Jackfruit BBQ Recipe
This Jackfruit BBQ Recipe is so good, it’s bound to fool even the most dedicated meat-eaters at your table. It’s got that staple smoky, savory flavor, and can you believe it comes together in just 15 minutes in a single pot? This dish is perfect whether you’re plant-based, vegetarian, or just a curious soul lookin’ to try something new and delicious.
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- Recipe Name: Jack Fruit Barbecue Sandwiches
- Ready In: 15 minutes
- Serves: 4 people
- Main Ingredients: can young green jackfruit in water or brine, barbecue sauce
- Why You'll Love It: Jack Fruit BBQ is a great dish for plant based diets, Vegetarians, or anyone who just wants to try something new and off the beaten path!
How to Make Amazing BBQ… with a Fruit!
When summer barbecue season rolls around, I’m usually all about my Southern grilled cheeseburgers or a big ol’ rack of BBQ ribs with veggies.
But if you’re a vegetarian, you might feel like you’re missing out on all the fun. And for those of us hosting, it can be a real head-scratcher tryin’ to figure out how to include everyone in the feast. Well, y’all are about to be completely blown away by today’s recipe!
Not only is it the easiest barbecue you’ve ever made, but it’s also stunningly delicious – and made with a FRUIT. If you’ve spent most of your life steeped in Southern food culture (like myself) you probably have no idea what to expect from a BBQ jackfruit sandwich, and you may be glancing up at that picture over and over just wondering how something that looks so much like tender, juicy pulled pork can be anything else!
Well, as an old dog, I confess that it’s nice to learn a few new tricks every now and then so I’m going to pass this one on just in case some of y’all would like to expand your horizons, too.
Reader Rating
“I just made this and it was very good. I only changed the sauce and used Paul Newman brand instead since it has no high fructose syrup in it. Thanks for sharing this. I hope you can share more vegan recipes in the future.” – Anna
Ingredients
- Barbecue sauce – use your favorite! Or try my sweet & tangy easy BBQ sauce recipe!
- A can of young green jackfruit (in water or brine)
- Burger buns (if you’re going the sandwich route)
How To Make Jackfruit BBQ Step by Step
1. Prep the Jackfruit
To start, drain your jackfruit in a colander.
Then add it to a medium to large skillet over medium high heat, using your fingers or a spatula to mash it up a bit.
Note: Mashing the jackfruit is important, as it’ll separate into little meat looking strands as pictured. Doesn’t that look like meat? It’s amazing!
2. Cook
Cook this for about 5-10 minutes, stirring often to get more of the water cooked out of it.
3. Add BBQ Sauce & Serve
Now add in your BBQ sauce – the amount is up to you. I usually add about a cup.
Then just stir that up and continue cooking until heated through, then serve.
That’s it!
Does it taste like BBQ? Yes, it sure does. To me, there is a slight juicy burst to the last part of the bite that is reminiscent of eating pineapple in terms of texture, but the flavor itself is BBQ all the way!
I hope you get to try this soon. It will definitely fool some folks!
Tips for the Best Jackfruit BBQ
- Don’t be afraid to let the jackfruit get a little browned and crispy in the pan before you add the sauce. This gives it a much better texture.
- Any BBQ sauce works, but I find that a thicker, smokier sauce holds up best and gives it that classic pulled pork flavor.
- To take it up a notch, I sometimes add a bit of garlic powder and smoked paprika to the jackfruit while it’s cooking down.
- This stuff is even better the next day! I love making a big batch and having leftovers for a quick lunch on a salad or in a wrap.
Ways to Serve Your Jackfruit BBQ
As you can tell from the pictures, I love enjoying my jackfruit BBQ just like I would pulled pork! So we’re talking a creamy and tangy coleslaw topping, a side of hearty Southern baked beans with ground beef and some fluffy buns.
