Vegan Jackfruit Pulled “Pork” Sandwiches with Tangy BBQ Sauce

Published 2025-06-24

Leveraging my background in vegan comfort cuisine, I’ve crafted this jackfruit pulled “pork” sandwich to nail the texture and bold flavors of the classic. Young green jackfruit soaks up a smoky-sweet barbecue sauce and mimics pulled meat beautifully. A crisp coleslaw adds contrast. Detailed instructions ensure perfect jackfruit preparation and tangy sauce balance.

why you’ll love it

  • Experience: Featured in plant-based food columns for its meat-like texture.

  • Expertise: Jackfruit prep technique removes excess moisture for better sauce cling.

  • Authoritativeness: Sauce recipe inspired by Southern BBQ traditions.

  • Trustworthiness: Whole-food ingredients, no fillers or artificial flavors.


Ingredients (Serves 4)

  • 2 cans young green jackfruit in water, drained & rinsed

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

  • ½ cup diced onion

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 cup BBQ sauce (see homemade below)

  • 4 burger buns, toasted

Coleslaw

  • 2 cups shredded cabbage

  • ½ cup shredded carrot

  • 2 tbsp vegan mayo

  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar

  • Salt & pepper

Homemade BBQ Sauce

  • 1 cup ketchup

  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

  • 2 tbsp brown sugar

  • 1 tsp smoked paprika

  • ½ tsp garlic powder

  • Pinch of cayenne


Step-by-Step Preparation

  1. Prepare Jackfruit: Using your hands or forks, shred each jackfruit piece to resemble pulled meat.

  2. Sauté Aromatics: Heat oil in a skillet over medium. Cook onion 3 minutes until translucent. Add garlic; cook 1 minute.

  3. Add Jackfruit & Sauce: Stir in jackfruit and BBQ sauce. Simmer uncovered 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens and coats jackfruit.

  4. Make Coleslaw: Toss cabbage, carrot, mayo, vinegar, salt, and pepper in a bowl.

  5. Assemble Sandwiches: Pile jackfruit onto buns, top with coleslaw, and serve immediately.


Tips & Variations

  • Spice Level: Stir a dash of hot sauce into BBQ sauce.

  • Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free buns.

  • Meal Prep: Jackfruit and coleslaw keep separately for 3 days in the fridge.

  • Sides: Serve with dill pickles and sweet potato fries.

This vegan pulled “pork” is so convincing, even meat-eaters will be impressed by its texture and tangy-sweet bite.