This Melt in Your Mouth Jackfruit "Pulled Pork" Couldn't Be Easier to Make

I am most definitely not a vegan– I'm a firm believer that cheese is one of life's greatest pleasures and that everything tastes better with bacon on it. But when I learned it was possible to make "pulled pork" using jackfruit, I was intrigued. This melt in your mouth jackfruit pulled pork smothered in barbecue sauce is proof that vegan food can be good– even to someone who doesn't normally adhere to a vegan lifestyle.

Jackfruit "Pulled Pork"

• Prep Time:30 mins
• Cook Time:5 hrs
• Total Time:5 hrs 30 mins
• Servings:8
• Easy

Ingredients

• Two 20.2 oz cans young green jackfruit in water
• 1/2 white onion
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 cup your favorite barbecue sauce
• 3/4 cup vegetable stock
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
• Salt and pepper to taste

• Step 1

  Drain the canned jackfruit and rinse a few times with water. Using a knife, cut off the core, where the texture gradient changes from stratified to more solid. This will make it easier to "pull" later. The core can be cut into smaller pieces and combined with the outer layer of the fruit.

  

• Step 2

  Chop the onion and mince the garlic. Add the jackfruit, onion, and garlic to a slow cooker.

  

• Step 3

  Add the barbecue sauce, liquid smoke, vegetable stock, and red pepper to the slow cooker. Stir until the jackfruit is evenly coated, then set the slow cooker to high and leave it to cook for four hours.

  

• Step 4

  After four hours, use two forks to pull the outer, stratified jackfruit layer. This will yield a stringy consistency, identical to that of pulled pork. Cook on high for another hour.

  

• Step 5

  Taste and add salt or pepper if desired. Top the jackfruit pulled pork with vegan slaw or make sandwiches using a vegan roll.

  

Try pairing this jackfruit pulled pork with vegan cornbread or topping it with vegan slaw. Costing only $10 for 8 servings, this “pulled pork” is great for anyone looking to eat healthy on a budget, and the short prep time is convenient for those who don't have much time to cook in the evening. If you're having trouble finding canned jackfruit, check an Asian market or buy it on Amazon. And if this recipe inspired you to give veganism a try, check out this beginner's guide.