This pulled jackfruit is a vegan take on pulled pork. It’s rich, smoky and likely to fool all but a pork connoisseur. The recipe includes a healthy and delicious homemade barbecue sauce.
When I first heard of pulled jackfruit as a vegetarian and vegan alternative to pulled pork, I have to say I was sceptical. By now, I should really know better! When enough vegan bloggers tell you it’s delicious, I should listen. And finally I did.
Jackfruit
I’ve only ever eaten fresh jackfruit once. I was working in an organic garden in Australia when luck would have it and a massive jackfruit ripened just in time to try before I moved on. It was rich, sweet and juicy. Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) contains a whole heap of desirable nutrients, including lots of soluble fibre and some protein.
For savoury pulled jackfruit you need young green jackfruit, which we can get here in the UK in a tin. It’s quick and easy to cook and absorbs flavours really well. But its most impressive attribute is its striking resemblance to pulled pork or chicken. So come on, don’t be a swine. Protect those piggies.
If you like the idea of jackfruit as a chicken substitute, here’s a recipe for a jackfruit pot pie.
Homemade Barbecue Sauce
The rich and smoky BBQ sauce tastes just as it ought to. I like it to be complex in flavour and as healthy as possible, so I use dates and molasses instead of the more ubiquitous sugar. It makes enough for this pulled jackfruit recipe with a full jar left over.
I whizz the barbecue sauce up in the small jug of my power blender. This makes a very smooth sauce, but a stick blender would be fine for a slightly chunkier version.
Burger Buns
I served the pulled “pork” in some super soft and delicious wholemeal spelt burger buns. The recipe for these will be coming soon. I thought my kohlrabi carrot slaw would have been a good accompaniment, but it was long gone and all I had in the house was lettuce.
As it turned out, the pulled jackfruit was so flavoursome, plain lettuce was the perfect foil.
Suma
I used a tin of organic young jackfruit pieces in salted water which is Vegan Society approved. It came with my latest Suma order along with organic tamari, organic tinned tomatoes, organic olive oil, organic dates and organic stoneground spelt flour for the burger buns.
Other Meat Substitute Recipes You Might Like
- Beer battered ‘fish’ n chips via Tin and Thyme
- Carrot bacon via Yumsome
- Cheesesteak sandwiches with homemade seitan via Delightful Vegans
- Granny’s shepherd’s pie via Tin and Thyme
- Spaghetti Bolognese via Tinned Tomatoes
- Tofu lettuce tomato sandwich via Tin and Thyme
For lots more ideas for vegan recipes that can be substituted for more traditional ones, head over to my vegan recipes board on Pinterest. You’ll be surprised at just how much is out there.
Keep in Touch
Thanks for visiting Tin and Thyme. If you make this pulled jackfruit in my homemade rich smoky barbecue sauce, I’d love to hear about it in the comments below. And do please rate the recipe. Have you any top tips? Do share photos on social media too and use the hashtag #tinandthyme, so I can spot them.
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Choclette x
Pulled Jackfruit in a Rich Smoky Barbecue Sauce. PIN IT
Pulled Jackfruit – Get The Recipe
Pulled Jackfruit in a Rich Smoky Barbecue Sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
Pulled Jackfruit
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion peeled and finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic peeled and finely chopped
- ½ tsp cumin seeds
- 1 pinch sea salt
- good grinding of black pepper
- 400 g tinned green jackfruit in brine
- 50 g salad leaves
- 4 burger buns
Barbecue Sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion peeled and finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic peeled and finely chopped
- ½ tsp cumin seeds
- 400 g tinned plum tomatoes
- 4 dates pitted
- 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp red wine (optional)
- 1 tbsp molasses
- 1 tbsp tamari (affiliate link) (or soy sauce of choice)
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 small red chilli
Instructions
Pulled Jackfruit
- Warm both lots of olive oil up in a frying pan. Add all the onions and fry over a low to medium heat for ten minutes.
- Add the salt and pepper together with all of the garlic and both lots of cumin seeds. Fry for a further couple of minutes or until the onion is golden and starting to caramelise.
- Remove half of the mixture and place in a medium saucepan and make the BBQ sauce.
- Drain the jackfruit and roughly slice the pieces. Add to the onions and fry for a couple of minutes.
- Add 6 tbsp of the barbecue sauce and stir in. Cook for a further 5 minutes or until the sauce has been more or less absorbed.
- Serve in wholemeal burger buns with crisp lettuce or salad leaves of choice.
Barbecue Sauce
- Add all of the remaining ingredients to the onions in the pan. Bring to the boil and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Blend until smooth. I used the small jug of my Optimum G2.3 blender.
Notes
Nutrition Estimate
Linkies
This pulled jackfruit in a rich smoky barbecue sauce is my ninth recipe for the Suma Blogger’ Network. I’m also sharing the recipe with Jac at Tinned Tomatoes for Meat Free Mondays. And finally, I’m linking it up to #CookBlogShare hosted this week by Hijacked By Twins.
