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Vegan Pulled Pork Sandwich

Name: Vegan Pulled Pork Sandwich
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 ½ cups chopped sweet or yellow onion; Drizzle of your favorite oil to sauté (, or broth if oil free); 2 cans jackfruit (, 14 ounce cans, rinsed and shredded (see note)); 1 teaspoon paprika (, can also use smoked paprika); 1 teaspoon chili powder; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; ¼ - ½ teaspoon sea salt (, see note); 1 cup barbecue sauce (, homemade or store bought); Buns of choice (, gluten-free if needed); Coleslaw; Vinegar slaw; Sweet potato fries; Extra barbecue sauce

By Sophia DeSantis, Reviewed by Anjali Shah on March 23, 2025

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My vegan Pulled Pork Sandwich is hearty and savory, made with shredded jackfruit simmered in smoky barbecue sauce and browned until the edges are slightly crisp. It has everything I want in a sandwich, and yes, it’s completely plant-based and ready in just 30 minutes.

Side view of BBQ jackfruit topped with coleslaw on a bun sitting on a cream plate

Jackfruit is an amazing ingredient I love cooking with. It has this meaty texture that works so well in savory meals, and it takes on flavor beautifully. I’ve used it in everything from jackfruit burrito bowls to tacos, and it always surprises me how versatile it is.

Table of Contents hide

👩🏽‍🍳 Why I Love This Recipe

🍽 Serving Suggestions

🧊 Storage Directions

❓Recipe FAQs

🥣 More Vegan Sandwiches & BBQ Recipes!

📋 Recipe Card

With that in mind, I wanted to make something quick and satisfying that could win over even my picky eaters. My kids don’t eat a lot of things, but when I made this pulled pork-style sandwich and cooked the jackfruit long enough to get those crispy edges before stirring in the barbecue sauce, they were all in.

👩🏽‍🍳 Why I Love This Recipe

I absolutely love this recipe because I can have it ready in 30 minutes, which is key for me with two kids who need constant attention. But more importantly, they love this sandwich, and we take it on picnics and pack it for school lunches too. The texture of the jackfruit is so close to pulled pork once it’s cooked just right, and the smoky barbecue flavor makes every bite feel like comfort food.

This vegan pulled pork is satisfying and full of flavor without feeling heavy. I usually serve it on a bun with creamy or vinegar slaw and a side of sweet potato fries, and it’s one of those meals that makes everyone at the table happy. Even my non-vegan friends ask for seconds. I always make a little extra so I can use the filling in grilled cheese sandwiches or spoon it over baked potatoes later in the week.

This is one of those meals that works for anyone looking for a family-friendly, meatless option that actually tastes good and fits into a busy schedule. As a health coach, I appreciate that it’s low in fat, full of fiber, and naturally dairy-free. And as a mom, I’m grateful that even my picky eaters enjoy it without a fuss. If you’ve never tried cooking with jackfruit before, this recipe is the perfect place to start.

🥘 Ingredients

Just a handful of plant based ingredients is all you need to make my mouthwatering jackfruit pulled pork recipe! Here’s what you’ll need to gather:

Jackfruit: This is the star of my recipe. I shred young green jackfruit in brine or water to mimic the texture of pulled pork, just don’t use the ripe sweet kind.

Yellow Onion: I use onions to add a sweet, savory base that enhances the overall flavor.

Seasonings: I use a mix of chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, and salt to give the jackfruit that classic barbecue flavor. Smoked paprika works great if you have it.

Vegan Barbecue Sauce: I usually go with my homemade BBQ sauce, but store-bought works too. Just double-check the label to make sure it’s vegan.

Assembling: I love serving this barbecue jackfruit on soft burger buns with a generous scoop of coleslaw on top. There are so many fun ways to enjoy it though, and I’ve shared some of my favorite ideas later in this post.

🔪 How To Make

Making this vegan pulled pork sandwich is so simple, just three steps and 30 minutes. Here’s exactly how I get it to turn out perfectly every time.

Cook the Jackfruit: I start by sautéing the onion and shredded jackfruit with the spices over medium heat. I let it cook until the jackfruit is browned and crisp on the edges for the best texture.

Spatula mixing jackfruit and spices in a pan until browned.

