These BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches feature a “meaty” mix of jackfruit and chickpeas tossed in spices, garlic, and a bit of BBQ sauce. Pile it all on top of a toasted bun with slaw and dinner is ready!
BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches
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Only tip would be to double this recipe!!
Christine
Hi! Meet your new friend, the most saucy, meaty-like BBQ sandwich with a crunchy slaw on toasted brioche bun that is so filling, so day-making, so flavorful and easy, and also…totally meatless.
That’s right. We’re calling upon that can of JACKFRUIT to impress us with her meaty-textured ways here, and she does not disappoint.
What You’ll Need To Make BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches
Here are your short-ingredient-list essentials for this beautiful towering crunchy-saucy sandwich:
- a can of jackfruit
- chickpeas
- BBQ sauce
- slaw
- buns
Plus or minus some extras like garlic, a few extra spices, maybe some pickles and/or hot sauce as a topping, and boom. You’re there.
New To Jackfruit?
Let’s talk about this meaty-but-not-meaty filling for a moment.
If you’ve never cooked with canned jackfruit, listen up. You’re in for a fun adventure because IT’S SO EASY, pantry-friendly, and just really unique. The hardest part is probably finding it, but even that isn’t too hard: most health-emphasis or specialty grocery stores carry it, and when all else fails, Amazon!
When you push on the jackfruit pieces with the back of a wooden spoon or fork, they press apart into shreds that resemble shredded chicken, pork, etc. And when you add spices, a little brown sugar, and some BBQ sauce and let it all fry up in a pan? You’re going to get some really nice sweet and smoky roasty-ness on that jackfruit that is going to make you wonder where it’s been all your life.
And to take things to the next level, my friend Melissa has taught me the way: get some blitzed up chickpeas in there with those jackfruit shreds to kind of boost up the oomph factor and make it really feel substantial, filling, and crave-able.
Check, check, and check.
Now To Some Sandwich Styling
Toppings are your choice, naturally, but I am a big proponent of just a bag of store-bought coleslaw, especially in these SOS times that we are in. Do I prefer the delicate texture of a homemade cabbage slaw? Yes. But when I’ve got 100 other fires to put out in the house, like, NOW? That is not the moment for me to be shredding up a head of cabbage.
Other toppings that I’ve loved that require zero advance prep: avocado, pickles, pepperoncini, and hot sauce. Whatever gives it a little zip and zazz and maybe even a little bite – that’s what I like.
Should you eat a pile of jalapeño cheddar kettle chips with your sandwich? I mean, do you love yourself? I think that is the real question at hand.
Source notes: I finally got the push I needed to try jackfruit from my friend Melissa when she posted this recipe and swore that it was really, actually a good meaty alternative. And I had my doubts but dang, she was right. Her idea for the chickpea addition is unique and honestly… just super smart. It adds some protein and fiber and still keeps things squarely centered on all things veg! Thanks, Mel! ♡
BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches: Frequently Asked Questions
What else can I use jackfruit for?
Lots! Jackfruit is a great vegetarian substitute for almost any recipe that requires shredded chicken or pork.
Can I omit the brown sugar?
The brown sugar really helps balance all of the flavors here, so it’s best to keep it in. You could try reducing the amount though if you’d prefer.
I can’t find jackfruit in a brine. My canned jackfruit is in water. Will that work?
That should still work! You might just need to add a little squeeze of lime to bring all the flavors together.
Prefer To Watch Instead Of Read?
BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
These BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches feature a “meaty” mix of jackfruit and chickpeas tossed in spices, garlic, and a bit of BBQ sauce. Pile it all on top of a toasted bun with slaw and dinner is ready!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
BBQ Jackfruit
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 14-ounce can young jackfruit in brine, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- several good shakes of paprika, chili powder, and onion powder
- a pinch of salt
- 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
Slaw
- ideally, a pre-made slaw bag mix!
- otherwise: thinly sliced cabbage + mayo, lemon juice or vinegar, sugar and salt
The Rest:
- toasted buns (I like brioche buns)
- any other toppings you like – I’d recommend avocado, pepperoncini, pickles, hot sauce, etc.
