This quick and easy 20-minute BBQ Jackfruit Pulled Pork Recipe is a tasty vegan meat substitute for burger, sandwiches, and vegan gyros tortilla wraps with Tzatziki! It’s loaded with flavor, tossed in barbecue sauce and the best meatless option that looks and tastes just like the real deal!

BBQ Jackfruit Pulled Pork Recipe
Honestly, I have no idea what took me so long to cook with jackfruit because when you add smoky bbq flavors it just tastes INCREDIBLE! Of course, I’d seen canned jackfruit in some stores before but it just reminded me of bitter Artichokes in brine. However, I couldn’t imagine that its texture is truly almost like real shredded meat and that it absorbs any bbq flavor you toss with. So if you’re still looking for the ultimate vegan meat substitute this bbq jackfruit pulled pork will quickly become your favorite!

What is jackfruit?
If you’ve never heard of jackfruit, it is indeed a fruit. But when it’s young and not ripe, it’s not sweet but almost tasteless. However, when you toss it with seasonings and BBQ sauce, it’ll be very similar to real pulled pork because of its shredded texture. You can buy young green jackfruit canned in syrup or in brine but in this recipe make sure to use that one which is in brine.

Where can I buy jackfruit?
I’ve been seeing canned jackfruit in brine more and more stocked in grocery stores and organic markets. It’s often available in the Asian section or Asia stores if you have any nearby. Anyway, if you’re not sure where to buy jackfruit you can easily order it online.

How to make BBQ Jackfruit Pulled Pork
The recipe is so simple, requiring only a few ingredients and in just a few minutes you’ll have the best BBQ jackfruit that tastes like real pulled pork!

Smoky BBQ Sauce
It all starts with the BBQ sauce. You can absolutely use your favorite store-bought BBQ sauce here or make your own sauce with this simple homemade Barbecue sauce recipe. It‘s super easy to make in very little time! Just add all of the ingredients to a saucepan, mix and simmer. You can play around with the spice and seasoning since the recipe is pretty versatile.
Quick & Easy Jackfruit Pulled Pork
Once you’re all set with your sauce move on to the jackfruit pulled pork. After draining & rinsing the canned jackfruit, thoroughly dry the jackfruit and place in a bowl. Then simply break apart the chunks of jackfruit into shredded pieces with your fingers or forks. Add the seasonings, toss to combine and set aside. You do not need to chop off and discard the core and seeds because it still cooks and tastes just as “meaty”. And we don’t want to waste food, right?






Sauté onions in a bit of oil until tender. Then add in the garlic, jalapeño, and chopped jackfruit and cook until it begins to color and crisp. Now add the BBQ sauce and a little water as needed. Cover and let simmer until softened to desired texture. The jackfruit will become more tender the longer it cooks so that it’s texture is more pulled pork-like. Anyway, I found mine was perfect after just 10 minutes!



Vegan Gyros Jackfruit Pulled Pork Tacos
I not only love this BBQ Jackfruit Pulled Pork as filling for sandwiches or burger with vegan Tzatziki but also for Tacos and Tortilla Wraps! Actually, I’ve shared these tasty Vegan Gyros Jackfruit Wraps on Instagram last week and had so many replies. So here’s a quick animated picture video showing you how to make Vegan Gyros Jackfruit Tortilla Wraps with homemade crispy French Fries in a few simple steps.

This BBQ Jackfruit Pulled Pork Recipe is
- Vegan (meatless, plant-based)
- Quick & Easy to make
- Loaded with BBQ flavor
- Smoky
- Hearty
- Tender
- Satisfying
- Delicious
- The best vegan meat substitute
- Perfect for Burger, Sandwiches, Tacos
- & to make Vegan Gyros Wraps + Tzatziki

How to store and reheat Jackfruit?
What I also love about this recipe is that you can make the pulled pork in advance and keep in the fridge for tortillas or Burger and sandwiches all week! It reheats perfectly not only on the stove or in the microwave but also in the oven. Simply spread leftover jackfruit in an even layer over a baking dish or tray. Then pop it in the preheated oven at 400F (200C) for about 15 minutes or until it looks delicious. To make it saucier, simply toss with more BBQ sauce.

More BBQ Jackfruit Recipes
Use the jackfruit how you like! Instead of putting the pulled jackfruit on burger buns, sandwiches or wrap in Tortillas, you could also just serve it over mashed potatoes or mashed sweet potatoes. This would also be super satisfying wrapped in burritos, quesadillas or on pizza as just a few ideas! Regarding dips and toppings, you can also make creamy guacamole, herb dip or vegan aioli instead of the Tzatziki if you wish. Maybe I‘ll also share some new similar recipe ideas soon so stay tuned!

