BBQ Jackfruit Vegan Sliders (Printable Version)

Smoky, tender jackfruit sliders with tangy barbecue sauce and fresh coleslaw for a plant-based twist.

# Needed Ingredients:

→ Jackfruit Filling

01 - 2 cans (20 oz each) young green jackfruit in brine or water, drained and rinsed
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 120 milliliters vegan barbecue sauce
06 - 1 tablespoon tomato paste
07 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
09 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
10 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste

→ Sliders

12 - 6 small vegan slider buns
13 - 80 grams coleslaw mix (pre-shredded or homemade)
14 - 2 tablespoons vegan mayonnaise
15 - 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
16 - 1/2 teaspoon maple syrup
17 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

# Steps:

01 - Combine coleslaw mix, vegan mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix thoroughly, cover, and refrigerate until needed.
02 - Using hands or two forks, shred the jackfruit pieces, discarding any tough core or seeds.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté chopped onion until softened and translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
04 - Add shredded jackfruit, smoked paprika, ground cumin, chili powder, black pepper, and salt to the skillet. Stir to evenly coat the jackfruit.
05 - Stir in tomato paste and barbecue sauce. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
06 - Uncover and continue cooking for an additional 5 to 10 minutes to allow excess liquid to evaporate and flavors to concentrate.
07 - Optionally toast slider buns. Spoon generous portions of jackfruit filling onto each bun and top with prepared coleslaw.
08 - Serve immediately while warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Jackfruit shreds into authentic pulled-pork-like strands that fool even the skeptics at your table.
  • The whole thing comes together in under an hour, making it perfect for weeknight dinners without the fuss.
  • It's foolproof vegan comfort food that tastes like you've been smoking meat all afternoon.
02 -
  • Don't skip the step where you reduce the liquid at the end—watery sliders fall apart the moment you pick them up, and nobody wants that.
  • Check your barbecue sauce label because some brands sneak in honey or other animal products even when labeled vegan, so read carefully.
03 -
  • A few drops of liquid smoke stirred into the sauce adds depth without overpowering, but go easy—it's potent and easy to overdo.
  • Toast your slider buns face-down in that same skillet after you've finished cooking the jackfruit; you'll pick up all those smoky, spiced flavors and add crucial texture contrast.
Go Back