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    Home / Recipes / Under 20 Minute Meals

    BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches (20 minutes)

    Jan 7, 2022 · Updated: Jan 8, 2024 by Dee Dine · Affliate links disclosure.

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    Jackfruit BBQ sandwich in a bun with tomato and kale in a toasted bun.

    These BBQ jackfruit sandwiches have the chewy flavor and texture of pulled pork along with a savory smoky BBQ sauce. Serve it as a meat-free sandwich in under 20 minutes.

    bbq jackfruit sandwich in a bun


    BBQ jackfruit sandwiches are a meatless, yet quite meaty sandwich made from canned or fresh jackfruit. Jackfruit makes a healthy and delicious alternative to meat, such as pulled pork, and is super easy to work with.

    In this sandwich recipe, it makes a filling, savory burger-like sandwich similar to a sloppy joe or a pulled pork sandwich. The perfect summer barbeque addition or even a hearty winter meal. Read on to learn how to make this spicy jackfruit sandwich in just 20 minutes.

    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love Jackfruit
    • How to Break Down Jackfruit
    • Ingredients for Sandwiches
    • How to Make BBQ Jackfruit
    • How to Store
    • Variations 
    • How to Serve
    • FAQS
    • Other Comfort Food Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe

    Why You'll Love Jackfruit

    1. Jackfruit is a wonderful meat replacer because it can emulate shredded meat, easily absorbing spices and sauce flavors, and it is also healthy. The fruit is also rich in a slew of vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, fiber, healthy fat and protein yet no cholesterol or saturated fats.

    2. Jackfruit is huge, a melon fruit (often around 80 pounds) that hangs off an evergreen tree in India. In the USA, we can find it canned, or fresh, probably most likely in Asian supermarkets.

    3. Jackfruit has two flavor personalities. When it is young and green, it's perfect for savory recipes like these BBQ jackfruit sandwiches. When it is ripe and sweet, it's perfect for desserts such as my tropical jackfruit smoothie.

    How to Break Down Jackfruit

    Below you can see the inside of a fresh jackfruit melon. The stringy meat you see is what is used for savory recipes; the yellow pods minus seeds are used for sweet recipes. You can choose to break down a fresh jackfruit or buy the green meat in cans. Read on to learn how to break down a fresh one.

    Expert tip: Breaking down a jackfruit is fairly messy so spread newspapers or other helpful coverings on your table before beginning.

    steps to breakdown jackfruit.

    step 1: Wash off the outside like you would a watermelon.

    step 2: Cut it in half like you would any melon.

    step 3: Scoop out the yellow pods that dot the insides.

    step 4: Within each fleshy pod, you scoop out a hard seed. Toss the hard seeds away.

    Expert tip: The yellow pods are for sweet recipes like that smoothie I mentioned while the stringy meat that the pods lay in is what you use for a savory recipes such as this BBQ Jackfruit sandwich.

    Ingredients for Sandwiches

    Jackfruit - Shredded meat from either a fresh but less ripe jackfruit, or canned jackfruit. Look for it packaged in brine or water, but not a syrup. If you see seeds, you can safely eat them in the canned version, they are soft enough.

    BBQ Sauce - Choose your favorite. I love this one.

    Brown Sugar

    Vegetable Broth

    Onion, Garlic, chopped

    Spices - Cumin, chili powder, cayenne pepper, pepper, salt

    chopping jackfruit.

    How to Make BBQ Jackfruit

    Step 1: Rinse off the fresh shredded jackfruit or open cans of jackfruit and rinse, and shred further if needed by using a small sharp knife to pull away the sides. 

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    Step 2: Toss the shredded jackfruit in the broth, sugar and spices. Set aside.

    Step 3: Heat a skillet coated with oil and saute until brown the chopped onion and garlic.

    Step 4: Add in the jackfruit mixture and let it sit for about 5 minutes to create a crispy crust. Check though to be sure it's not burning. Toss for another 3 minutes to heat through. You aren't really cooking it, just melding flavors.

    Step 5: Transfer to a bowl and toss in barbecue sauce. 

    Step 6: Serve immediately on buns with greens and tomatoes and maybe more sauce. Enjoy!

    bbq jackfruit in a pan.

    How to Store

    Store BBQ jackfruit in the refrigerator for 4 days or freeze the jackfruit mixture before or after barbeque sauce is added for about 2 months. Thaw, warm in the microwave or in a skillet and toss with fresh barbeque sauce.

    Variations 

    Spicy. Add a small amount of chopped jalapeno peppers.

    Onions. Chop ¼ cup of green scallions and toss those in with the broth.

    Greek-style. Add ¼ cup black olives, tossing in with barbeque sauce after heating is done.

