"Sloppy Joe Style" Pulled Jackfruit in BBQ Sauce

BBQ jackfruit in a gluten-free hamburger bun with slices of avocado and cucumber spirals

Delicious pulled jackfruit in BBQ sauce perfect for sloppy joes. This recipe is a wonderful vegan alternative to imitate the traditional BBQ pulled porc version. Jackfruit is an exotic fruit from South India and its texture is comparable to shredded meat! Unlike porc, which has no fiber and is rich in saturated fats, jackfruit contains high amounts of vitamin C and antioxidants to help boost your immune system.

BBQ jackfruit in a gluten-free hamburger bun with slices of avocado and cucumber spirals

Yields about 4 portions

Ingredients for the Pulled Jackfruit in BBQ Sauce

Jackfruit

2 cans (20 oz or 565g) of young jackfruit in water

2-4 tablespoons of vegetable oil (avocado oil or olive oil for example)

BBQ Sauce

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 small onion

2 garlic cloves, crushed

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

2 tablespoons tamari sauce

160 ml tomato paste

5 Medjool dates or 8 small dates, pitted

60 ml (1/4 cup) water

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon ground coriander

1 tablespoon Blackstrap molasses or maple syrup

Salt and pepper to taste

Your favorite hamburger buns (to fill with the pulled jackfruit in BBQ sauce – yields 4 to 6 sandwiches)

Open hamburger with green tomatoes, mashed avocado, coconut bacon, kale leaf and BBQ jackfruit

Preparation

For the BBQ sauce

1. Heat the oil in a small pot, and sauté the onion and garlic a few minutes.

2. Add the vinegar and the tamari sauce and bring to a boil about 2 minutes.

3. Incorporate the remaining ingredients and leave to simmer a few minutes.

4. Puree your sauce with a hand held or regular blender.

5. Store the sauce in an airtight container and keep in the fridge or set aside for your jackfruit recipe.

6. The sauce will keep a few weeks in the fridge.

For the jackfruit

1. Open your jackfruit cans and drain the liquid. Wipe off the excess moisture on your jackfruit.

2. To prune the jackfruit, remove the hard dense portions and the bulb-like pieces. Use your fingers or a fork to pull it apart into stringy pieces. You can also just use all of the jackfruit components if you are rushed for time.

3. Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil (olive, avocado, etc.) in a medium non-stick pan, and add your jackfruit.

4. Sauté the jackfruit until your pieces are lightly browned.

5. Add the BBQ sauce and mix well with your jackfruit. Continue to cook a few minutes and season to taste.

6. Serve inside your favorite hamburger buns with sweet potato fries.

Your BBQ jackfruit will keep for a few weeks in an airtight container in your fridge.

Discover my other delicious recipes!