You only need 6 simple ingredients and a slow cooker to make this finger-licking vegan jackfruit pulled pork recipe! This easy to make, crowd-pleasing dish is perfect for dinner at home or to bring to a vegan barbeque or special event! Vegan + options to make it gluten-free!
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Do you have a hankering for vegan BBQ? If so, this vegan jackfruit pulled pork recipe is what you should make for dinner tonight! This recipe is impossible to mess up because all you have to do is fill the slow cooker, set it, and forget it until dinner time!
Use your favorite BBQ sauce to make these delicious BBQ jackfruit slow cooker sliders and serve it with a side of coleslaw, vegan mac and cheese, and corn on the cob! I have a feeling that you’re going to love it as much as I do!
This crowd-pleasing dish is perfect to make for your family or to bring a party or family gathering, even if it’s for non-vegans! This recipe is non-vegan approved, everyone loves it!
If this is your first time cooking with canned jackfruit, don’t be overwhelmed! I know that it’s an enigmatic ingredient for some people. Whether it’s because you don’t know where to buy it or because you don’t know what to make with it. This easy jackfruit recipe is foolproof, you can do it!
Once you master using jackfruit for pulled pork, I know that you’re going to be chomping at the bit to try more delicious and easy jackfruit recipes! Trust me!
Check this list out: 17 Plant Based Jackfruit Recipes that Taste Better Than Meat!
Let’s start with the basics and then we’ll get into how to make this delicious super tasty vegan pulled pork.
Does Jackfruit Taste Like Pulled Pork?
In my opinion, jackfruit tastes like a cross between pulled pork or shredded chicken and pineapple. Jackfruit is a fruit, so it makes sense that it has a fruit-like texture, even though it looks just like meat.
However, once it’s covered in tangy bbq sauce, It’s really hard to tell the difference. Vegans and non-vegans alike will love this recipe!
Honestly, I don’t think that anyone would be able to tell the difference if I didn’t say anything. The shredded jackfruit looks just like animal-based pulled pork and it tastes absolutely delicious!
How Do I Cook Canned Jackfruit?
You can cook canned jackfruit in a slow cooker, on the stovetop, in the oven, or in an instant pot. It just depends on what type of jackfruit recipe you’re making. Whatever cooking method you’re using, the goal is to cook the canned jackfruit long enough to soften it.
Once the jackfruit is soft and you can shred it, you can season it any way you like and incorporate it into so many recipes! For example, Vegan Mushroom Jackfruit Stroganoff (stovetop) or Vegan Salsa Jackfruit Stuffed Peppers (oven-baked)!
Now, let’s talk about how to make jackfruit pulled pork in the slow cooker!
Jackfruit Pulled Pork Slow Cooker – Step by Step Instructions
Step #1 – Put the diced onions, rinsed and drained canned jackfruit, pineapple chunks, BBQ sauce, and (optional) whiskey into a large slow cooker.
Step #2 – Stir it all together, cover it, and set it to cook on high for 3 hours.
Step #3 – After 3 hours, remove the lid, and use two forks to shred the softened jackfruit chunks. You could also use a potato masher or wooden spoon to lightly break up the jackfruit chunks.
Step #4 – Add the arrowroot powder and stir well to combine. Leave the lid off and let the jackfruit continue to cook for 10-15 more minutes or until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency.
Step #5 – Serve the shredded vegan pulled pork on soft rolls with a spoonful of coleslaw and a pineapple slice. Enjoy!
Jackfruit Pulled Pork StoveTop – Step by Step Instructions
If you don’t have time to wait for the crockpot, follow these instructions to learn how to make vegan pulled pork with jackfruit on the stovetop.
Step #1 – In a large pan, over medium heat, begin by sauteing the diced onions in 2-3 tbsp of low-sodium vegetable broth (you may need to add more) over medium heat until translucent.
Step #2 – Rinse and drain the jackfruit and add it to the pan along with the drained pineapple, BBQ sauce, and whiskey. Mix it well, cover it, and let it cook for 30 minutes.
Step #3 – Remove the lid and use a wooden spatula or potato masher to lightly break up the chunks of jackfruit. Leave the lid off, reduce the heat to low, and let it cook for a few more minutes or until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency.
Step #4 – Serve the vegan BBQ jackfruit on soft rolls with a spoonful of coleslaw and a pineapple wheel.
Can Jackfruit Be Reheated or Frozen?
Yes, you can easily reheat leftover BBQ jackfruit. I recommend that you add 1-2 tbsp of water to the jackfruit so it doesn’t dry out when you warm it up. You can store the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days, or you can freeze it for a future meal.
Is This Vegan BBQ Jackfruit Allergy-Friendly?
These vegan BBQ jackfruit pulled pork sliders are naturally dairy-free and nut-free. It could also be gluten-free if you use gluten-free rolls. This recipe is also vegetarian, vegan, and plant-based.
What Else Can You Make With This BBQ Jackfruit?
