Recipe: Maple Bourbon BBQ Jackfruit

As we head towards Labor Day and get ready to fire up the grill on last time for the summer, we think about recipes that will keep the lazy days of summer lingering just a little bit longer.  This recipe for BBQ jackfruit is all of that.  It's smoke like an outdoor barbecue, but it's made indoors on the stove top, so it's very versatile.  I enjoy serving it in Vietnamese bahn mi along with a crunchy cole slaw.

From start to finish it takes about 30 minutes to make. You can watch how simple it is to prepare on the video link below.

Making BBQ Jackfruit on WWLP TV's Mass Appeal

Feel free to modify the heat level to your taste.  I use Sriracha in the BBQ sauce, but you can add cayenne pepper, Habanero, or even some ghost chilis if you're daring.  Substitute molasses for the maple syrup if you want a richer sweetness, or even try seasonal fruit like peaches pureed into the mix.

It's a versatile BBQ sauce which you'll also love on baked tofu, grilled portobello mushrooms, or stewed in a pot with chickpeas.  If you can't find canned young jackfruit, you can substitute sautéed eggplant and shiitake mushroom.

BBQ Sauce

7 oz. tomato paste
1/2 cup water
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp paprika
2 Tbl Dijon mustard
1 Tbl bourbon
2 Tbl tamari
2 Tbl maple syrup
3 Tbl apple cider vinegar
1 tsp Sriracha
1/2 tsp liquid smoke
1/4 tsp sea salt

Stir all ingredients together in a bowl until smooth, adding water as necessary to achieve pourable consistency.

Jackfruit with BBQ Seasoning
(serves 2-4)

20 oz. can of jackfruit in brine
1 Tbl Sucanat
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp black pepper
1-2 Tbl olive oil
1 cup onion, sliced into half moons
1 clove garlic, minced

In a large bowl, mix together Sucanat, paprika, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper. then set aside. Drain jackfruit, remove any seeds, and mix with seasonings in the bowl. In a large pot or skillet set on medium heat, heat oil and sauté onion for several minutes until soft. Add garlic and jackfruit and sauté several minutes. Add about 3/4 cup of the BBQ sauce and 1/4 cup water and stir together with jackfruit mixture. Cover pot, bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer 15-20 minutes. Stir mixture every 5-10 minutes to prevent sticking and cook until jackfruit has softened and easily pulls apart. Turn up heat to medium high at the end to reduce sauce and concentrate flavors while stirring constantly. Serve with veggie slaw.