The Best Vegan Alternatives to Pulled Pork

Vegans have to say goodbye to many things, but pulled pork isn’t one of them. 

Yes! You read that right. 

We have some excellent vegan substitutes for pulled pork that looks, tastes and smells just like the original. Curious to know more? Keep reading!

Let us first understand the fundamental difference between pork and pulled pork. 

Pulled pork is soft, shredded pork that is usually made from pork shoulder. It is smoked until the meat falls apart, and ingredients like BBQ sauce are added to the pork.

Pulled pork absorbs flavors better and faster than other pork meat and can be consumed with sandwiches, tacos, burgers, and much more. Here are some sauces that pair well with pulled pork.

Preparing pulled pork well requires you to do two things:

1. Cook the meat on low heat
2. Cook the meat for a long time

When you do this, the meat gradually softens because low-and-slow heat breaks down the collagen that holds the meat together. This makes the meat easy to be pulled or shredded into thin strips of deliciousness. 

What is Vegan Pulled Pork?

Vegan pulled pork is made from jackfruit.

Barbecued jackfruit has the look, taste, and texture of real meat. This makes it the rightful king of meat substitutes. Jackfruit has a strong, meaty smell, without an overly fruity flavor, which makes it perfect for pulled pork.

Vegan pulled pork is very close to the real deal in terms of appearance and texture, but I need to set the right expectations. If you are pork-lover, you can definitely tell the difference. 

Buying and Working With Jackfruit

The first factor to consider is the kind of jackfruit you would like to use to make vegan pulled pork.

You can either opt for fresh jackfruit or choose the canned variety available at your nearby grocery stores. I suggest using the canned variety to save time. 

What If You Can’t Get Jackfruit?

If you hate the mess of working with fresh jackfruit or don’t want to use jackfruit altogether, do not panic, you can still have pulled pork. 

Mushrooms are an excellent vegan replacement for pulled pork. They have a very similar taste and texture to jackfruit, and subsequently, pork.

To prepare vegan pulled pork with mushrooms, we can use King Oyster mushrooms, Portobello, or Shiitake.

To enjoy vegan pulled pork dishes with mushrooms instead of jackfruit, you can simply switch out the ingredients. The recipes for pulled pork mushroom and pulled pork jackfruit are quite similar.

The mushroom adds a slightly different flavor that really complements the vegan pulled pork sandwich below!

The Benefits of Vegan BBQ Pulled Pork

Like all vegan food, vegan BBQ pork has excellent health benefits.

Jackfruit is rich in Vitamin A as well as Potassium. It helps in maintaining good eye-sight as well as keeping our blood pressure in check. Mushrooms contain vitamin B and powerful antioxidants such as selenium. It helps to support the immune system and prevent damage to cells and tissues.

Furthermore, vegan pulled pork is also good for the environment. 

The amount of raw waste created by the average pig factory is comparable to the waste generated by a small town of around 12,000 people. Now multiply this with the vast number of pig factories on our planet, and you can imagine the cumulative impact on the environment.

Natural foods like jackfruit and mushrooms don’t have this problem. So, not only is the mouth-watering delights good for your belly, but it is also good for the environment. 

Now let’s dive into the recipes.

Vegan Cubano Sandwich

You can’t really go wrong with a juicy, fresh sandwich. 

If you’re a vegan craving for a Cubano, then we’ve got just the thing for you!

Let’s dive into the recipe!

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 10 mins
Serves: 2

Ingredients:

1. 3/4 cup BBQ Sauce 
2. 1 tbsp Mustard Sauce
3. 2/3 cup Water
4. 2 cans Jackfruit
5. 4 Buns
6. Coleslaw cabbage (Optional, but recommended)
7. Mayonnaise, cheese, lettuce, onions or any other toppings of your choice 

Instructions:

1. Strain the canned jackfruit and rinse it well
2. Shred the jackfruit by tearing it apart into lean threads with a fork and knife
3. Add the BBQ sauce in a pan and let it heat at medium-low heat.
4. Add the shredded jackfruit in the pan and stir it till the moisture is out, for approximately 10-15 minutes.

