide the jackfruit into four portions and place them on the toasted buns. Top with the slaw, fresh jalapeños, and cilantro. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: Reheat the jackfruit pulled pork in a skillet over medium-low heat until warmed through.
- Slaw Savvy: For the best texture and flavor, don’t make the slaw until right before serving to avoid it becoming soggy.
- Jackfruit Selection: Be sure to pick jackfruit packed in water or brine, not syrup!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Trina says
These were a hit! I added sriracha to my bbq sauce. After his first bite, my husband said, drum roll, you toasted the inside of the bun, yum!
Thanks
Trina
erin wysocarski says
Thanks so much for your feedback, Trina! A bit of spice sounds amazing. Toasting the bun is magic, right? Love that your husband enjoyed it too!
Courtney Farmer says
This was fantastic. My husband and I loved it, and I am a big fan of your method of cooking the jackfruit down to the way you like it in the oven. We also did an additional 45 minutes. The jalapenos and slaw were wonderful together and we thoroughly enjoyed the leftovers too. Thanks for a killer recipe!
erinwyso says
Courtney, thanks for your comment! Using canned items and having leftovers is great, especially now. Glad you and your husband enjoyed.
Unknown says
We eat jackfuit cooked this way a lot, it's delicious! I work at Trader Joe's & never thought about using that awesome Sriracha sauce, but will give it a try! We buy it for $1.50 a can at asian grocery stores, best place to find jack fruit in most areas. Always buy the canned in brine, NOT syrup, FYI! 🙂
Anonymous says
This recipe is ridiculously good. I attended two potlucks in the past week and I have never received so much attention in my life for a dish! I felt like I was a gourmet chef. Which is funny because this recipe is so easy. I cooked it just like the recipe said and wouldn't recommend any changes except I found TJ's siracha sauce a little too spicy so did half and half with TJ's basic bbq sauce. Definitely grill the buns.
erinwyso says
Yes, that bbq sauce can get a little intense once it reduces! Thanks so much for sharing and your kind feedback, so happy you (and others!) enjoyed. 🙂
seedandtree says
I haven't seen jackfruit cooked in the oven before. It looks like it gets the sauce really dry, in a good way.
theplantedvegan says
What a delicious looking recipe! I'm always a little scared to use jackfruit..but this recipe helped!
Anonymous says
great looking recipe, thanks for sharing. where do you buy your jackfruit? i have never been able to find it.
erinwyso says
It can be found in most Asian supermarkets or online.
acookinthemaking.com says
I love jackfruit, the texture is so great! I haven't tried that TJ's bbq sauce but now I'm thinking I will definitely pick some up. Thanks for the tip!
Julia says
Looks really good and my mouth is already watering. So I am going to try this really soon. Anyway, thanks for sharing.
Anonymous says
I can only find fresh jackfruit where I live. Never seen it in canned version. Any chance that the result would be the same?
erinwyso says
This works best with young canned jackfruit because it has a really soft texture. Mature jackfruit tends to be a bit tougher and fibrous, so I suspect the results wouldn't be quite the same. But if you try with successful results I'd love to know!
Tai Summers says
I bought a case of NATIVE FOREST brand organic canned Jackfruit-No BPA in cans-from Amazon. Prime about $27 for 12 cans.
Angela says
Trader Joe’s sells it canned.
Rachana says
You might not see this, since it has been a while – but if you get fresh jackfruit, pressure cook it first, with a little salt and water, and it will be nice and tender. You can even freeze it at this stage. Even if you bake it later, for this recipe, it will not lose it’s texture and become mush.