    How to Serve

    1. Serve BBQ jackfruit on buns with lettuce and tomato slices as you would a sloppy joe, pulled pork or even a burger.
    2. Serve on a pan with fixings buffet style so people can build their own sandwich.
    3. Serve alone as a side for a different sandwich or protein.

    FAQS

    Can I make BBQ jackfruit in an air fryer?

    Yes, but the jackfruit might dry it out so you'd have to play with timing and I'm not sure how well the crispy edges will harden. 

    How do I store and reheat cooked jackfruit?

    Store any leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave and add more BBQ sauce if needed.

    Other Comfort Food Recipes

    • chickpea meatballs in a pot
      Chickpea Meatballs (vegan meatballs)
    • zucchini pizza bites cooked in a row.
      Zucchini Pizza Bites (low carb mini pizzas)
    • stuffed mushrooms in a platter in a stack.
      Italian Stuffed Mushrooms
    • portobello mushroom on fork
      Grilled Portobello Mushroom Steaks

    If you tried this recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!

    📖 Recipe

    bbq jackfruit sandwich in a bun

    BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches (20 minutes)

    Created by Dee Dine
    These BBQ jackfruit sandwiches have the chewy flavor and texture of pulled pork along with a savory smoky bbq sauce. Serve it as a meat free sandwich in under 20 minutes.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved! Rate Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 2
    Calories 250 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 2 (20oz/567g) cans young green jackfruit* (my favorite brand of canned, or use fresh jackfruit - see my post for how-to)
    • ¼ cup vegetable broth
    • 2 tablespoon brown sugar
    • ¼ tsp each cumin, chili powder, cayenne pepper, pepper, salt

    • 2 tablespoon olive oil
    • ¼ cup yellow onion chopped
    • 2 cloves garlic chopped
    • 1 cup BBQ Sauce
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    Instructions
     

    Prep

    • Prepare jackfruit. Either chop up a fresh and obtain the shreds or open cans of jackfruit, rinse and use a small sharp knife to pull away at the sides of the small triangles to create shreds.
    • Toss the jackfruit shreds in broth, sugar and spices. Set aside.
      2 (20oz/567g) cans young green jackfruit*, ¼ cup vegetable broth, 2 tablespoon brown sugar, ¼ teaspoon each cumin, chili powder, cayenne pepper, pepper, salt
    • Heat olive oil in a skillet and saute until brown the chopped onion and garlic.
      2 tablespoon olive oil, ¼ cup yellow onion, 2 cloves garlic
    • Add in the jackfruit shreds and let it sit in the hot pan for about 5 minutes so the bottom forms a crispy crust. Check it though, you don't want it to burn.
      After that, toss with a fork for another 3 minutes. You aren't really cooking, more melding flavors, heating and creating those crispy edges.
    • Transfer the sauteed and shredded jackfruit into a bowl and pour on barbecue sauce. Toss it thoroughly and serve.
      1 cup BBQ Sauce
    • Serve immediately on buns with greens and tomatoes and maybe more sauce. Enjoy!

    How to Store

    • Store in refrigerator for 4 days, or freeze the jackfruit mixture before or after barbeque sauce is added for about 2 months. Thaw, warm in the microwave or in a skillet and toss with fresh barbeque sauce.

    Notes

    Ripe jackfruit is sweet and best used for smoothies and desserts.
    *Unripe jackfruit, easily found canned, is best for savory recipes such as these BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches in this recipe. To buy canned jackfruit, look for it canned in brine or water, but not a syrup.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 59gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 1704mgPotassium: 332mgFiber: 1gSugar: 48gVitamin A: 445IUVitamin C: 0.8mgCalcium: 47mgIron: 0.9mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Meals Under 20 Minutes

    • how to make banana free smoothies.
      How to Make Smoothies without Bananas
    • chickpea burger on a bun.
      How to Make Chickpea Burgers (Veggie Burgers)
    • fried spaghetti in a bowl.
      15 Minute Pan Fried Spaghetti
    • sauteed mushrooms on toast.
      Easy Sauteed Mushrooms with Scallions

    Comments

    1. Ela says

      April 13, 2018 at 11:48 pm

      5 stars
      I loved seeing this savory jackfruit sandwich on your Instagram account and was curious about the recipe. Thanks for sharing all this valuable information about jackfruit, Dee! I really appreciate it. 🙂

      Reply
      • Dee says

        April 14, 2018 at 4:33 pm

        Ela! So glad you can find the information useful. I do hope you find jackfruit! Dee xx

        Reply
    5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    Jackfruit BBQ sandwich in a bun with tomato and kale in a toasted bun.
    dee dine

    My name is Dee Dine and I’m a two-time cookbook author and certified nutritionist. Here you’ll find easy, healthy recipes made with few ingredients and always egg free, dairy free, & gluten free. About Dee →

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