Fillings and serving:

1. Roast the buns in oil for a few seconds (optional)
2. Add the cooked jackfruit on one bun
3. Add the mustard, cheese, coleslaw cabbage and your choice of toppings
4. Place the other bun on top.
5. Enjoy!

Be sure to devour this sandwich while it’s hot and toasty, or it won’t taste as good.

The vegan Cubano is a great sandwich, but it doesn’t beat the original, in my opinion. But hey – being a responsible vegan needs some sacrifice, right?

Vegan BBQ Pulled Pork Tortilla

Want to have a porky ‘Fiesta’? We have just the recipe for our vegan amigos!

Preparation time: 25 mins
Cooking time: 20 mins
Serves: 2

Ingredients:

1. 2 cans Jackfruit
2. 1 Chopped onion 
3. 1 Jalapeno (finely chopped and seeded)
4. 1 tbsp Paprika
5. 2 Minced Garlic clove 
6. 1/2 tbsp Salt 
7. 3/4 cup BBQ sauce for cooking and additional for topping
8. 1 tbsp dried oregano
9. 4 Tortillas
10.  2 tbsp Olive Oil
11.  Guacamole, cheese, cilantro, salsa, lettuce, bell peppers or any other toppings of your choice 

Instructions:

1. Strain the canned jackfruit and rinse it thoroughly to ensure there is no stickiness.
2. Shred the jackfruit by tearing it apart into thin threads with a fork and a knife.
3. Place the shredded jackfruit in a bowl and marinate it with olive oil and the seasonings. Keep it aside for at least 20 minutes.
4. Take a pan and put it on the heat. Add the onions and cook them for about 5 minutes. Then add the garlic and jalapeno and cook for an additional 2 minutes. 
5. Add the marinated jackfruit and cook till the texture is crisp and turns into a brownish color.
6. Pour the BBQ sauce in the pan and stir on low heat till you get your desired texture.

Fillings and serving:

1. Place the vegan BBQ pulled pork between tortillas
2. Add the toppings of your choice
3. Serve it with BBQ sauce
4. Enjoy!

 This recipe exceeded my expectations. I never knew vegan tortillas could be so tasty!

You can store any leftover vegan pork in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Vegan BBQ Mushroom Sandwich

Another day, another sandwich!

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 10 mins
Serves: 2

Ingredients:

1. 3/4 cup BBQ Sauce
2. 1 finely chopped onion
3. 2/3 cup water
4. 2 cups mixed mushrooms (Oyster, Portobello and Shiitake)
5. 4 Buns
6. Coleslaw cabbage (optional, but recommended)
7. Green onions, cilantro, salsa, lettuce, bell peppers for toppings

Instructions:

1. Take a pan and put it on the heat. Add the onions and mushrooms. Ensure the water is drained out of the mushroom
2. Cook till the mushrooms begin to crisp, and the onions start caramelizing
3. Pour the BBQ sauce in the pan and stir all the ingredients on low heat till you get your desired texture
4. Shred the mushrooms by tearing it apart into thin strips with a fork and knife.

Fillings and serving:

1. Toast the buns (optional).
2. Add the shredded mushroom on one bun.
3. Add the coleslaw cabbage on top. 
4. Add Mayonnaise, salsa, bell pepper, green onion, cilantro, or any other topping of your choice.
5. Place the other bun on top.
6.  Enjoy!

This sandwich must be enjoyed hot and crispy!

Vegan pulled pork is very close to the real deal in terms of appearance and texture. However, the taste does differ for true pork-lovers.

Hungry For More Recipes? 

Vegan pulled pork pairs well with anything that goes with regular pulled pork. You can serve it with salads, baked beans, fries, or any side of your preference!

So, what are you waiting for? Grab your apron and cook yourself some Vegan Pulled Pork! If you want more such BBQ and Vegan Recipes, hit the bell icon at the bottom left-hand corner of the screen to stay tuned to BBQanswers.com!