BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2‐20 Ounce Cans Young Green Jackfruit in Brine (or Water)
  • 3+ TBSPs Olive Oil (or Oil of Your Choice)
  • Your favorite BBQ sauce (I personally use something with a little “zip” and no sugar)
  • Buns (Whole wheat preferred)
  • Any other toppings you like
  • BBQ Seasoning “Spice List”:
  • 3‐TBSPs Brown Sugar
  • 2‐tsps Paprika
  • 2‐tsps Garlic Powder
  • 1‐tsp Salt
  • 1‐tsp Pepper
  • 1‐tsp Chili Powder

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Rinse, drain, and thoroughly dry jackfruit.
  2. Chop off the center “core” portion of the fruit and discard.
  3. Squeeze the seeds and seed pods out of the leftover part of the fruit (there may be many hidden throughout the fruit), place in a large “non‐heavy” mixing bowl and set aside (At this point, it will look exactly like pulled chicken).
  4. Mix together BBQ seasoning (see Spice List above) and add to jackfruit.
  5. Toss to coat.
  6. Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
  7. Once hot, add 3+ TBSPs oil of choice, and seasoned jackfruit (use more oil, as needed).
  8. Toss seasoned jackfruit in pan to coat and cook for 2‐3 minutes to achieve some color.
  9. Add BBQ sauce and thin with water. Stir and reduce heat to low‐medium and cook for about 20 minutes (up to 35 minutes on low for a deeper flavor).
  10. The jackfruit will absorb a lot of the BBQ sauce and flavor as it cooks. I uncover my pan for half the time to help a lot of the moisture evaporate and I stir now and then depending on how it is looking. You don’t want to burn it entirely.
  11. Once most of the moisture has been simmered off the jackfruit, turn up heat to medium‐high and cook for 2‐3 more minutes to get a little extra color/texture (think burned ends). Then remove from heat.
  12. Place BBQ jackfruit on your choice of bun, add whatever toppings you like (I use non‐cholesterol mayo, mustard and more sugar‐free BBQ sauce).

Notes:
This makes approximately 3‐4 decent sized BBQ sandwiches.
I like to top mine with non‐cholesterol mayo and yellow mustard.
Leftover jackfruit keeps for up to a couple days in the fridge, though best when fresh.
This is about the closest vegan/vegetarian (depending on how you top it) thing to looking or tasting like a pulled BBQ chicken or pork sandwich, other than a BBQ soy curls sandwich. BBQ soy curls actually have the best texture.