Some of the ingredients for this recipe were provided by Suma. I was not expected to write a positive review and all opinions are, as always, my own. The post contains affiliate links, which are marked with an asterisk*. Buying through a link will not cost you any more, but I will get a small commission. Thank you for your support of the brands and organisations that help to keep Tin and Thyme blithe and blogging.
Foodie says
Hi Choclette, I first tried pulled Jackfruit in a veggie cafe in Truro about a month ago. I then went online and bought some myself, same as yours..
Choclette says
Ooh, how exciting to know you can get pulled jackfruit in Truro. Was it Archie Brown’s?
Cathy @ Planet Veggie says
I’ve seen jackfruit mentioned for ages now but haven’t seen any in the shops yet. This is inspiring me to look harder for some though!
Choclette says
I’m sure any good health shop will stock tinned jackfruit Cathy. It’s so trendy now.
Kate @ Veggie Desserts says
Oooh this looks absolutely incredible. I need to get my hands on some jackfruit!
Choclette says
You absolutely do Kate. I think you’ll like it.
Kat (The Baking Explorer) says
I really want to try this, it looks so yummy! I’m going to track some of the tinned stuff down.
Choclette says
Yes, do try it Kat. It’s surprisingly good. I need to get hold of some more tins now.
The Bearded Hiker says
I have tried BBQ jackfruit before and I was a disaster. It was a slow cooker recipe and I think I had a crappy BBQ sauce. Seeing your recipe makes me want to give it a go again because it looks just like the real thing and the texture is good too.
I’ll let you know!
Choclette says
Yes do let me know how you get on. I thoroughly enjoyed this and more to the point, so did CT.
Nico @ yumsome says
I’ve never had pulled pork or chicken, and I’m not a huge BBQ fan (always too sweet for me unless I make it myself) but I have to admit that I’d gobble this up in a heartbeat. It looks soooo good!
Thank you so much for linking to my carrot bacon recipe – I really appreciate it! xx
(Have shared this post all over social media, so I hope lots more people get to see this amazingness!)
Choclette says
Aw thanks Nico. Your carrot bacon pin is still my top repin – you must have absolutely thousands now. I now what you mean about BBQ sauce. I’m not a fan either, but this homemade stuff isn’t too sweet at all and it makes fab pulled jackfruit.
Eb Gargano | Easy Peasy Foodie says
Oh I absolutely love this idea, Choclette – my mouth is watering. I’ve never tried Jackfruit but I really want to now!! And that BBQ sauce sounds amazing – another good thing to make with a Froothie Optimum 2.3!! 😀 Eb x
Choclette says
Yes indeed. That Optimum G2.3 is fab – as is the BBQ sauce 🙂 Let me know how you get on if you do try the jackfruit.
Mandy says
I’ve had pulled jackfruit twice now in vegan cafes and have loved it. My extremely carnivorous husband loved it too. I haven’t been able to find it to buy though – despite living near Brixton which has food from all over the world – I probably haven’t looked in the right shop! As soon as I find it I’m making this.
Choclette says
Ooh, you’ve done well. I’d love to see pulled jackfruit in a cafe. CT reckoned many meat eaters would barely know the difference if they didn’t know. I’m not sure you can buy fresh jackfruit over here and it’s the young green ones you want not the mature fruit. Any good health food shop should stock the tins.
Nico @ yumsome says
Mandy, if you can get to Gerrard Street in Soho, you should be able to find fresh jackfruit in the Chinese supermarkets there.
Failing that, you’ll almost certainly find the canned variety in most Asian supermarkets. 🙂
Choclette says
Ooh, I didn’t know you could get it over here. Thanks for the tip.
Rhian @ Rhian's Recipes says
These look super delicious! You’ve managed to convince me I need to stop living under a rock and try some jackfruit 🙂
Choclette says
Haha, it took me long enough to come out. I’m glad I finally did though.
Chrissy Faery says
Ohh! Pulled Jackfruit is sooo good, I love using it in my tamales! 🙂 I’ll definitely have to try this recipe out though, as those buns look super delicious! <3 xxx
Choclette says
Thanks Chrissy. I shall be posting the recipe for the buns in a couple of days. They have a secret ingredient which makes the buns really soft.
Amy Beeton says
Really glad you enjoyed the Jackfruit! I’m a real fan of BBQ sauce and you can’t beat the homemade stuff, looks yummy!
Choclette says
I’m so glad I tried the jackfruit Amy, I’m a convert now. Thanks for the opportunity. And homemade BBQ sauce is definitely the best 🙂
Elinor Kugler says
This looks like the real thing! And that bbq sauce sounds fantastic! You have convinced me to give it a try Choclette, as I too have been skeptical about this fruit, until now!
Choclette says
Well I was very pleasantly surprised, but do let me know what you think Elinor.
Claire Jessiman says
Awww I was all excited to find out what a Jackfruit was only to find you’d used a tin. Not something I’ve ever come across before. Will probably see it everywhere now!
