Vegan Charsiew (Chinese BBQ Pork)

Experience the irresistible flavors of Vegan Charsiew (Chinese BBQ Pork), a plant-based twist on a beloved Chinese classic! This recipe transforms young green jackfruit into tender, smoky, and sweet pieces coated in a rich, sticky glaze that perfectly replicates the essence of traditional charsiew. Infused with bold flavors from soy sauce, hoisin sauce, five-spice powder, and a hint of smoky paprika, every bite is a tantalizing journey of umami goodness. Simple to prepare in just under an hour, this dish is oven-roasted to perfection, giving it a slightly caramelized edge that enhances its texture and flavor. Perfect as a topping for steamed rice, noodles, or stuffed into fluffy bao buns, this vegan barbecue pork alternative will delight both plant-based eaters and meat-lovers alike!

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 560 grams Young green jackfruit (in water or brine, not syrup)
• 3 tablespoons Soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons Maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons Hoison sauce
• 1 tablespoon Rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon Tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon Five-spice powder
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 2 drops Red food coloring (optional, for color)
• 1 tablespoon Cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons Water

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking dish with parchment paper.

Step 2

Drain and rinse the jackfruit, then pat it dry with a clean kitchen towel. Using your hands or a fork, break the jackfruit into pieces that resemble pulled pork.

Step 3

In a mixing bowl, combine the soy sauce, maple syrup, hoison sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, tomato paste, five-spice powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and red food coloring (if using). Stir well to form a marinade.

Step 4

Add the jackfruit to the marinade, ensuring it is well coated. Let it marinate for at least 10 minutes to absorb the flavors.

Step 5

Spread the marinated jackfruit evenly in the prepared baking dish.

Step 6

Roast in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even cooking.

Step 7

In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with water to create a slurry. Add this to the roasted jackfruit, stirring to thicken the sauce a bit.

Step 8

Return the dish to the oven and roast for an additional 10 minutes, allowing the sauce to caramelize slightly.

Step 9

Serve the vegan charsiew hot over rice or noodles, or use it as a filling for steamed buns for a fun twist on the traditional recipe.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(760.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	500.8

Total Fat 16.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 2.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.9g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 4169.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 81.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 12.7g	0%
Total Sugars 42.9g
Protein 12.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 210.1mg	0%
Iron 5.3mg	0%
Potassium 2209.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 28.0%

Protein: 9.8%

Carbs: 62.2%