BBQ Jackfruit | Smoky & Flavorful Recipe

This bbq jackfruit recipe is one of my all-time favorite plant-based comfort foods. Smoky, tangy, and just a little sweet, once cooked this fruit takes on a texture remarkably similar to pulled pork or chicken. I love to serve pulled bbq jackfruit all year round, and it goes down a treat with vegans and non-vegans alike. 

What is jackfruit?

Jackfruit has been a popular fruit in Asia for centuries, used in both sweet and savory recipes. When ripe the fruit is naturally sweet, similar in taste to pineapple or banana, and can be eaten alone or with condensed milk and rice. Unripe, or young jackfruit, is less sugary and has a meaty texture, turning tender and succulent when cooked. It makes a fantastic meat substitute and is most often used as a 100% plant-based alternative to pulled pork and chicken.  

Thanks to its glorious versatility, jackfruit has exploded in popularity in recent years and is now readily available in most grocery stores. Trader Joe’s, Krogers, Wegmans, and Wholefoods all stock canned jackfruit, with the price per can ranging between $2.50-$4. If you can’t find it in-store then you can also order online via our store. 

For this pulled bbq jackfruit recipe make sure you use the young green variety in water or brine. The stuff that comes soaked in syrup will be much too sweet for this recipe. 

Preparing the canned jackfruit

To prepare the jackfruit open the can and drain out the liquid. If preserved in brine then give the fruit a rinse under cold water to remove the excess saltiness, and pat dry. The jackfruit should pull apart in your fingers, and you want to create thin shreds in this way. Slice away the thicker sections near the core and seedpods, then cut into similar size chunks to the rest of the fruit. The seeds can be sliced up as well, or placed into the compost. 

Season the pulled jackfruit

To give our BBQ jackfruit that deep, smoky, savory flavor we will use a combination of classic spices and seasoning. My favorites are chipotle powder, smoked paprika, and, if you have it, smoked salt. We want our jackfruit to taste like we have been grilling it over coals , so the smokier the better. 

Tip your pulled jackfruit into a skillet over medium heat, and add the avocado oil, nutritional yeast, and spice mixture. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to stir the mixture, breaking up any remaining chunks of fruit. Make sure you completely coat your jackfruit in the spice mix. Not only will this infuse the fruit with those delicious savory flavors, but will also give your jackfruit a gorgeous color. Once coated, pour over the bbq sauce. Add a splash of water if you think it looks a little dry. 

Cook the jackfruit for a couple of minutes over medium heat, just until the mixture is hot, then remove and serve. 

How to serve BBQ Jackfruit?

There are so many ways to enjoy bbq jackfruit. I love to serve mine in:

• Corn tacos filled with bbq jackfruit, coleslaw, avocado and sliced jalapeño peppers (or whatever your favorite taco salads/toppings are)
• Crusty bread rolls stuffed with bbq jackfruit, creamy coleslaw and avocado
• Serve the bbq jackfruit on a plate with a side of baked beans, collard greens and corn bread

The best thing about this recipe is that you can use pulled bbq jackfruit for any recipe where you’re looking for a 100% plant-based ‘meaty’ filling or side. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Looking for more tasty + easy savory recipes?

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We hope you enjoy this guide on how to make smoky + flavorful BBQ jackfruit using canned jackfruit! If you try our bbq jackfruit recipe, please let us know what you think with a comment and rating. Every bit of feedback helps make the blog even better.

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