Jackfruit BBQ (Plant-Based Pulled Style)

A smoky, juicy and plant-based BBQ dish made using 100% natural Tropical Exotics Fresh Cut Raw Jackfruit. This vegan recipe delivers the perfect pulled-meat texture with rich BBQ flavor, making it ideal for wraps, burgers, bowls and healthy comfort meals.

• Yield: 3–4 servings
• Cook time: 15 minutes
• Total time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 500–600 g Tropical Exotics Fresh Cut Raw Jackfruit
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika or liquid smoke
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar or coconut sugar
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup vegan BBQ sauce

Instructions

Rinse the Tropical Exotics fresh cut raw jackfruit and gently pat it dry. If there are any hard center pieces, remove them and keep the soft fibrous parts that shred easily.

Using your fingers or two forks, lightly pull apart the jackfruit to create a pulled texture.

Add the garlic powder, chili powder, salt, smoked paprika, paprika, and brown sugar to the jackfruit. Toss well until all pieces are evenly coated with the seasoning.

Heat olive oil in a wide pan over medium heat. Add the seasoned jackfruit and sauté for 5–7 minutes, stirring often. As it cooks, gently press and shred the pieces further to create a juicy, meat-like texture.

Once the jackfruit becomes soft and slightly caramelized, remove from heat and stir in the BBQ sauce. Mix until the jackfruit is fully coated in the smoky sauce.

How to Serve

Serve this Tropical Exotics BBQ Jackfruit in burger buns, wraps, tacos, rice bowls or salads. It makes a delicious plant-based alternative to pulled meat and is perfect for healthy, cruelty-free meals.

Notes & Tips

• Use fresh raw jackfruit: Tropical Exotics Fresh Cut Raw Jackfruit gives the best shredded texture and absorbs BBQ flavors better than canned jackfruit in brine or water.
• For extra smoky flavor: Add a few drops of liquid smoke or use smoked paprika to get that authentic BBQ aroma.
• Perfect for meal prep: This vegan BBQ jackfruit stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and tastes even better the next day as the flavors deepen.
• Great meat alternative: Jackfruit is naturally low in fat, high in fiber, and makes an excellent plant-based substitute for pulled chicken or pork.
• Control sweetness: Adjust brown sugar based on your BBQ sauce. If the sauce is sweet, reduce the added sugar.
• Best cooking method: Sautéing the jackfruit before adding BBQ sauce helps remove moisture and improves texture for a more realistic pulled-meat feel.
• Serving ideas: Use this BBQ jackfruit in vegan burgers, tacos, wraps, grain bowls, or even as a pizza topping.