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    Home » Recipes » Vegan Dinners

    Jackfruit Bao Buns

    Published: Jan 13, 2020 · Modified: Apr 14, 2020 by Kate Hackworthy · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Jump to Recipe
    pinnable image for pulled jackfruit bao buns recipe
    pinnable image for vegan pulled jackfruit bao buns recipe

    Vegan pulled Jackfruit Bao Buns are so easy to make and taste divine. This dish brings together a delectably seasoned Chinese sauce with pulled jackfruit, tangy pickled onions and soft, delicate bao buns. Ready in 30 minutes.

    vegan jackfruit bao buns with quick pickled red onions on a board in front of a glass of beer

    Recipe sponsored by St Austell Brewery.

    Jackfruit bao buns

    This dish brings together a delectably seasoned sauce with pulled jackfruit, tangy pickled onions and soft, delicate bao buns. It's a perfect vegan dinner or lunch and it only takes 30 minutes.

    Jackfruit is a great vegan meat substitute and acts like a flavour-sponge to soak up all the lovely marinade seasonings. You can get it in cans or vacuum-sealed packs in most major supermarkets.

    Vegan pulled jackfruit bao buns on a wooden board in front of a beer

    Ingredients for pulled jackfruit bao buns

    Bao Buns (you can make or buy them, or substitute burger buns)
    Canned jackfruit (available in major supermarkets and many ethnic shops)
    Onion
    Garlic
    Oil
    Chinese five-spice
    Cayenne
    Smoked paprika
    Ground cumin
    Ketchup
    Vinegar
    Soy sauce
    Marmite

    a board with bao buns full of pulled jackfruit, cabbage, pickled red onion and cucumber

    Bao Buns

    Have you had bao buns? They're light, fluffy soft buns that are the perfect vehicle for myriad fillings, like pulled jackfruit.

    The Chinese steamed buns are typically served with pork, but here they're stuffed with tasty vegan fillings.

    You can make your own bao buns, but I tend to buy them (I get them at M&S, but other supermarkets may stock them). My kids are HUGE fans and long ago declared them their favourite food.

    Feel free to use wraps or burger buns instead!

    Check out my other Vegan Street Food recipes. 

    vegan jackfruit bao buns with quick pickled red onions on a board in front of a glass of beer

    St Austell Brewery

    This tasty Jackfruit Bao Buns recipe was created by chef Jack Stein for St Austell Brewery to celebrate Veganuary and that their bottles of Tribute pale ale are vegan.

    He has developed an exclusive collection of recipes to complement and enhance the taste of St Austell Brewery's bottled beers, (all of which are all vegan).

    I love the versatility of jackfruit so I was delighted when they asked me to recreate it for you all.

    My husband grew up spending summers in Cornwall and we go there every chance we get, staying at the stunning rugged coast with a huge white sandy beach at Constantine Bay, near Padstow in North Cornwall. 

    Crossing straight down to the south coast is St Austell, famous for the nearby Eden Project (massive biospheres containing the world's largest indoor rainforest), as well as the historic 169-year-old St Austell Brewery, where you can take a tour at the visitor centre and sample at the bar. 

    Since 1851, the brewery has been creating the finest Cornish beers. 

    Today St Austell Brewery remains 100% independent and family-owned.

    Close up of a bottle of Tribute Ale.

    Tribute

    Tribute pale ale has long been a favourite throughout South West England and is one of the fastest-growing premium cask ale brands in the rest of the UK.

    Customers and publicans alike love Tribute. It's light, hoppy, zesty, easy to drink and consistently delicious. The zesty orange and grapefruit flavours are balanced with biscuit malt for this superb classic. - St Austell Brewery

    Jack Stein, son of famous TV chef Rick and now chef, cookbook writer and heir apparent to the Stein foodie empire, has developed this pulled jackfruit bao buns recipe to pair perfectly with a cold glass of Tribute. The zesty orange and grapefruit flavours of Tribute perfectly balance the slightly spicy notes of the jackfruit.

    Available in supermarkets nationwide and suitable for vegans. Find out more at St Austell Brewery.

    Please drink responsibly.

    Close up of a dish of pulled jackfruit

    How to make vegan pulled jackfruit

    It's really easy to make vegan pulled jackfruit. Just follow these simple steps for perfect results!

    step by step photos for how to make pulled jackfruit

    1. Sautee the onion and garlic until soft. 
    2. Add the ketchup, vinegar and spices.
    3. Drain the jackfruit and add to the pan.
    4. Simmer for 20 minutes, pulling the jackfruit apart with two forks. 
    5. Stir in the soy sauce and marmite.

    Scroll down for the full ingredients list and method.

    Close up of a bao bun full of pulled jackfruit, pickled red onion, cabbage and cucumber.

    Serving Suggestions

    Try these side dishes to go with your jackfruit bao buns! 

