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    Home » Recipes » Appetizers

    Pulled Jackfruit Nachos with Homemade BBQ Sauce

    Published: Mar 11, 2020 · Modified: May 25, 2020 by Rosa · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, meaning if you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.

    683 shares
    JUMP TO RECIPE

    Perfect for movie night or game day, these delicious nachos are covered in BBQ jackfruit, cooked in a homemade BBQ sauce that is immensely flavourful, yet incredibly simple to prepare.

    BBQ jackfruit over a platter of tortilla chips

    This recipe was originally published in July 2018. It has been updated for content and photos.

    You are going to love these jackfruit nachos!

    They’re ready in minutes with very simple prep methods.

    They’re fun, perfect to feed a crowd, and vegan and omnivore approved.

    As an added bonus, these jackfruit nachos are not only vegan, but they’re gluten free, and allergen friendly. If you make your own chips, you could make this dish oil free too!

    Platter of nachos with guacamole and sour cream for dipping.

    What’s in BBQ jackfruit?

    First, make sure you’re using canned green jackfruit in water or brine, not syrup.

    You do not want the syrupy kind as it will be very sweet and doesn’t work well for a savoury dish.

    I find it at my local Asian supermarket, some Walmart’s or large chain grocery stores. It’s very inexpensive and under two dollars a can. If you’re having trouble finding it near you, try online. Amazon often carries it, but again, do NOT get the syrup kind.

    ingredients to make pulled jackfruit nachos in smalls bowls

    Can I use fresh over canned?

    Although you can buy fresh jackfruit at the supermarket, I hear it’s VERY difficult to work with.

    It’s sticky, and messy and the textured skin is difficult to remove. So your hands will end up a sticky mess, plus you’ll then need to cook it for up to 45 minutes to soften it.

    So if you’re feeling adventurous, give it a go, and tell me all about it. Or just grab a can, drain, rinse and you’re ready to go. 🙂

    How to prepare canned jackfruit

    Open your can and make sure to rinse well to remove the brine flavour. Then drain and set aside.

    To make the homemade BBQ sauce, combine all the sauce ingredients in a medium bowl and mix well, then set aside.

    bowl of jackfruit chunks and bowl of homemade bbq sauce

    Shred the jackfruit using your hands (or two forks). Place it in a large skillet. (photos 1-2)

    I like to shred before cooking it so it’s easier to handle and not hot to the touch. It will pull apart fairly easily, but you may use a knife help with the core pieces, if needed.

    Do not discard any parts of the fruit. It’s all edible and delicious, no need to waste any!

    shredding jackfruit with hands into large skillet

    How to cook it

    Pour the BBQ sauce over the jackfruit and mix well. (photos 3-4)

    pouring bbq sauce over shredded jackfruit

    Then, over medium heat, cook stirring occasionally until it absorbs the sauce. It may look a little watery at first, but it will reduce. Just let it simmer, and the jackfruit will absorb all the delicious sauce. This will take about 5-8 minutes. (photos 5-6)

    jackfruit cooking in large skillet with bbq sauce

    I like jackfruit soft in texture, but if you prefer some crispy edges, transfer it to a baking tray and bake in a hot oven for 15-20 minutes before assembling your nachos.

    How to assemble your jackfruit nachos

    Add your favourite tortilla chips to a large platter. Then layer them generously with your BBQ jackfruit and sprinkle any other toppings you’d like. (photos 7-8)

    Remember, the jackfruit is the star of the show here, so add a good amount.

    I usually opt for simple ingredients like canned black beans, thawed frozen corn and some sliced jalapeno.

    layering nacho chips with jackfruit, black beans, jalapeno and corn

    Serve your jackfruit nachos with all your favourite dippers (I like guacamole and cashew cream) and enjoy.

    Or, you may want to make some vegan cheese sauce to dunk in or just drizzle on top. Or go for a spicy cheesy sauce like my Jalapeno Popper Dip.

    Either way, you are going to love these!

    Chip being dunked into bowl of sour cream in the center of a platter of nachos.

    More nacho toppings

    • Black olives
    • Pinto beans
    • Diced tomatoes
    • Cilantro
    • Avocado
    • Green or red onion

    More jackfruit recipes

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      Vegan Chicken Soup w/ Jackfruit & Potato
    • hand lifting slice of pizza
      BBQ Jackfruit Pizza with Instant Pot Option
    • Hands holding up jackfruit burrito that is cut in half.
      BBQ Jackfruit Burrito [Vegan Burritos]
    • vegan chicken salad in white serving bowl with creamy dressing
      Vegan Chicken Salad [GF + Oil Free]

    If you tried this recipe, please let me know about it in the comments below. I always love hearing from you! Don’t forget to Subscribe to This Healthy Kitchen to be among the first to get my new recipes! You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter to see more delicious food and get all the latest updates.

