Recipes

BBQ Jackfruit Sliders

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Jackfruit is one of those ingredients that feels almost unbelievable the first time you try it. How can a fruit yes, a fruit shred and pull apart like slow-cooked meat? How can something grown on tall tropical trees become the star of a backyard-style slider that tastes like comfort food? But that’s the beauty of jackfruit. It surprises you in all the best ways.

For generations across South and Southeast Asia, jackfruit has been a staple long before it became a trend in Western kitchens. In many regions, it was the “food that fed the village,” a fruit big enough to nourish entire families when resources were scarce. Young green jackfruit, firm and neutral in flavor, was cooked into curries, stews, and savory dishes its mild taste absorbing spices like a sponge, its texture turning tender as it simmered. It has always been a symbol of abundance, resilience, and resourceful cooking.

Today, jackfruit is finding new life in plant-based kitchens everywhere because it solves a problem many people have: wanting the satisfying texture of a pulled sandwich without relying on processed meat alternatives. It’s whole food. It’s minimally touched. It’s as close to nature as it gets. And when it’s seasoned well smoky, sweet, spicy, tangy it becomes something almost magical.

Jackfruit sliders embody the joy of that transformation. With just a few spices, a bit of sautéing, and a splash of sauce, the fruit begins to soften and shred, turning into a rich, flavorful filling that feels familiar and new at the same time. Pair it with crunchy slaw, a soft bun, maybe a few pickles, and suddenly you have a dish that tastes like celebration but cooks like simplicity. It’s the kind of recipe you pull out for a family lunch, a potluck, or a Sunday afternoon when you want something fun without the heaviness that comfort food often brings.

What makes jackfruit even more aligned with the Let’s Veg lifestyle is how accessible it’s becoming. You don’t need to hunt for it in specialty markets most grocery stores carry canned young jackfruit now. It’s affordable, it’s easy to store, and it’s incredibly forgiving. You can roast it, sauté it, simmer it, or throw it into a slow cooker. It works with barbecue sauce, taco seasoning, curry spices, you name it. Once you get comfortable with it, you start seeing it as a blank canvas waiting for flavor and creativity.

Most importantly, jackfruit sliders represent what we love most about plant-forward living: you don’t have to give anything up to feel good about what you’re eating. You can still enjoy the textures and flavors you crave just with ingredients that support your health, your energy, and your curiosity in the kitchen. This recipe is about fun, flexibility, and discovering new ways to love the foods that love you back.

Zack