Instant Pot Pineapple BBQ Jackfruit
Instant Pot Pineapple BBQ Jackfruit is a meatless BBQ alternative made quickly in the pressure cooker with a sweet and tangy low sugar BBQ sauce.
If you are looking for a tasty plant based dinner that is easy to prepare, high in nutrients and low in sugar this Instant Pot Pineapple BBQ Jackfruit is for you! It only takes 10 minutes under pressure in the Instant Pot vs. all day in the slow cooker. It’s made with a homemade pineapple bbq sauce that is low in sugar and has the perfect sweet and tangy flavor!
What is Jackfruit and is it good for you?
Jackfruit is large fruit with a green skin. It’s “meat” can be eaten raw or cooked. Because of it’s dense, fibrous texture Jackfruit is a good meat alternative. When pressure or slow cooked it mimics pulled pork in texture and it’s ability to absorb flavor. However, it is not high enough in protein to be a true meat substitute. Despite that, Jackfruit is low in calories and rich in vitamin C, antioxidants and fiber, so it has many health benefits.
What type of Jackfruit should I use?
You can find whole jackfruits in many grocery stores when they are in season, but for the ease of preparation and for the purposes of this recipe we use canned jackfruit. You can find it in brine or water, either will work. I like the Green Jackfruit from Trader Joe’s, and a 20oz can is reasonably priced at $1.99. Most other grocery stores carry it in other brands that will also work for this recipe.
Serving Ideas Instant Pot Pineapple BBQ Jackfruit
Since I was aiming the make this recipe really clean and healthy I choose to serve it on top of cauliflower rice (I used frozen and prepared it according to the microwave instructions and then tossed it with olive oil, salt and pepper), I also topped it with some pickled red onions, avocado slices and fresh cilantro.
Other ideas for serving:
over brown or white rice
over black or white beans
on a bun or roll
Other topping ideas:
sour cream
guacamole
shredded cheese
Want to make this vegetarian recipe vegan?
Technically this recipe is not vegan because it uses honey, you could substitute the honey with brown, white or coconut sugar to make it vegan.
Instant Pot Pineapple BBQ Jackfruit
Description
Instant Pot Pineapple BBQ Jackfruit is a meatless BBQ alternative made quickly in the pressure cooker with a sweet and tangy low sugar BBQ sauce.
Ingredients
2 tbsp olive oil
1 cup pineapple, cored and chopped small
4 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tbsp honey
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 cup pineapple juice
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 20oz cans jackfruit, drained
2 tbsp cornstarch
1/4 cup cold water
Instructions
Turn Instant Pot on to “Sauté” mode high
Add the olive oil and allow it to heat for 1-2 minutes
Add the pineapple
Working with a wooden spoon, sauté the pineapple for 4-5 minutes, it will turn darker and reduce slightly
Add in the garlic and honey, sauté 2-3 more minutes
Add the tomato paste, mix to fully combine
Pour in the pineapple juice, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce and apple cider vinegar, whisk to combine
Add ground ginger, onion powder and salt, whisk
Bring bbq sauce mixture to a rolling boil
Hit cancel on the Instant Pot
Add in the jackfruit, mix to coat with bbq sauce
Set Instant Pot to “Pressure Cook” high
Lock the top on the Instant Pot and set the pressure release value to “sealing”
Set the timer on the Instant Pot for 10 minutes, it will beep, come to pressure and then the time will start counting down from 10
Once it is done cooking it will beep again
At this point you can either switch the release value to “venting” and fast release the pressure* or you can wait for it to natural release
Once it is safe to do so, remove the lid
Using a slotted spoon, remove the jackfruit and set it on a cutting board
In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch with the cold water
Pour that mixture into the instant pot and whisk it into the bbq sauce to thicken
While the bbq sauce is thickening, shred the jackfruit** with a fork or knife
Once the jackfruit is shredded add it back to the pot and mix to coat completely with the bbq sauce
Serve warm
Notes
*steam comes out hot and fast, I usually cover the value with a dish towel so it’s not spraying on my ceiling
**it will be very soft and easy to shred, I find a fork works best
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Vegetarian
Keywords: #instantpotbbq, #instantpotrecipes, #jackfruitrecipes, #jackfruitbbq, #lowsugarbbqsauce, #jackfruit, #instantpotjackfruit
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If you make this Instant Pot Pineapple Jackfruit BBQ, let me know how you like it! Leave a comment here and/or give it a star rating! If you snap a photo I’d love to see it – share it over on Instagram and tag me @sprinklesandseasalt!
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Looking for more Instant Pot Recipes? Check these out!
Quick Instant Pot Pork Belly Ramen for Two
Easy Instant Pot French Onion Soup
30 Minute Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs