Thank you, Unilever® and Hellmann’s® for sponsoring this blog post! I’m grateful to partner with brands I love to cook with, and all opinions are my own.

Jackfruit is the perfect plant-based substitute for animal protein in these barbecue jackfruit sliders! Easy, homemade barbecue sauce and fresh pineapple salsa give these sliders the best sweet and spicy flavor. 

jackfruit sliders

Jackfruit sliders. There’s a first time for everything, right? Before this recipe, I was totally new to the jackfruit game. Let me tell you, I am hooked! Ben gave this recipe the boyfriend-approval stamp. It is his new favorite meal!

What is jackfruit?

The jackfruit tree is related to the fig, mulberry, and breadfruit species (1). Jackfruit grows in India and other southeast Asian countries, Africa, Brazil, and Suriname. The jackfruit plant produces massive fruit, weighing up to 100 pounds!

Ripe jackfruit tastes similar to pineapple or mango. But when it is unripe, jackfruit has a neutral flavor, like potato. It’s texture is stringy, similar to pulled pork or chicken. Therefore, unripe jackfruit is an excellent meat substitute in savory dishes.

Jackfruit sliders stack

What’s in these barbecue jackfruit sliders?

Thanks to easy, homemade barbecue sauce and pineapple salsa, these jackfruit sliders are crazy flavorful. Plus, the homemade barbecue sauce has no refined sugar. I used Hellmann’s® Real Ketchup in this recipe. This gluten-free ketchup contains just six real, simple and delicious ingredients and is only sweetened with honey! How awesome is that? I love this ketchup because it’s made with non-GMO sourced ingredients and contains no high fructose corn syrup or artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.

Main ingredients in these barbecue jackfruit sliders

  • Jackfruit
  • Pineapple
  • Bell pepper
  • Red onion
  • Jalapeno
  • Lime
  • Cilantro
  • Garlic
  • Barbecue sauce ingredients: tomato paste, Hellmann’s® Real Ketchup, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce or tamari, unsweetened applesauce, molasses, honey and spices.
Hellman's Jackfruit Sliders

Making homemade barbecue sauce might sound daunting, but it couldn’t be easier! Just mix all the ingredients together in a saucepan, heat, and it’s ready to use.

You’ll have some leftover barbecue sauce from this recipe. Try tossing my favorite crispy tofu in it, or bake up some barbecue salmon!

Barbecue jackfruit sliders

If you love this recipe, you may also like

pineapple salsa

Let me know if you love this recipe by leaving a comment or rating below, and check out Instagram and Pinterest for more healthy lifestyle inspiration.

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Barbecue Jackfruit Sliders with Pineapple Salsa (Vegan)

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  • Author: Alex Aldeborgh
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 6 sliders 1x
  • Category: main dish
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Description

Jackfruit is the perfect plant-based substitute for animal protein in these barbecue jackfruit sliders! Easy homemade barbecue sauce and fresh pineapple salsa give these sliders the best sweet and spicy flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

Barbecue Sauce

  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce or tamari
  • 1 tbsp honey mustard
  • 1 tbsp molasses
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

Pineapple Salsa

  • 2 cups pineapple, diced small
  • 1 bell pepper, diced small
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/2 of a red onion, peeled and diced
  • 1/2 of a jalapeno pepper, minced
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • Salt

Finishing Touches

  • 1 10 oz package pulled jackfruit (find it in the refrigerated section at the grocery store or canned jackfruit is available online)
  • Whole wheat slider buns
  • 1 avocado, sliced
  • 6 small lettuce leaves
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Instructions

  1. Combine all barbecue sauce ingredients in a saucepan and stir to combine. Heat over medium heat for 5 minutes until smooth. Remove from heat.
  2. While the sauce heats, combine all pineapple salsa ingredients in a mixing bowl and toss to combine.
  3. Heat the pulled jackfruit in a frying pan, stirring occasionally, until heated through. Add about 1/2 cup of barbecue sauce and stir to coat the jackfruit.
  4. Toast the slider buns (optional), then top each bun with about 1/3 cup jackfruit, a few slices of avocado, lettuce, and a scoop of pineapple salsa.

Notes

  • These sliders would also make delicious tacos!

Nutrition Disclaimer

As a Registered Dietitian, I create nutritionally-balanced recipes using whole food ingredients to promote good health and well-being.  Additionally, I am a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor. My nutrition philosophy encompasses an all-foods-fit approach, and I do not promote tracking calories, macronutrients, or other numbers. Nevertheless, I understand that this information can be educational and helpful for some people.

I cannot guarantee complete accuracy of the nutrition information provided here, as these numbers are estimates. Nutrition is individualized. If you have specific nutrition needs, please consult your physician or a Registered Dietitian. 

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