Slow Cooker BBQ Jackfruit Stuffed Sweet Potatoes is a hearty, vegan dinner recipe.
Baked sweet potatoes are stuffed with slow cooked vegan pulled pork.
Let's chat about jackfruit. Are you a fan? Not quite sure what in the world jackfruit is? Well, jackfruit makes a wonderful vegan 'meat like' replacement.
The jackfruit has a texture that is similar to pulled pork when it is cooked. It shreds just like pork would.
I will admit that the first time that I made this recipe, I was a little scared because the texture looks just like pulled pork!
I think you could try and serve this to an omnivore crowd and they might not be able to detect that it isn't actually pork.
where to find jackfruit
You can find canned jackfruit at any Asian international grocery store or online.
You can also find jackfruit at Trader Joe's if you shop there.
You want to make sure that you get young green jackfruit in brine or water. Be careful not to purchase jackfruit that has been canned in a syrup.
This vegan jackfruit recipe is simple and easy to make because the slow cooker does most of the work.
How to make BBQ Jackfruit
Before the jackfruit gets added to the slow cooker, rinse the jackfruit and pat dry. You want to make sure that the jackfruit is dry. This will help the spices stick to the jackfruit.
Next, you'll want to remove the seeds and remove the hard ends of the jackfruit.
Once the jackfruit is coated in the BBQ spice rub, it is added to the slow cooker. Use your favorite vegan-friendly bbq sauce to the jackfruit.
The BBQ Jackfruit will cook on low in the slow cooker for 5 hours.
After the BBQ Jackfruit has cooked for about 5 hours, it is time to shred the jackfruit.
It should come apart very easily with a fork. Let it cook on low for another hour.
At this point in the recipe, I'll start baking the sweet potatoes and making the avocado Crema if serving with the jackfruit.
This next step is optional put I think it's worth the extra step.
Sometimes the texture of jackfruit can be a little mushy. To prevent this, you can broil the shredded jackfruit for a few minutes.
When the jackfruit cooks under the broiler, it resembles traditional pulled pork. The texture firms up and isn't soft and mushy.
I like to serve the BBQ Jackfruit over baked sweet potatoes. If you aren't a big fan of sweet potatoes, you can always serve the jackfruit in a bun for sandwiches.
I like to bake the sweet potatoes after I shred the jackfruit so both the potatoes and jackfruit will be ready at the same time.
I served mine with a simple avocado crema, but that is totally optional. To make it even easier, just dice up a avocado to go on top!
This Slow Cooker BBQ Jackfruit Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Avocado Crema is a satisfying plant-based entree that your whole family will enjoy.
Full of flavor and it has that pulled pork texture that I think will even fool an omnivore.
If you love this jackfruit recipe, you'll love these other recipes using jackfruit:
Jackfruit Salsa Verde Tostadas
Jackfruit Tacos with Rice
Slow Cooker BBQ Peach Jackfruit
Beer Braised Jackfruit Tacos
I hope you enjoy this Slow Cooker BBQ Jackfruit Stuffed Sweet Potatoes as much as me! Be sure tag us #thymeandlove on Instagram so we can see your beautiful creations!
BBQ Slow Cooker Jackfruit Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Jackfruit makes a great Vegan replacement for pulled pork. It is a healthier option that it packed full of flavor from a spice rub and your favorite bbq sauce! For a complete meal, serve the BBQ Jackfruit with baked Sweet Potatoes.
Ingredients
- 2- 20 Ounces Cans Young Jackfruit in brine {not syrup}, drained and rinsed
- 1 Tablespoon Brown Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Mexican Oregano
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- ½ teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- ½ teaspoon Chili Powder
- 1 Cup Vegan-Friendly BBQ Sauce
- 4 Large Sweet Potatoes, scrubbed and cleaned
Avocado Crema:
- 1 Large Avocado
- Juice of 1 Lime
- Salt to taste
- Handful Chopped Cilantro, optional
- 2-4 Tablespons Water
Instructions
- Rinse and drain the jackfruit. Remove the seeds and cut off the tip of the jackfruit. This will remove the hard ends of the jackfruit.
- In a large mixing bowl add the jackfruit. Pat the jackfruit dry with a paper towel or dish towel.
- Add all the spices {brown sugar to chili powder} and stir to evenly coat the jackfruit with all the spices.
- Add the jackfruit to the slow cooker. Pour the bbq sauce over the jackfruit and stir.
- Cook on low for 5 hours.
- After 5 hours, shred the jackfruit with a fork. Cook for an additional hour.
- Preheat the oven to 375. Poke the sweet potatoes with a fork then wrap them with a aluminum foil. Place on a cookie sheet. Bake until tender, 40-60 minutes or longer depending on the size.
- While the jackfruit and sweet potatoes are finishing cooking, make the avocado crema. In a blender or food processor, add the avocado, lime juice, cilantro if using, salt to taste and water. Blend until smooth. Add any additional water as needed. Taste for seasonings.
- After the jackfruit is done in slow cooker, transfer the jackfruit to a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
- Broil the jackfruit for 5-10 minutes, or until the desired texture is reached.
- Serve the cooked jackfruit over the baked sweet potatoes and serve with the avocado crema is using.
XO Jeni
Nina
does the jack fruit need to be brined if fresh?
Jeni
No, just if it's canned!
Marni
The jackfruit tastes good but the consistency is mush. How do I get it chewier?
Emma
I use pan, stir for 5 mins, add veggie broth and simmer for about 30 min, after bake for about 20 min 180 degrees. Soft texture but not mashy. Hope it helps.
Jeni
I have done this also. My jackfruit is usually never really mushy when I make it in the slow cooker.
Jeni
If it is way to mushy, you can try to pan fry the jackfruit after it is done in the slow cooker. Heat 1-2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the jackfruit and cook, stirring, until it has reached the desired consistency.
Lashonda
What if you don’t have a slow cooker?
Jeni
You could make it on the stove top. I would just heat some oil in a large deep skillet and then add the jackfruit. Cook about 7-9 to brown the jackfruit and then add the BBQ sauce. Cook for about 20 minutes and then shred the jackfruit. Hope this helps!
SS
Can you cook the sweet potatoes in the slow cooker with the jackfruit instead of separately in the oven?
Mila Weiss
Yum. 'Nuff said.