Other great ways to serve your jackfruit BBQ include topping on a baked potato, over nachos with melted cheese and all the fixings, or mixed in with oven-baked mac and cheese for an indulgent BBQ mac and cheese.
How to Store This Jackfruit BBQ Recipe
If you have any leftovers, you can place them in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for about 4 or 5 days. It also freezes really well for up to 3 months! Just make sure you let it cool down completely before you put it away, and store it separately from your buns or toppings so nothing gets mushy.
Jackfruit BBQ Recipe FAQs
It doesn’t taste like fruit. With barbecue sauce, it tastes like pork! I promise, I am not yanking your chain. You are going to be blown away. But it is important that you get the right kind of jackfruit.
You want it to say “Young, Green.” Either both or one of those descriptors is fine. Young jackfruit is not sweet and easily adapts to any flavor sauce you cook it with. You also want to make sure it is in either water or brine, not syrup. I have always managed to find jackfruit in water so that is my preference.
If you have an Asian market near you they will most likely have a ton of it on their shelves. Other health food grocers may have it as well (such as Whole Foods, etc). You can also buy it online at places like Walmart.com, although my local Walmart does not carry it in the store.
Did this Jackfruit BBQ fool your family and friends? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below! Don’t forget to leave a star rating so others can find this recipe too.
Ingredients
- 14 oz can young green jackfruit in water or brine
- 1 cup barbecue sauce your favorite!
Instructions
- Drain jackfruit in a colander. Place in large skillet over medium high heat. Chop up with spatula or chopper* and stir often for 5-10 minutes until more water is evaporated.
- Add in enough bbq sauce to taste- I usually add about a cup. Stir and continue cooking until heated through. Serve on buns and enjoy!
I’ve had a can of the young green jackfruit on my pantry shelf for a while and now I’m going to try it! I don’t know why I’ve been hesitant but if you say it’s good, then I’ll try it ! Thank you !
I own your Southern Plate cookbook and really enjoy it! Tonight I’m cooking your country casserole for the first time. We are looking forward to eating it! Thank you so much for the recipe!
I had an idea, since there is just my husband and I, I made one recipe and put half in a zip lock bag and put that in my freezer. I’m cooking the other one half of the recipe tonight but it’s in a 9×9 dish not the 11×13 dish. This way we won’t eat leftovers for several nights.
Wow! So glad to see this post! I have followed you for several years, adjusting your recipes to our vegetarian lifestyle. Haven’t eaten meat, fish or chicken for 30+ years. Just recently went a step further and eliminated eggs and cheese. Seasoned cooked brown lentils work well in tacos or Sloppy Joes to replace the meat. Another good sub is Butler Soy Curls especially in place of chicken. I use your Dinner In A Dish recipe often, in fact last night. Just use all veggies! Yum! I also want to thank you for sharing your walk with our Father!
Whoa! You just blew my mind! Must try this. Bet some Fire and Ice Salad would be great with it.
I am trying to eat more plant based foods and less meat – this is something I really want to try!
Thank you for your amazing website – you are a blessing!
Thank you so much, Judith! I’m so glad I could be helpful. I appreciate your encouragement!
I have never in my life even heard of JackFruit, but will sure try to find some and try it.
The pictures look just like a chicken BBQ sandwich. This would be a real easy way to make BBQ! Thanks for sharing with us.
Thank you so much, Margie! It really does taste like it, too! This is just the neatest most versatile fruit. I’m glad I took the leap and tried it!
New idea for me.
Does your niece have a recipe for tacos or burrito?
Hey Trish! I made her taco meat while she was visiting recently using beef tvp granules. Have you ever tried those? This is a link to just let you know what they look like. They are very lightweight, shelf stable, and puff up a good bit so a little goes a long way. https://amzn.to/2ZEQfgd You could also use Jackfruit. Jackfruit with taco seasoning would make an excellent burrito!
Just looking at the picture, I would have never known it wasn’t shredded meat. Wow!