This 4 ingredient vegan BBQ jackfruit sandwich recipe is almost too easy, I considered if I should even share it. It comes together quickly with a couple of pantry staple ingredients and can be elevated with optional onion and pickle toppings. 

I put this recipe together as a last minute dinner idea. I had some leftover burger buns that needed to be used up. Looking for something to pair with them, I remembered my pantry staple canned jackfruit and in 20 minutes, dinner was ready.

Canned jackfruit pantry staple

I always keep canned jackfruit stocked in my pantry. It’s a great pantry staple to have on hand for last minute meals like this one. I buy the Trader Joe’s Green Jackfruit in Brine 20 Ounces from the store and stockpile at least 4 cans each time I go.

Jackfruit is very versatile meatless substitute. I mostly use it in tacos, burritos, or sandwiches like this one. The texture lends itself as an easy substitute for pulled pork.

Honestly, I haven’t attempted to buy the fresh jackfruit yet because I’m intimidated! I prefer the cans because it saves me the time of preparing a fresh fruit and I prefer the portioned out sizes of the cans.

Preparing the jackfruit

To prepare the jackfruit, I open 2 cans and strain the liquid. I rinse the jackfruit to try to remove some of the brine. 

The jackfruit I buy is quartered. There is a harder, stiffer part that I chop off. There are also seeds that can be removed. I shred the remaining pieces with my hands to get that shredded pork texture. The harder part is still edible and can be chopped into smaller pieces if you want to do the extra effort.  

Continue to chop and shred the 2 cans of jackfruit. Set aside.

Heat the jackfruit 

Heat a pan on the stove to medium. After it’s hot, I add olive oil to the pan and then the shredded jackfruit. This helps to give the jackfruit a little bit of texture by lightly browning it for about 5 minutes.

If you’re not using oil, this step can be done with water instead. Making it a 3 ingredient recipe!

Add your favorite BBQ sauce

BBQ sauce is another pantry staple I keep on hand. Everyone has their own preferences for BBQ sauces. I prefer to use Rib Rack BBQ Sauce because of the super clean, simple ingredients and it tastes delicious.

Add your BBQ sauce to the pan and let simmer for another 5 minutes. I keep extra BBQ on the side to add more to the sandwich when assembling.

Make it gluten free

Looking for a vegan, gluten free meal? This sandwich is easily adaptable to make it gluten free. Check to make sure your BBQ sauce is gluten free and switch out your burger buns for gluten free buns or slices of bread.

Assemble vegan BBQ jackfruit sandwiches

I toast my burger buns for preference. Assemble your sandwiches by placing the BBQ jackfruit on your burger bun. This is optional, but I add sliced pickles and slides red onions to complete the sandwich. The flavors are excellent together.

In 20 minutes, you’ve put together a vegan BBQ jackfruit sandwich for quick meals!