Vegan Jackfruit 'Pulled Pork' Sandwiches

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Shredded jackfruit simmered in smoky barbecue sauce, piled onto toasted brioche buns for a plant-based twist on classic pulled pork. This american-inspired vegan (vegan) ready in about 35 minutes pairs (20 oz total) young jackfruit in brine, smoked paprika, barbecue sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 3.5 (8 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 American cuisine 420 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Drain and rinse 2 cans (20 oz total) young jackfruit thoroughly, then shred with your fingers or a fork into fine strands, removing any tough cores.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add shredded jackfruit and 1 tsp smoked paprika, cooking for 3 minutes until slightly golden.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1/2 cup barbecue sauce and 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, reducing heat to low. Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens and coats the jackfruit (it should pull apart easily).
  4. Step 4: Slice 1/2 avocado and thinly slice 1/4 cup red onion. Toast 4 brioche buns until golden, then layer with jackfruit mixture, avocado, and red onion slices.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Vegan Jackfruit 'Pulled Pork' Sandwiches take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Vegan Jackfruit 'Pulled Pork' Sandwiches?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep smoked paprika from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Vegan Jackfruit 'Pulled Pork' Sandwiches?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Vegan Jackfruit 'Pulled Pork' Sandwiches for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Vegan Jackfruit 'Pulled Pork' Sandwiches vegan?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

What others are saying