    Buon appetito,
    Rosa

    Platter of nachos with jackfruit, jalapeno, and corn on top.

    Pulled Jackfruit Nachos with Homemade BBQ Sauce

    Delicious vegan nachos are topped with jackfruit that is smothered in delicious, homemade BBQ sauce. Ready in 20 minutes!
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe Add to Collection Go to Collections
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 8 minutes
    Total Time: 18 minutes
    Course: Appetizer, Snack
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Servings: 4 Servings
    Calories: 378kcal

    Ingredients

    For the Jackfruit

    • 220 grams bag multigrain tortilla chips or your choice
    • 20 oz can young green jackfruit drained & rinsed (the kind in water or brine, not syrup)
    • 3 tablespoon tomato paste
    • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
    • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
    • 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
    • 2 tablespoon tamari or soy sauce (or ½ teaspoon salt)
    • ¼ cup water
    • 2 teaspoon onion powder
    • 2 teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
    • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional

    Optional Toppings & Dips

    • black beans
    • corn
    • jalapeno
    • olives
    • fresh cilantro
    • guacamole
    • cashew cream
    • salsa
    • nut free cheese sauce
    • spicy "Jalapeno Popper" dip
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    Instructions

    • Combine all the bbq sauce ingredients in a medium bowl and mix well. Set aside.
    • Pull apart the chunks of jackfruit using your hands or two forks. It will shred quite easily, and place it in a large skillet. Then pour the sauce over top and mix well.
    • Over medium heat, cook the jackfruit in the sauce, it will be a little soupy at first but it will quickly absorb the sauce as it cooks. This will take about 5-8 minutes.
    • Meanwhile, layer your chips in a serving dish, and once ready, top it with the jackfruit and your choice of toppings. Serve your jackfruit nachos with guacamole, cashew cream, and/or salsa.

    Notes

    Make sure to purchase jackfruit that is canned in water or brine, and not syrup. The syrupy kind is very sweet and you want it to absorb the BBQ sauce flavour, and not be overpowered by the syrupy taste.
    If you’re short on time, or don’t want to make your own BBQ sauce, you may sub for a store bought sauce instead. Use about ¾ cup of prepared sauce in replacement of the homemade version.
    If you prefer some crispy edges on your jackfruit, transfer it, once cooked, to a baking tray in a single layer and bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes before adding to your nachos.
    For oil free chips, here’s a recipe by Sweet Simple Vegan to make your own healthy tortilla chips.
    Remember, the jackfruit is the star of the show, so add a generous layer to your chips before sprinkling additional toppings.
    If you have leftovers, store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
    Use your leftovers to make a vegan “pulled pork” style sandwich topped with my creamy vegan coleslaw.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 378kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 863mg | Potassium: 448mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 358IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 172mg | Iron: 2mg
    DID YOU TRY THIS RECIPE?Mention @this.healthy.kitchen on IG and tag #thishealthykitchen!
    *Nutritional information is an estimate, calculated using online tools and does not include optional ingredients unless otherwise indicated.
    683 shares

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    1. Jd

      March 24, 2022 at 5:59 pm

      5 stars
      I just made these and they are delicious. I wasn’t going to make the BBQ sauce and use one I had in the refrigerator. I am so glad I made the sauce. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • Rosa

        March 25, 2022 at 8:16 am

        You’re very welcome. Thrilled you enjoyed! 🙂

        Reply
    2. Karl

      January 20, 2020 at 1:25 am

      5 stars
      We’re just recently eating vegan and I’ve been looking for something to do with Jackfruit, the flavour of the BBQ sauce is freaking delicious! I made a few substitutes but it turned out amazing! Thanks so much for posting this. Yum

      Reply
      • rosa

        January 20, 2020 at 7:12 am

        My pleasure Karl, so glad you enjoyed! 🙂

        Reply
    3. Tammy

      March 16, 2019 at 12:52 pm

      5 stars
      This was so delicious 😋

      Reply
      • rosa

        March 16, 2019 at 2:55 pm

        Thanks Tammy! Glad you think so.

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Rosa! Welcome to This Healthy Kitchen where you'll find tasty and nutritious, plant-based recipes. I'm an avid home cook who believes food is medicine. Each recipe is made using wholesome ingredients, and under 400 calories per serving with several gluten-free and oil-free options! Occasional cheat days included. 😉

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