Vegan BBQ Jackfruit Lettuce Tacos (Printable)

Smoky BBQ jackfruit in crisp lettuce leaves topped with tangy creamy slaw and fresh cilantro.

# What you need:

→ For the BBQ Jackfruit

01 - 2 cans (14 oz each) young green jackfruit in brine, drained and rinsed
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 small red onion, finely diced
04 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 1 cup vegan BBQ sauce
06 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
08 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ For the Creamy Slaw

09 - 2 cups shredded green cabbage
10 - 1 cup shredded purple cabbage
11 - 1 medium carrot, julienned
12 - 1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions
13 - 1/4 cup vegan mayonnaise
14 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
15 - 1 teaspoon maple syrup
16 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ For Serving

17 - 8 large butter lettuce leaves or romaine hearts
18 - Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
19 - Lime wedges

# How to make it:

01 - In a large bowl, combine green and purple cabbage, carrot, and green onions. In a small bowl, whisk together vegan mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, salt, and pepper. Pour dressing over vegetables and toss until well coated. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
02 - Using your hands or two forks, shred the jackfruit pieces, removing any hard core or seeds.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add red onion and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute longer.
04 - Add shredded jackfruit, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Cook for 2 minutes while stirring to coat the jackfruit thoroughly in the spices.
05 - Stir in BBQ sauce and reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the jackfruit is tender and sauce is thickened. Adjust seasoning as needed.
06 - Place a generous spoonful of BBQ jackfruit into each lettuce leaf. Top with creamy slaw and garnish with fresh cilantro. Serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The jackfruit shreds into strands that genuinely mimic pulled meat, so even skeptics won't notice the switch.
  • It comes together in 40 minutes flat, which means weeknight dinner without the fuss or the guilt.
  • The creamy slaw cuts through the smokiness with brightness, making every bite feel balanced and complete.
02 -
  • Drain and rinse your jackfruit thoroughly—I learned this the hard way when a batch came out too salty and overly briny, which no amount of BBQ sauce could fix.
  • Don't skip the ten-minute simmer even if you're hungry; this is when the jackfruit softens and the flavors actually develop instead of just sitting on top of each other.
03 -
  • If you want extra smokiness without buying liquid smoke, toast your spices in a dry pan for thirty seconds before adding the oil—this deepens their flavor considerably.
  • Butter lettuce leaves sometimes have a tough outer edge; peel those away and reserve them for the back of the fridge where they belong.
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