Pulled Jackfruit Bao Buns

Jackfruit is a large, tropical fruit native to South Asia, known for its unique texture and versatility in cooking. When ripe, it has a sweet, fruity flavour, but when used young and green (in this case, canned), its neutral taste and meaty texture make it an excellent plant-based substitute for pulled pork or chicken.

In this recipe, the jackfruit absorbs the flavours of the sauces and spices beautifully, creating a delicious, tender filling for our bao buns. Its fibrous, shredded consistency mimics pulled meat, making this a great choice for vegan and vegetarian dishes.

The tender jackfruit, cooked in a savoury mix of teriyaki and soy sauce with a hint of spice, makes a fantastic filling for soft, fluffy bao buns.

Topped with fresh cucumber, spring onions, and a touch of heat from red chilli, these buns are as refreshing as they are satisfying. Add some crunchy peanuts and a bit of kimchi for an extra kick. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a fun weekend project, these bao buns bring a taste of modern Asian-inspired cuisine to your home kitchen!

Servings: 4
Difficulty: Easy

For the jackfruit

2 tbsp garlic oil
1 red onion (peeled and chopped)
2 tins jack fruit (drained)
1 tbsp ginger paste
1 tbsp garlic paste
2 tbsp teriyaki sauce
1 tbsp dark soy sauce
1 tbsp rice vinegar
2 tsp brown sugar
1 tsp Chinese 5 spice

To serve

8 bao buns (shop bought)
½ cucumber (cut into matchsticks)
Spring onions (sliced)
Red chilli (sliced)
Kimchi
Fresh coriander
Handful of roasted peanuts (chopped)

Directions

Heat the oil in a pot and cook the onion until soft (around 10 minutes).
Add the ginger and the garlic paste, cook for 2 minutes, then add the Chinese 5 spice. Give everything a good stir.
Next add the teriyaki, soy, rice vinegar, sugar and 200ml of water.
Add the jack fruit then pop on a lid and Leave to simmer for around 30 minutes, making sure to give everything a stir every 5 or 10 minutes.
Take the lid off and cook for another 10 minutes at the end to reduce the mixture.
With a fork, shred the jackfruit. Check the seasoning and add more soy if needed for taste.
Heat the bao buns according to packet instructions, then fill each bun with the pulled jackfruit. Top with cucumber, spring onions, red chilli and some kimchi. Sprinkle over coriander and peanuts.