BBQ Jackfruit

Are you craving BBQ? This BBQ jackfruit recipe combines the sweet and spicy BBQ with sauteed onions and garlic for a tasty sandwich, salad topping, or as an entree right out of a bowl. Top with coleslaw with apples in a maple dijon dressing, and you'll fall in love.

When I first became vegan, I was not fond of jackfruit. Similar to tofu, at the time, it seemed slimy and disgusting. Of course, it had nothing to do with the jackfruit or the tofu; it was me. I didn't know how to cook jackfruit or tofu, for that matter. But, as time progressed I learned, I am now obsessed with both. And with all obsessions comes insanely good food like this BBQ jackfruit recipe.  

What is Jackfruit? 

Though commonly found in a can, jackfruit is a high protein, high antioxidant fruit. Its bland flavor is the perfect texture and blank slate to absorb any marinade or spices. As a result, the jackfruit's neutral flavor allows me to transform it into shredded meat with various flavors. 

Jackfruit has the texture of chicken! I didn't say it tastes like chicken because, obviously, I don't like chicken.  But I love barbeque! 

Making pulled BBQ jackfruit, however, satisfies my love for barbequed foods! So, if you meal prep, take BBQ jackfruit to work for the week as a sandwich, in a bowl, wrap, or on top of a salad. Anyway, you like it; BBQ jackfruit is the bomb!  

Preparing Jackfruit

When drained and removed from a can, jackfruit looks like triangles of chicken. It is tasteless if you taste it, as it comes from the can. Jackfruit's bland flavor makes it the perfect sponge for absorbing flavors. 

For me, the fun is transforming a can of jackfruit into incredible BBQ jackfruit that would fool any meat eater. But first, buying the jackfruit in water or brine is essential. 

However, one of the biggest mistakes people make is buying jackfruit in syrup. Unfortunately, I made this mistake and threw my whole meal away. And I hate wasting food. So, avoid that pitfall and buy jackfruit in water or brine. 

Then, rinse the jackfruit, put it in your food processor, and pulse until shredded. 

Although many recipes suggest using the jackfruit as is, I beg to differ.

Instead, I like to cook it first. Like my vegan buffalo chicken dip, cooking the jackfruit first gives it a different texture and flavor. 

For the jackfruit to get the right flavor and texture, my goal is for the jackfruit to absorb the onions and BBQ sauce's flavors. 

BBQ Jackfruit Ingredients

Believe it or not, bbq jackfruit has very few ingredients, and it is simple to make. All you need is: 

• Jackfruit: Buy jackfruit in brine or water. It is generally found in the canned vegetable section of the grocery store.
• White Onion: White onions are strong in flavor but sweeten as they cook.
• Garlic: I prefer using fresh garlic cloves for the best flavor.
• BBQ Sauce: I make homemade BBQ sauce because I don't like all the preservatives in bottled BBQ sauce.
• Buns: I buy all my vegan, oil-free bread from a bakery in town, at the farmer's market, or in the fresh bakery section of my local grocery store.

That's it! So, in 15 minutes, you can be eating delicious BBQ jackfruit sandwiches! 

Homemade BBQ Sauce Ingredients

Because I prefer to make my condiments, I make my BBQ sauce when possible. Why should you make your own? You can only really know what is in your food by making it yourself, so I like to make it myself. 

Of course, you can use your favorite BBQ sauce instead of making your own. But, if you are interested in making your own, this is what you need for healthier BBQ sauce:

• White Onion: White onions are strong in flavor but sweeten as they cook.
• Garlic: I prefer using fresh garlic cloves.
• Organic Tomato Paste: I like POMI brand tomato paste made from only tomatoes without any added sugar or salt.
• Tomato Sauce: I also use POMI brand tomato sauce for the same reason.
• Pure Maple Syrup: Maple syrup is used to sweeten the sauce without adding refined sugar.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar gives the sauce its tanginess.
• Vegan Worcestershire Sauce: I like Annie's Vegan Worcestershire Sauce.
• Molasses: Molasses adds another dimension of flavor. molasses boasts a very robust flavor.
• Dijon Mustard: The dijon mustard adds a rich flavor.
• Paprika: Paprika is fruity, with slightly sweet notes and vivid red color; it brightens a sauce.
• Pepper: Pepper is used to add additional flavor.
• Cayenne Pepper: Cayenne pepper adds a mild flavor boost without making the sauce too spicy.

Homemade BBQ Sauce Ingredient Substitutions

• If you are looking for a store-bought oil-free BBQ sauce, I sometimes use Simple Girl Organic BBQ Sauce. Also, I like a sugar-free one, but it is a Carolina BBQ sauce flavor called Simple Girl Carolina Style BBQ Sauce.
• Use yellow onion instead of white onion.
• Substitute ketchup for tomato paste.
• Try date syrup as a replacement for maple syrup.
• White vinegar is an excellent substitute for apple cider vinegar.
• Combine equal amounts of soy sauce, white vinegar, and ketchup for a vegan Worcestershire sauce substitute.
• Stone-ground mustard is similar to dijon mustard.
• Smoked paprika gives the sauce a smoky flavor.
• Red pepper flakes are similar to cayenne pepper.

Again, if you are looking for a shortcut to making your BBQ sauce, you must read the label to avoid oil and sugar by following a low-fat or no-sugar lifestyle. 

How to Cook BBQ Jackfruit Recipe

1. To get the right texture and dry out the jackfruit, cook it in stages and wait to add the BBQ sauce. 
2. Once the jackfruit is shredded, start by sauteing the onions and garlic in a large non-stick skillet.
3. I use vegetable broth while cooking the onions and garlic to avoid sticking, but caramelize as they cook. 
4. Then, add the shredded jackfruit, and cook on medium-low, adding a little vegetable broth as it cooks until the jackfruit is dried out.
5. Although this may sound incorrect, you are adding vegetable broth, and the jackfruit dries out as it cooks. 
6. The final step, of course, is to add the BBQ sauce. However, the amount of BBQ sauce you add depends on how much you want. We like it saucy, so I added more right before serving. 

Another bonus to this easy BBQ jackfruit recipe is you can eat it immediately or make it ahead of time and reheat it when you want to eat. Since I meal prep, I cooked it beforehand, which lets the flavors go deeper into the jackfruit. 

Suggested Side Dishes

Because I wanted a little salad with my BBQ sandwich, I topped my sandwich with Pineapple Coleslaw. Since I made macaroni salad earlier in the day, I served it as a side dish. 

• Steak Fries Air Fried and Crispy
• Oven-Baked Fries
• Vegan Scalloped Potatoes
• German Potato Salad

Recipe FAQs

Tips

• When I drain the jackfruit, I rinse it to remove the brine. I also suggest removing and discarding the seeds using your fingers.
• If you don't have a food processor, shred the jackfruit using two forks.
• Cook teh jackfruit low and slow, drying it out completely, before adding any sauce.
• Do not add the sauce until the end for the best texture, and so it doesn't it mushy.
• Store cooked BBQ jackfruit in the refrigerator covered for up to 5 days.
• Spread the jackfruit onto a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to reheat leftovers. Cook in a 350-degree oven for 20 minutes.

   Now you know how to make BBQ jackfruit, share this fantastic BBQ jackfruit recipe with your family and friends. 

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