Pulled Jackfruit Sandwiches with Slaw
In short: Young green jackfruit simmered in a smoky barbecue sauce, shredded into tender strands and piled into soft buns with a crunchy cabbage slaw. It takes about 1 h in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 40 min
- Total
- 1 h
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 420 kcal
Young green jackfruit has a mild flavor and a stringy texture that shreds like slow-cooked meat, which suits barbecue-style sandwiches well. It is simmered in a sauce of ketchup, vinegar, maple syrup and smoked paprika, then pulled apart with forks until the sauce turns thick and sticky. A cold, crunchy slaw on top balances the sweet and smoky filling. Look for jackfruit in brine or water, not syrup, in cans at larger supermarkets.
Instructions
- Rinse the jackfruit well and squeeze it dry. Cut away the hard cores and trim off any tough bits, then pull the rest apart with your fingers or chop it into chunks. Pat dry.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet or wide pot over medium heat and cook the onion for 6 minutes. Add the garlic and tomato paste for 1 minute.
- Stir in the ketchup, water, vinegar, maple syrup, soy sauce, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder and salt. Bring to a simmer, then add the jackfruit.
- Cover and simmer over low heat for 20 minutes, stirring now and then. Use two forks to shred the jackfruit into strands as it softens.
- Uncover and cook for 8 to 10 minutes more, stirring often, until the sauce is thick and clings to the jackfruit. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
- While it cooks, toss the cabbage, carrot, mayonnaise, vinegar and salt in a bowl for the slaw.
- Pile the pulled jackfruit onto the buns, top with slaw and serve straight away.
Tips
- Buy young green jackfruit in brine or water. Ripe jackfruit in syrup is sweet and will not work for a savory sandwich.
- For crisp edges, spread the finished jackfruit on a baking sheet and bake at 220°C (425°F) for 10 minutes. Cook in a slow cooker on low for 6 hours for a hands-off alternative.
Questions and answers
What does jackfruit taste like?
Young green jackfruit is mild and slightly neutral, so it takes on the flavor of whatever sauce you cook it in. Its texture is stringy and tender, like pulled meat.
Can I freeze pulled jackfruit?
Yes. Freeze the cooled filling in sealed bags for up to 3 months and reheat in a pan with a splash of water. The slaw does not freeze.
What can I serve with jackfruit sandwiches?
Oven fries, corn on the cob, baked beans or a green salad all work. The jackfruit is also good on nachos, baked potatoes or in tacos.
How long does it take to make Pulled Jackfruit Sandwiches with Slaw?
About 1 h in total: 20 min of preparation and 40 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Pulled Jackfruit Sandwiches with Slaw?
About 420 kcal per serving, with 8 g of protein, 68 g of carbohydrates and 13 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 420 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 8 g |
| Carbohydrates | 68 g |
| Fat | 13 g |
| Fiber | 10 g |
| Sugar | 28 g |
| Sodium | 1350 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