Instructions
- Shred the Jackfruit: Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium high heat. Add the jackfruit and break it apart into “shreds” with the back of a spoon.
- Make the Filling: In a small chopper or food processor, pulse your chickpeas and garlic until they have a finely chopped texture. Add the mixture to the pan, along with the brown sugar and spices. Stir it all up to get it seasoned and happy. Add barbecue sauce and let it get a little roasty. More undisturbed time in the pan = more meat-like browning.
- Assemble Sandwiches: Serve your jackfruit BBQ on a bun topped with slaw and anything else you like! Add a pile of salt & pepper chips to your plate and you are in delicious business.
Equipment
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Notes
Nutrition info includes the BBQ jackfruit, buns, and slaw.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sauté
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: bbq jackfruit, jackfruit recipe, vegan sandwich
Other Meatless Sandwiches You Need In Your Life
- Spicy Falafel and Roasted Veggie Naan-wich (why is everything so much better on naan?!)
- The Ultimate Wild Rice Burgers (these just might be the very best vegetarian burgers we’ve ever had)
- Firecracker Vegan Lettuce Wraps (crispy tofu bits with saucy brown rice noodles…umm…YES!)
- Portobello French Dip with Horseradish Aioli (did we mention a zippy horseradish aioli? YOU NEED THESE!)
Filed Under: All Recipes Dinner Gluten-Free Lunch Main Dishes Quick and Easy Sandwiches SOS Series Spring Stovetop Vegan Vegetarian
April 12, 2021
Nice to meet you!
I’m Lindsay and I ♡ FOOD. I used to be a teacher, and now making food and writing about it online is my full-time job. I love talking with people about food, and I'm so glad you're here.
Did you make a recipe? Tag @pinchofyum on Instagram so we can find you!
This looks incredible!!
Thanks Amy!
Hello Lindsay, what brand of jackfruit did you purchase from Amazon?
We purchased our jackfruit from the grocery store, but the Aroy-D and Native Forest brands found on Amazon should all be great options!
I understand that Trader Joe’s has their own jackfruit label(!), but was actually thinking of using fresh, as it is available near me.
Any suggestions?
If you use fresh, make sure it’s unripe. Savory jackfruit recipes are best with canned, in water or brine. Ripe jackfruit tastes like juicy fruit gum. You also wouldn’t want to use canned in syrup.
Great tips. Thanks for sharing!
Great question, Ann! We haven’t tried this recipe with fresh jackfruit, but we think it’ll work just fine. In step 1 of the recipe, you may need to add some broth or water to the jackfruit and let it simmer for a while to soften it and make it shreddable. We’d also recommend adding a nice dash of salt in this step to season the jackfruit. If you give it a try, we’d love to hear back!
I am loving this series. I appreciate that you continue to offer the quickest way to get dinner on the table, along with a few options to glam things up.
So glad to hear you’re liking the series, Sarah! Thanks for the feedback!
Sino writter
Only tip would be to double this recipe!!
Great tip, Christine! 😉
Made this tonight and everyone enjoyed it!
So glad to hear it, Melinda!
I’m sooo excited that there is finally a doable recipe in my life to try jackfruit – thank you!
You’re welcome, Kate! We hope you enjoy the recipe!
Any ideas of how to make this with frozen jackfruit? I have some from the frozen fruit/smoothie section at my store!
Interesting! Didn’t know frozen jackfruit was a thing! But just did a quick bit of research on it, and it looks like frozen jackfruit is sometimes the ripe, sweet kind whereas the canned jackfruit that we used for this recipe is considered the young, green type typically used in savory dishes. You’ll want to make sure you have the young, green type for this dish. If you do, we’d suggest defrosting it, patting it dry, and then following the recipe!
I will definitely be keeping a couple of cans of jackfruit around to make this again—probably doubling it so there are leftovers next time. I had my family dig in before telling them what it was—my husband was shocked it was vegetarian and told me to keep it in rotation!
That’s awesome, Sara! So glad the recipe was a hit!
