BBQ Jackfruit Sliders with Parsley Root Slaw

I have been wanting to work with jackfruit for a long time and the day has finally come! These bbq jackfruit sliders are the culmination of this very desire paired with a need to use up the excessive amount of parsley root in my refrigerator. The result was more than satisfying.

Jackfruit is an intimidating fruit. For those of you who have never seen one, picture a giant melon covered in little spikes. Very scary and prehistoric-looking. As I am not the most confident in my knife skills, I opted to use canned jackfruit for this recipe and the result was anything but a disappointment.

Jackfruit from the can doesn’t look particularly special but when fried up in a skillet with spices and baked off in the oven with bbq sauce it becomes something really spectacular. The texture (in my humble opinion) is spot on for pulled pork. Flavor-wise, the jackfruit takes on any spice you add to it. While it may lack the salty, fatty flavor attributed to pork, it more than makes up for it with its innate juiciness.

When the first batch I made came out of the oven I began eating it straight off the sheet. It was incredible and unlike anything I had ever tried before. However, I knew if it were to be piled directly onto a bun it would take on a sloppy joe quality and that’s the last thing I’m looking for here. A homemade slaw was definitely the answer.

My brother works for a company called Babé Farms here on the Central Coast and had brought me home a large bag of parsley root. For those of you that don’t know, parsley root resembles a large, white carrot and has a flavor profile that is similar to that of celery, turnip, and the parsley leaf itself. These babies made for the perfect slaw and jackfruit accompaniment.

So don’t be afraid of jackfruit! The canned variety is awesome for cooking and will save you a ton of time. The slaw also adds an amazing crunch and flavor to a sandwich that would have otherwise been left wanting.

BBQ Jackfruit Sliders with Parsley Root Slaw

BBQ Jackfruit Sliders topped with shredded parsley root slaw make for the perfect, healthy alternative to pulled pork. Try it today!

• Author: Lyndsey
• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 sliders 1x
• Category: entrées
• Cuisine: vegan

Scale 1x2x3x

Ingredients

1 onion, sliced

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 20 oz cans jackfruit in brine

1 tsp chili powder

1 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp onion powder

1 c vegetable broth

1/2 c vegan bbq sauce

For the slaw

10 oz shredded cabbage

1 c shredded carrots

1 c shredded parsley root

1 c jicama, thinly sliced

3 tbsp rice vinegar

1 tbsp lime juice

1 tsp celery seed

1/2 tsp salt

6 wheat or gluten-free hamburger buns

Instructions

1. In a large, nonstick skillet begin heating a splash of water or vegetable broth over medium-high heat. Add in sliced onions and a pinch of salt and cook until soft and caramelized, about 10 minutes. Add in minced garlic and cook for another 3-5 minutes. 

2. While onions and garlic are cooking, drain and rinse canned jackfruit. Then, take each individual piece and cut off the core portion. These core pieces will need to be cut into fine strips. The rest of the fruit will shred easily once cooked. Add jackfruit to skillet along with all of the spices. Cook for another minute or so. Add in the vegetable broth, cover the pan, and reduce heat to medium. Continue to cook for 30 minutes giving everything a stir every ten minutes.

3. As the jackfruit simmers in the vegetable broth, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (205 C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Once the jackfruit is finished cooking, take two forks and shred the fruit into strips to resemble pulled pork. Stir in the bbq sauce. Spread jackfruit across prepared baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes. 

4. While jackfruit is baking, combine all slaw ingredients in a large bowl, cover and set in the fridge until ready to use. To serve, place a large scoop of bbq jackfruit on a wheat or gluten-free bun and top with slaw. Leftover jackfruit and slaw can keep in covered containers in the fridge for 3-5 days.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 slider
• Calories: 283
• Sugar: 26.9g
• Sodium: 730mg
• Fat: 2.5g
• Saturated Fat: 0.6g
• Carbohydrates: 57.6g
• Fiber: 7.6g
• Protein: 2.8g
• Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: bbq, jackfruit, sliders