Add the Sauce: Then I stir in the barbecue sauce and let it simmer until it thickens and gets nice and sticky.

Spatula mixing BBQ sauce over pieces of browned jackfruit in a pan.

Serve: Once the jackfruit mixture is ready, I pile it onto burger buns and top it with coleslaw.

Top view of BBQ jackfruit sandwiches on a plate with coleslaw on top and next to fries.

💭 Expert Tips

My #1 Secret Tip for making this vegan pulled pork recipe is to make sure the jackfruit gets really crispy, that’s the key to the right texture. If you stop cooking too early, it can turn out soft and mushy. To avoid that, I sauté it for 10 to 15 minutes over medium to medium-high heat until it’s lightly browned and crisp around the edges.

Other Tips To Keep In Mind:

Prepping The Jackfruit: I’ve found that canned jackfruit is the easiest to use, but you can use fresh if you prefer. If you’re going with canned, make sure to drain it well, shred it properly, and remove any tough pieces that don’t break down easily, they can turn out chewy in the final dish.
Let The BBQ Sauce Reduce: The barbecue sauce needs a little time to thicken and caramelize after it’s added. I always wait until the jackfruit is nice and crispy before stirring it in, then let it simmer just long enough to become sticky and flavorful without making the mixture soggy.
Adjust Seasoning: Depending on how salty your barbecue sauce is, you might not need much extra salt. I always wait until the end to taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.

📖 Variations

This vegan pulled pork sandwich is one of my all-time favorite meals, and I love how versatile it is! For a variation, I suggest trying these:

Mushroom Swap: If I don’t have jackfruit, I use shredded mushrooms instead. Portobello or king oyster mushrooms work best and have a really satisfying texture. I use about two pounds if I’m going this route.

Oil-Free Option: Make this jackfruit pulled pork recipe oil free by substituting broth for oil when sautéing.

Spice Level: If I want to dial up the flavor, I’ll add a pinch of cayenne or an extra dash of smoked paprika.

🍽 Serving Suggestions

When I make this vegan jackfruit pulled pork for my family, I like to serve it on soft burger buns, either whole wheat or gluten-free depending on what we have. We top it with coleslaw and pickles, add a little extra barbecue sauce, and pair it with sides like fries, baked beans, or my healthy cornbread. My kids especially love it with yuca fries and a scoop of vegan macaroni salad.

When I’m entertaining or just putting together a fun weekend meal, I love using this BBQ jackfruit in all kinds of ways beyond sandwiches. I’ve piled it onto loaded veggie nachos, spooned it over vegan poutine, added it to veggie burgers, stuffed it into quesadillas and vegan burritos.

🧊 Storage Directions

Refrigeration: When I have leftovers, I store the jackfruit pulled pork in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. If I’m meal prepping for the week, I usually make a big batch and keep everything separate like the buns, slaw, and any extras so it all stays fresh. I only assemble the sandwiches or wraps on the day I plan to serve them.

Freezing: I also freeze the jackfruit pulled pork if I want to keep it longer. I store it in a tightly sealed container and it stays good for up to three months.

Reheating: When I’m ready to use it, I let it defrost in the fridge first. Reheating on the stovetop gives the best texture, but the microwave works great when I need to save time.

❓Recipe FAQs

Can I use fresh jackfruit instead of canned?

I’ve tried fresh jackfruit, but I honestly find canned young green jackfruit much easier and more consistent for this recipe. Just make sure it’s packed in water or brine, not syrup.

Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Yes. My kids love it, especially with soft buns and a little extra sauce. It’s flavorful without being spicy, which makes it a favorite at our table.

If I’m making pulled pork sandwiches, how do I keep the buns from getting soggy?

I recommend lightly toasting the buns before assembling to help absorb moisture, and if I’m making this ahead of time, I highly recommend storing the jackfruit, buns and toppings (like coleslaw or sauce) separately and assembling right before serving.

Do I need to remove the seeds from canned jackfruit?

No, the seeds and seed pods are completely edible and will soften when cooked, I never remove them when cooking. But, if you prefer a more smooth texture, you can remove the firmer seed pods before cooking.

Hands picking up a BBQ jackfruit sandwich topped with coleslaw off a plate.

🥣 More Vegan Sandwiches & BBQ Recipes!

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