One of my favorite fruits is jackfruit. Sadly, I don’t readily get the fresh ones here like I did growing up in the Philippines. But to see that this recipe uses canned? Hmmm……I’m going to have to give this a try! Thanks for the post!
We hope you enjoy it, Jocelyn!
I made this for dinner.
My hubby and I enjoyed soooooooooo much!
With chickpea, the burger’s texture get more real!
And only your recipe put chickpea.
Thanks for great recipe:)
So glad you both enjoyed the recipe!
What are your favorite brands of barbecue sauce? Thanks!
We like Sweet Baby Ray’s!
My skeptical, carnivorous husband loved these! 100% into the rotation of a quick easy dinner. Yum and give me some more.
So glad they were a hit!
I just made this and OMG, it was mind-blowingly delicious.
Your vegetarian recipes are so creative! Keep them coming!
(I found canned jackfruit at Trader Joe’s after no luck at my usual grocery store!)
So glad you enjoyed the sandwiches!
Having never tried jackfruit, I was SKEPTICAL. I can say I was very pleasantly surprised! My husband had some as well and without me saying anything, he asked if it was chicken! Ultimately shocked and confused as to how this strange “fruit” can resemble pulled pork. It really was delicious and it almost had an Italian-esque flavor to it. Will be definitely making this again!
So crazy right?! We’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed the recipe!
I’ve always tried to like bbq jackfruit but I always felt it was missing something, now I know it was chickpeas! This recipe is a game changer and will be on rotation all summer long.
So glad you enjoyed the sandwiches, Sarah!
First time with jackfruit and we all loved it. The coleslaw is key and the spices you cook it in before adding the bbq sauce are great. I added some heat but this was great. Thx!
So glad the recipe was a hit!
delicious!!
🎉
The jackfruit at my grocery comes dry and refrigerated next to the tofu/alternative meat section. Would that work?
Great question. We haven’t tried this recipe with dry jackfruit, but we think it’ll work just fine. In step 1 of the recipe, you may need to add some broth or water to the jackfruit and let it simmer for a while to soften it and make it shreddable. If you give it a try, we’d love to hear back!
I LOVE these BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches – a favorite amongst my family. I always double the recipe and sometimes have leftovers (which reheat nicely in a skillet). A great weeknight meal that is QUICK and so delicious.
So glad the sandwiches were a hit! Thanks for the comment!
Can you substitute jack fruit with something else?
We’ve only tested this recipe with jackfruit. Mushrooms may work!
Ok… I was skeptical. My wife was worse. But we’ve both been won over! As my wife said, “if you told me it was pulled pork I wouldn’t have known the difference!!” I didn’t have chickpeas but had some homemade hummus. Used it instead and it was great. Smoked paprika was a big plus also. Thank you for this recipe!!
So glad you and your wife enjoyed the sandwiches, Ron! It’s incredible how much the jackfruit tastes like pulled pork!
TLDR; if you actually use the right amount of ingredients, these are so freaking delicious!
I’ve only ever seen 20 oz cans (10 oz drained). The first time I made these, I thought they were good, not great. I was thinking that I had 10 oz of jackfruit, so about 2/3 of the jackfruit needed for the recipe and under-measured a bit on all the other ingredients.
This second time, I realized the 14 oz cans are probably 7 oz drained and I actually had more jackfruit than the recipe called for (duh!!). So I used roughly 1.5 20 oz cans and doubled all the other ingredients and they were AMAZING!! I had no trouble finishing the double batch all by myself in a couple days!
I used the leftover jackfruit to make taco “meat” to put in quesadillas, using this recipe https://www.acouplecooks.com/best-jackfruit-tacos/
This recipe is DELICIOUS and one of our new favorite recipes! The jackfruit and chickpeas are the perfect consistency and it is even better with all the suggested toppings! I’ve never cooked with jackfruit until this recipe and it is very easy to work with. I’ve made it multiple times now. Very good with sweet potato or carrot fries
Hi Lindsay, I follow you on Pinterest and will always choose one of your recipes over others because yours are consistently good. I have never had jackfruit before but thought I’d try this recipe. It is fantastic! I served it to my husband for watching the football playoffs and he loved it too. Thank you for another awesome recipe😃