BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches

Oh, here you go: a recipe that makes being vegan actually feel easy. I used to love eating BBQ back when I was a meat eater living in the South, and I haven't had BBQ in a long time for two reasons: living in Los Angeles severely limits my BBQ options, and I no longer eat meat. BUT, those two things shouldn't necessarily force me to give up my love for those smoky, savory flavors that I used to love in BBQ. Enter: BBQ Jackfruit sandwiches, which are deliciously vegan.

Now, I should clarify that I don't consider myself to be vegan, but I do love to cook and bake vegan food because I like the challenge of making vegan food taste really good. Let's not pretend that the vegan diet is traditionally exciting: I love fruits and veggies as much as the next L.A. girl but I like them to be dressed up a bit to not taste like boiled grass. This BBQ Jackfruit recipe is one of my favorite things to make when I'm craving a solid meal - you know those times when eating a salad just isn't enough. I keep a few cans of jackfruit on hand just for occasions like these, and I couldn't be happier to see that Trader Joe's jackfruit is back in stock now!

Back to flavor, though. If you haven't had jackfruit before, it's one of the most adaptable foods that you can cook with, because you can make it taste like pretty much anything you want it to. Jackfruit itself has a pretty neutral flavor and a soft, fleshy texture that makes it a perfect meat substitute. Treat it like tofu and you'll be rewarded with yummy vegan food that tastes like something you used to eat in your pre-plant-based-diet days.

Making BBQ Jackfruit at home is super easy, and I like to put mine on wheat buns to make it into a sandwich. You can also use this BBQ Jackfruit recipe to make burritos and tacos, too!

Dig in!

Recipe

Ingredients

1, 20-oz can of jackfruit (drained, rinsed, and broken apart)

1/2 diced onion

3 cloves of minced garlic

1/2 cup veggie broth

1/2 cup barbecue sauce

Pinch of salt and pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil and set aside.

Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add in the onion and cook for a few minutes until soft and translucent. Add garlic and cook for an additional minute. Now, add in the jackfruit and mix well.

Pour in the veggie broth and simmer the mixture for about 10 minutes until the liquid is absorbed. Spread the mixture onto a baking sheet and season with a pinch of salt and pepper.

Bake in the oven for 10 minutes. Drizzle with the BBQ sauce and cook for 10 minutes more, until browned.

Take the jackfruit out of the oven and toss the mixture together so it is evenly coated in BBQ sauce. Eat up!