Choclette says
Yes, sorry about that. I’ve never seen a fresh jackfruit in the UK before. You wouldn’t want to use a ripe one for this recipe anyway, they are very sweet.
Janice says
That’s amazing, it looks so like meat! Jackfruit may well revolutionise veggie food, I just hope it can be grown sustainably.
Choclette says
Well yes, there is that issue and the fact we can’t grow it over here. It’s the sort of thing it’s good to have a bit of variety, but probably shouldn’t be a staple – not in the UK anyway.
TurksWhoEat says
What a great looking sandwich! I’ve never tried jackfruit but this looks very good and pairing with the homemade bbq sauce sounds great.
Choclette says
Young green jackfruit is a very different thing to sweet ripe jackfruit, but it works brilliantly in this sort of dish.
Julie's Family Kitchen says
Oh wow, it really looks like pulled pork. I’m sure any hardened meat eater would love to try it, looks divine. #CookBlogShare
Choclette says
It really is one of the better substitutes I’ve come across – so far!
Monika Dabrowski says
Oh my goodness, what a wonderful recipe! I am going to hunt for jackfruit in a tin today! I had no idea you could get it here. I think I might have had it in Australia too, in an ice cream but I can’t be sure as there was an array of unusual ingredients in it so I might be mistaken. #CookBlogShare:)
Choclette says
Thanks Monika. The tinned jackfruit certainly make it easy to prepare. Make sure you get the young green fruit in brine. I’m now craving jackfruit ice cream. What a fantabulous idea.
Cliona Keane says
I had never seen jackfruit until recently but I’ve seen it pop up a few times recently and this looks sensational! I think I’ll definitely have to give it a go! #CookBlogShare
Choclette says
It took me far longer than it should have done to try, but I’m so glad I finally managed it. I will be making it again for sure.
Kirsty Hijacked By Twins says
I have never tried jackfruit before but wow this looks delicious. I will be keeping an eye out for some next time I am shopping. Thank you for sharing with #CookBlogShare x
Choclette says
Fresh jackfruit is something else, but young green jackfruit are a perfect sponge to throw whatever flavours you want at it.
Katie | delightfulvegans says
This looks incredible! I’ve been experimenting with jackfruit recipes lately too! It’s such an odd ingredient – but somehow it works!! 😀
Choclette says
Thank you Katie. This was my first foray into jackfruit, but I was so impressed, I will definitely be using it again.
Kath says
Well, I have never tried jackfruit but it sounds intriguing. The spelt burger buns look lovely. Looking forward to seeing the recipe for those.
Choclette says
Ah the spelt burger buns! They have a secret ingredient which seems to work really well. I must write up the recipe before I forget what I did!
Kate - gluten free alchemist says
I so have to try jackfruit….. I too have seen it on a number of blogs and it has caught my eye (regardless of not being a vegetarian). I even saw them selling it ‘pulled’ in my home-town harbour the other week (but it was being served in glutenous buns)
I had no idea that you could get it in tins though! x
Choclette says
Oh, I’ve not seen pulled jackfruit for sale anywhere yet, but there aren’t that many vegan or even vegetarian eateries near me. I’ve never seen fresh jackfruit for sale here either, so tins seems a good way to go. Plus it makes the preparation a whole heap easier.
Fiona Maclean says
I’ve never come across Jackfruit. Now going to be looking out for it as this looks delicious!
Choclette says
It really is delicious Fiona – much better than I was expecting.
Lucy Parissi says
I do love jackfruit – even managed to convince my hardcore meat eater husband that it was delicious enough for dinner! I wish it wasn’t so expensive to buy I haven’t found it anywhere but on Amazon.
Choclette says
It is surprising how “meaty” it seems. I’m hoping if it becomes more popular, it will come down in price. I can certainly see me making it again – and again!
Sus // roughmeasures.com says
I still haven’t every tried jackfruit, but I really need to. This BBQ sauce sounds perfect for the summer.
Choclette says
It took me long enough Sus, but I’m glad I finally got around to it. The BBQ sauce is so good.
Dom says
Oooh. When I saw this on Facebook I seriously had to take a moment to think ‘but C is a vegetarian’ but now I know. I think I saw an article about this dish a couple of weeks back and was so intrigued and so glad you made it and that it clearly looks lovely and tasted good. The Viking will be happy!!
Choclette says
It does look scarily meaty. But it really does taste good and is a good inclusive dish which I reckon most meat eaters would enjoy. Tell the Viking he has me to thank 😉
Michelle @ Greedy Gourmet says
Ah, I was just about to ask where you bought the jackfruit from but then saw it was canned. Wouldn’t it be lovely if there were plentiful fresh ones? This pulled version looks fab!
Choclette says
I expect you can get fresh ones in London, but I’ve never seen one here in the UK. It would be lovely though.
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
That looks exactly like pulled chicken 🙂 Excellent, Choclette.
Choclette says
Thanks Angie. It was meant to look like pulled pork, but I guess there’s not much difference 😉