If you try this BBQ Jackfruit Pulled Pork Recipe be sure to leave a comment and rating letting me know how it turns out! You can also take a photo of your vegan jackfruit sandwiches or wraps and tag me on Instagram @biancazapatka and use the hashtag #biancazapatka to make sure I don’t miss your post! Your feedback is always super helpful for me and other readers who are planning to try the recipe. Happy cooking!

BBQ Jackfruit Pulled Pork
Author:Ingredients
Pulled Jackfruit
- 2 20 oz can young green jackfruit in brine or water (not in syrup)
- 1 tbsp olive oil or other oil + more for frying
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 Jalapeño seeded and finely chopped (optional)
- 1 tsp paprika
- 2 tsp ground cumin optional
- 1 tsp dried oregano optional
- 1 tsp ground coriander optional
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup barbecue sauce store-bought or homemade, + more for topping
Vegan Tzatziki
- 1/3 cucumber grated
- 1 cup non-dairy yogurt 250g, such as soy or coconut yogurt
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- sea salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
For Serving (optional)
- 4 tortillas or burger buns, sandwiches
- salad, veggies, herbs of your choice
- french fries
Instructions
Pulled Jackfruit
- Drain, rinse and thoroughly dry the jackfruit. Place in a bowl. Using your fingers or forks, break apart the chunks of jackfruit into shredded pieces. Add the seasonings and the oil. Toss to combine and set aside to marinate while you cook the onion.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet. Add the onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and jalapeño if using and cook for an additional 1 minute, until the garlic is fragrant.
- Add the seasoned jackfruit and cook for about 3 minutes until it begins to color and crisp, stirring occasionally.
- Add the barbecue sauce, stir and cook covered for another 10 minutes on low or until desired texture. (Add a little water as needed during cooking to make it "saucier". The jackfruit will become more tender the longer it cooks).
Vegan Tzatziki
- Grate cucumber with the skin on. Add a generously amount of salt, and set aside for about 5-10 minutes, allowing to soak. Then squeeze out as much excess liquid as you can.
- Add the non-dairy yogurt, salty squeezed cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil and pepper to a bowl. Stir to combine.
- Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, adding more salt, garlic, lemon juice or some herbs if desired.
To Serve
- Place the BBQ jackfruit pulled pork on burger buns or tortillas (*as shown in the animated picture video in my blogpost). Top with salad, fries, vegan tzatziki or other veggies and toppings you like. Serve with extra BBQ sauce!
- Enjoy!
Notes
- The jackfruit core and seeds do not need to be cut off and discarded because it’s just food waste! Even though it won’t shred like the other pieces, it still cooks and tastes just as "meaty".
- I used my homemade BBQ sauce recipe, but also any store-bought BBQ sauce will do!
- Leftover jackfruit keeps for up to a week in the refrigerator and reheats perfectly.
- The vegan Tzatziki keeps for up to 5 days in the refrigerator, depending on which kind of yogurt you use.
- Please read my blogpost for additional information about this recipe, such as how to store and reheat pulled jackfruit or where to buy it etc.
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This is a new favorite of mine. Thank you so much for this recipe!
Glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
I’d like to bring this to a potluck – any idea how it might reheat in a crock pot?
Simply place the pulled jackfruit in the slow cooker. Add a bit of water and/or barbecue sauce to the cooker (to prevent it from getting too dry) and reheat until warm! 😉
Das Rezept und die Idee ist so spannend. Die Jackfrucht hat wenig Eigengeschmack und bringt die Konsistenz. Die Soße und die Gewürze bringen den typischen BBQ Geschmack. Richtig gut! ☺ Beim nächsten Mal erhitze ich die Jackfrucht weniger. Sie ist mir zu weich geworden.
Gruß, Khari
Freut mich, dass du zufrieden bist! 🙂
I am going to try this. I have Parosmia (A long-term COVID after effect), and I am unable to eat meat, onions, or garlic but I am desperate for some food that is sustainable. Can I make this in the crock pot instead of the skillet? I have to avoid cooking sprays and olive oils as much as possible. This looks soooooo good! <3
Hi Cathy,
I’m so sorry for you! I hope you’ll feel better soon!
I haven’t made it in a crock pot yet but you can definitely try it!
Much love to you! 💖
Just about to try this… is it smoked paprika or regular? Thanks x
Hi Paula,
I used regular paprika but I’m sure it will taste great with smoked paprika as well! 🙂