    Cabbage salad
    Vegan cauliflower crispy 'duck'
    Mango salad

    A wooden tray with pulled jackfruit bao buns, with pickled onions on the side

    Get the Jackfruit Bao Buns recipe

    Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out for you!
    Leave a comment and star rating below and share a picture with the hashtag #veggiedesserts. I love seeing your recreations of my vegetarian and vegan recipes. Follow me on Instagram * Twitter * Facebook * Pinterest * Youtube

    vegan jackfruit bao buns with quick pickled red onions on a board in front of a glass of beer

    Jackfruit Bao Buns

    Kate Hackworthy | Veggie Desserts
    These pulled jackfruit bao buns are really easy to make in less than 30 minutes! The vegan recipe makes the most of beautifully seasoned pulled jackfruit nestled in fluffy bao buns topped with quick pickled onions.
    5 from 7 votes
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    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 25 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Dinner, Main
    Cuisine Asian, Chinese
    Servings 4
    Calories 430 kcal

    Equipment

    • Saucepans

    Ingredients
     

    • 4 vegan bao buns or use burger buns
    • 400 g jackfruit drained

    For the sauce

    • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
    • 1 onion finely diced
    • 2 cloves garlic minced
    • 1 ¼ cups (400g) tomato ketchup
    • 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar (or apple cider vinegar or white vinegar)
    • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
    • 1 teaspoon five spice
    • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
    • ½ teaspoon cayenne or more if you like it hotter
    • 2 teaspoon soy sauce
    • 1 teaspoon marmite (yeast extract, optional)

    For the Quick Pickled Onions

    • 1 red onion thinly sliced into rounds
    • 3 tablespoon white wine vinegar
    • 2 tablespoon water
    • 1 teaspoon sugar
    • 1 teaspoon salt

    Garnish

    • Cucumber rounds
    • Vegan mayonnaise
    • Red cabbage thinly sliced

    Instructions
     

    • Heat the oil in a saucepan over a medium heat, then add the onions and garlic and cook until soft - about 4 minutes.
    • Stir in the ketchup, vinegar and spices.
    • Add the drained jackfruit and simmer for 20 minutes, gradually pulling the jackfruit apart with tongs or two forks. When it's ready, stir in the marmite (if using) and soy sauce. Taste and add more cayenne if desired. Set aside.
    • Meanwhile, make the pickled onions by placing the onion, vinegar, water, sugar and salt in a pan and bring to the boil. Take off the heat and allow to cool.
    • Steam or microwave the bao buns (or slice burger buns in half and lightly char them on a grill). Fill with the pulled jackfruit, pickled onions, cucumber, cabbage and a dollop of vegan mayonnaise.
    • Enjoy with a Tribute…

    Nutrition

    Calories: 430kcalCarbohydrates: 80gProtein: 9gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 6gSodium: 1923mgPotassium: 986mgFiber: 4gSugar: 47gVitamin A: 1324IUVitamin C: 23mgCalcium: 141mgIron: 3mg

    The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.

    Tried this recipe?Mention @kateveggiedesserts or tag #veggiedesserts! I love seeing your recreations.

     

    More Vegan Dinner Recipes

    • Vegan Pad Thai
    • Red Bean Stew
    • Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
    • Mushroom Ragu
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Danielle Wolter

      February 23, 2020 at 11:37 am

      5 stars
      These are just incredible! I am typically a meat eater, but these were totally awesome and used up the can of jackfruit I had!

      Reply
    2. kim

      January 15, 2020 at 2:05 pm

      5 stars
      Love this recipe! These were so easy and delicious. I had a can of jackfruit but didn't know what to make with it. I didn't have baos so I used regular buns. Sort of like sloppy joes. So good!!

      Reply
    3. Jo

      January 13, 2020 at 2:23 pm

      5 stars
      I have only recently discovered jackfruit and absolutely love it but have never tried bao buns before. This recipe and the sauce sound amazing and will definitely be trying it out soon.

      Reply
    4. Bintu

      January 13, 2020 at 2:18 pm

      5 stars
      These look absolutely divine! I haven't done much with jackfruit in the past but I am certainly going to be making these!

      Reply
    5. Marie-Charlotte Chatelain

      January 13, 2020 at 2:01 pm

      5 stars
      This looks amazing and finally a recipe with plenty of sauce to cover the jackfruit! LOVE the sound of that sauce - and bao buns are a weakness of mine! This one will be tried for sure

      Reply

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    Popular recipes

    • The BEST Easy Red Lentil Dahl
    • Easy Naan Bread Recipe (yeast-free)
    • Mini Baked Potatoes
    • Easy Lentil Soup

    Easter Recipes

    • Easter Rice Krispie Nests
    • Italian Easter Bread (Pane di Pasqua)
    • Mushroom Wellington
    • Nut Roast

    My cookbook

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    Check out my Veggie Desserts Cookbook, full of tasty desserts with vegetables!

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