Easy Pulled Jackfruit Burger

Why We Love This Recipe

• BBQ heaven: Summer barbecues can often be super challenging for vegans, but these jackfruit burgers are the perfect addition to any BBQ thanks to their meat-like taste and texture. Looking for other "meaty" vegan recipes? Try our Vegan Pulled Mushroom BBQ Sandwich or this Vegan Cauliflower Taco Meat.
• Versatile pulled pork replacement: you can use the pulled bbq jackfruit in this recipe as a vegan substitute for pulled pork or carnitas in burrito bowls, lettuce wraps, nachos, or pizza.
• Easy and convenient: Other than the jackfruit, this recipe pretty much only uses pantry staples that you're likely to already have at home. It's quick to make and is a great weeknight dinner that's much easier to prepare than its meat-based counterpart.
• Vegan and gluten free: These pulled jackfruit burgers are perfect for just about any dietary needs!

Ingredients

Here's what you'll need to make these pulled jackfruit burgers:

Ingredient Notes

• Jackfruit: We used canned "young" (sometimes called "green" or "young green") jackfruit. Basically, this is unripe jackfruit, which has a similar taste and texture to pulled pork once cooked. Ripe jackfruit is much sweeter, and more suitable for use in sweeter/dessert recipes. If you can't find canned jackfruit, you can occasionally find it in refrigerated or even frozen pouches.
• Onion: We're using a small yellow onion for this recipe but you can also use a white onion or shallots.
• Apple cider vinegar: This adds a kick of acidity that you'll typically find in traditional BBQ recipes. We think ACV has the best flavor profile, but you could also use regular white vinegar.
• Soy sauce: Might seem like an unusual addition, but it adds some umami to the jackfruit burger "meat", which helps replicate the meaty flavor of regular pulled pork. It also helps the onions caramelize a bit faster for deeper flavor!

Instructions

(1) Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a large pot. Drain and rinse the jackfruit, then transfer to the boiling water. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 7-8 minutes until jackfruit begins to separate. Drain the jackfruit and use 2 forks to pull it apart until it resembles finely shredded meat. 

(2) Add oil to medium skillet over medium heat. Add onion and soy sauce and sauté for 8-10 minutes, until softened and slightly caramelized. 

(3) While the onions are cooking, whisk together water, tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, chili powder, salt, cumin, garlic powder and mustard powder in a medium-sized mixing bowl. 

(4) Once the onions are cooked, add the shredded jackfruit to the pan and stir well to combine. Pour in tomato paste mixture and stir well to coat the jackfruit, then cook for another 5-7 minutes over low heat before serving. 

(5) Serve on a toasted bun with vegan mayo and top with slaw and/or pickles.

Tips and FAQs

• Shredding the jackfruit: To get the right texture for this jackfruit burger, use two forks to shred the "meat", just as you would with pulled pork. The easiest way to do so is to transfer the cooked jackfruit to a large, shallow bowl or cutting board, which provides more surface area so you don't miss any pieces. You can leave some bigger pieces, or shred it all finely depending on your tastes. (Note: the finer the shred, the more similar the texture to pulled pork.)
• Drain and rinse the jackfruit: If using canned jackfruit, it will come in a brine. To get the right meaty flavor, we suggest draining and rinsing in a sieve to remove the briny flavor.
• How to serve: To serve this vegan pulled jackfruit burger like a pulled pork sandwich, add to brioche buns and top with coleslaw. To serve it like a burger, top with lettuce, tomato, and onions. You could also try serving in lettuce cups or as a pulled jackfruit taco.
• Topping ideas: Some of our favorite topping ideas for this jackfruit burger include coleslaw, sliced tomato, pickles, pickled onion, pickled cabbage, vegan mayo, or avocado (my personal favorite). For an extra flavorful slaw, try this rainbow vegetable slaw!
• Storage: This pulled jackfruit keeps well in the fridge for up to 4 days. It can also be frozen for 3 months in an airtight container and reheated on the stovetop when ready to be consumed.
• Serve with: Fries (regular or sweet potato) or roasted potatoes, an easy summer salad, gazpacho, or any other favorite side dish!

More "Meaty" Vegan Recipes

Tried this recipe? Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. You can also stay in touch with us through social media by following us on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook or by subscribing to our newsletter.