If you don’t want to make BBQ jackfruit sliders, you could also use the vegan pulled pork to make tacos, sandwiches, or wraps. You could also add the BBQ jackfruit to salads or pizza!
What Should a Vegan Bring to a BBQ?
This BBQ jackfruit is the perfect main course dish to bring to a BBQ! Vegans will love it and it’s the perfect way to introduce non-vegans to vegan meat substitutes!
If you want to bring a few vegan BBQ food dishes along with the jackfruit pulled pork to the gathering, you could also bring:
- Vegan Macaroni and Cheese
- Creamy Broccoli Salad
- Avocado Arugula Tomato Salad
- Asian Ginger Coleslaw
- Watermelon Salsa & Chips
Notes & Substitutions
- I used this pre-made organic vegan BBQ sauce to save time. If you’d like to make your own vegan BBQ sauce, use this recipe.
- I use organic arrowroot powder to thicken the BBQ sauce, but you could also use organic cornstarch if you prefer.
- The whiskey is completely optional. If you don’t want to add it, that’s fine! The vegan pulled pork will still taste delicious without it!
- You can use this vegan pulled pork for small sliders or for regular-sized sandwiches.
- If you’d like to make this vegan pulled pork on the stovetop instead of in a slow cooker, I included instructions for both cooking processes above.
- Some recipes recommend that you should remove and discard the jackfruit seeds, but I don’t do that. Jackfruit seeds are loaded with minerals and protein! If they’re cooked properly, they should be soft and easy to eat and you won’t have to pick them out.
- You can’t make ripe jackfruit pulled pork. You have to use unripe, green, young, canned jackfruit (see below) for this vegan pulled pork recipe. You cannot use fresh jackfruit because it would be too sweet. Also make sure that the canned jackfruit is packed in brine, not syrup.
(This is the brand that I buy –> 
Click on the image to purchase it from Amazon)
Tips for Making Vegan Jackfruit Pulled Pork
- Make sure to rinse and drain the canned jackfruit very well before adding it to the slow cooker. Canned jackfruit is packed in a very salty brine that you should rinse off before cooking with it.
- The brand of jackfruit that you use is very important! This is my favorite high-quality canned jackfruit. I love it because the chunks of jackfruit are large and I’ve never found any pieces that have a lot of the hard center still attached. I also like the Trader Joe’s canned green jackfruit.
- I’ve found that cooking the jackfruit on high for 3 hours in the slow cooker is better than cooking the jackfruit on low for 7 hours. If you cook the tinned jackfruit for too long it gets very soft and mushy.
- Store the leftover BBQ jackfruit in an airtight glass container (these are my favorite glass containers!) for 4-5 days or you can freeze it for a future meal.
More Easy Jackfruit Recipes You’ll Love!
Chipotle-Seasoned Jackfruit Tacos
Hearty White Bean Jackfruit Stew
The BEST Baked Vegan Jackfruit Enchiladas
Slow Cooker Jackfruit Wild Rice Soup
If you’ve tried this easy recipe, please rate the recipe and let me know what you thought of it in the comments below, I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more delicious vegan recipes!
Slow Cooker Jackfruit Pulled Pork Recipe
Equipment
- 6-Quart Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 medium red onion diced
- (3) 14 oz cans young green jackfruit in brine rinsed and drained
- (1) 14 oz can pineapple chunks drained
- 1/4 cup whiskey (optional)
- (1) 18 oz jar BBQ sauce
- 1 tbsp arrowroot powder
- 8-10 soft slider rolls
- (1) 14 oz can pineapple rings (optional)
- vegan coleslaw (optional)
Instructions
- Put the diced onions, rinsed and drained canned jackfruit, pineapple chunks, BBQ sauce, and (optional) whiskey into a large 6-quart slow cooker.
- Stir it all together, cover it, and set it to cook on high for 3 hours.
- After 3 hours, remove the lid, and use two forks to shred the softened jackfruit chunks. You could also use a potato masher or wooden spoon to lightly break up the jackfruit chunks.
- Add the arrowroot powder to the slow cooker and stir it well to combine. Leave the lid off and let the BBQ vegan pulled pork continue to cook for 10-15 more minutes or until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency.
- Serve the vegan pulled pork on soft rolls with a spoonful of vegan coleslaw and a pineapple slice. Enjoy!
Notes
- Here is the recipe for the vegan coleslaw that you should make to top the BBQ jackfruit sliders.
- Make sure to rinse and drain the canned jackfruit very well before adding it to the slow cooker. Canned jackfruit is packed in a very salty brine that you should rinse off before cooking with it.
- The brand of jackfruit that you use is very important! This is my favorite high-quality canned jackfruit. I love it because the chunks of jackfruit are large and I've never found any pieces that have a lot of the hard core still attached.
- I've found that cooking the jackfruit on high for 3 hours in the slow cooker is better than cooking the jackfruit on low for 7 hours. If you cook the tinned jackfruit for too long it gets very soft and mushy.
- Store the leftover BBQ jackfruit in an airtight glass container (these are my favorite glass containers!) for 4-5 days or you can freeze it for a future meal.
