Wild Blueberry Jackfruit BBQ Sliders

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These Wild Blueberry Barbecue Jackfruit Sliders are an absolute crowd pleaser! Get into the tender jackfruit ‘pulled pork,’ generously coated in a beautiful tangy and sweet wild blueberry barbecue sauce that’s a breeze to whip up from scratch. With its mouthwatering taste and easy preparation, this slider sensation is the ultimate hit for your next summer cookout!

Makes 6 servings.

FOR THE BBQ SAUCE:

1 cup wild blueberries (fresh or frozen)
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons maple syrup or dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari (for a gluten-free option)
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
Salt and pepper to taste

FOR THE SLIDERS:

2 cans of young green jackfruit, drained and rinsed
3 tablespoons avocado oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon liquid smoke
12 slider buns
Arugula and red onion, for serving

BBQ Sauce Preparation:

  1. In a small saucepan, combine the wild blueberries, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, and smoked paprika (if using).
  2. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring to combine all the ingredients.
  3. Once it starts simmering, reduce the heat to low and let the sauce cook for about 10-15 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and to help break down the blueberries. As the sauce cooks, the blueberries will soften and release their juices, creating a thicker consistency. If you want a smoother texture, you can use the back of a spoon to mash any remaining whole blueberries.
  4. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning to your preference. Add salt and pepper as needed, then set aside.

Jackfruit Preparation:

  1. Heat avocado oil in a medium saucepan over medium high heat. Once shimmery, add the garlic and chili powder, and sauté until the garlic is fragrant, 2 minutes.
  2. Add jackfruit to the pan, followed by salt, pepper, and liquid smoke. Stir well to incorporate all of the flavors, then reduce heat to medium low and allow to simmer and cook down for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
  3. Stir in your desired amount of barbecue sauce to the jackfruit. If you like your sliders very saucy, add 1 cup! Otherwise, ½ – ¾ cup will allow the jackfruit to be lightly coated to perfection.
  4. Add a generous amount of jackfruit on each slider roll, followed by arugula and red onion slices. Enjoy immediately while hot!