Vegan Pulled Pork

Here’s a delicious vegan pulled pork recipe that uses jackfruit instead of meat. Jackfruit is a fruit that has a meaty texture when cooked and is a great substitute for pulled pork.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cans of young jackfruit in brine or water (not syrup)
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 4 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons of olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon of smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon of ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon of brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
  • 1/2 cup of vegetable broth
  • 1/2 cup of barbecue sauce

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your smoker to 225°F.
  2. Drain the jackfruit and rinse it under cold water. Cut off the tough core and shred the jackfruit by pulling it apart with your hands.
  3. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic and sauté until they are softened and fragrant.
  4. Add the shredded jackfruit, smoked paprika, ground cumin, brown sugar, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir everything together and cook for a few minutes until the jackfruit is coated in the spices.
  5. Add the vegetable broth and barbecue sauce to the skillet and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes until the sauce has thickened and the jackfruit is tender.
  6. Transfer the jackfruit to a baking dish or smoker-safe pan and place it in the smoker.
  7. Smoke the jackfruit for 3-4 hours or until it has absorbed the smoky flavor and has a tender texture. Baste the jackfruit with the remaining barbecue sauce every hour or so to keep it moist and flavorful.
  8. Remove the jackfruit from the smoker and let it cool for a few minutes. Use two forks to pull the jackfruit apart into shreds, just like you would with pulled pork.
  9. Serve the vegan pulled pork on a bun with your favorite toppings and enjoy!

Note: If you don’t have a smoker, you can also bake the jackfruit in the oven at 350°F for 30-40 minutes or until it is tender and has absorbed the flavors.

The BBQ Sauce

Here’s a delicious vegan BBQ sauce recipe that you can use for your pulled jackfruit:

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari (gluten-free option)
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup water

Instructions:

  1. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the ketchup, apple cider vinegar, molasses, Dijon mustard, and soy sauce until well combined.
  2. Add the smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper (if using), black pepper, and salt to the bowl and whisk until everything is evenly combined.
  3. Add the water to the bowl and whisk again until the sauce is smooth and all of the ingredients are fully incorporated.
  4. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed. If you prefer a sweeter sauce, you can add more molasses, and if you like it spicier, you can add more cayenne pepper.
  5. Use the BBQ sauce immediately or store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Note: This recipe makes about 1 1/2 cups of BBQ sauce, which is enough for about 4-6 servings of pulled jackfruit. You can adjust the recipe as needed if you’re making a larger batch.