The burger above might look like your average trendy pulled pork slider, but all is not as it seems…
They’re actually totally vegan and natural.
We know! What the what?!
Jackfruit, the giant knobbly fruit in the picture above, is proving to be a veggie’s dream.
A tree-grown fruit, native to Southeast Asia, its flavour is pretty bland but full of fibre and nutrients in its unripened form.
Strangely, its meat-like consistency and ability to absorb any flavour you throw at it makes the jackfruit a perfect substitute for meat.
You won’t be able to taste the difference from a real pulled pork bun. Trust us…
And what meat is it most like? The delicious BBQ pulled pork that can be seen at all hip bars and street feasts across the country at the moment.
Here’s an easy recipe, complements of the awesome blog Blissful Basil, so you can make your own vegan pulled pork tonight!
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Ingredients
- 1 can green, young jackfruit in water or brine
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon smoke salt (optional)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
- ¼ cup water
- 4 whole-wheat buns
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté until tender (5-7 minutes).
- Drain and rinse the jackfruit in a strainer. Cut the core of the jackfruit (the triangular tip) from the flesh and discard the core.
- Mix chili powder, cumin, smoke salt, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and brown sugar together in a medium bowl. Add in the jackfruit flesh and toss to coat.
- Add seasoned jackfruit to the skillet with the onions and garlic. Sauté for 5 minutes.
- Whisk the barbeque sauce and water together. Pour into the skillet with the jackfruit. Cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes or until tender.
- While the jackfruit simmers, toast the buns in a toaster.
- Remove the lid from the skillet and shred the jackfruit with a fork. Continue to simmer with the lid off for 5-10 minutes or until the barbeque sauce is reduced.
- NOTE: you can either enjoy the “pulled pork” as is OR spread it on a baking pan and bake it in a 350 degree oven for 20 minutes. Readers have reported that this makes the texture more “pork” like.
- Fill each of the buns with a mound of jackfruit and top with garnishes of choice (ideas: pickled red onions, cilantro, parsley, etc).
We promise, with this crazy recipe you won’t be able to taste the difference from the real thing!
Happy munching!
