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Best Vegan Ribs

Smoky, tender, and unbelievably satisfying, these vegan ribs are made with jackfruit and wheat gluten, grilled for perfect char and baked in layers of BBQ sauce. A total showstopper for cookouts or weeknight dinners.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Appetizer, Dinner, Main
Cuisine American, Barbecue, Vegan
Servings 4 servings
Calories 444 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 20 oz canned green jackfruit (packed in water not syrup)
  • 1 ¼ cups vital wheat gluten (plus more as needed)
  • 3 tbsp nutritional yeast
  • 1 tbsp sweet smoked paprika
  • 1 tbsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp mustard powder
  • 1/2 tsp red chili flakes (or to taste)
  • 4 cloves garlic (grated)
  • 3/4 cups water (or low sodium vegetable stock)
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce (plus more for dipping)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1/3 cup fresh chives (for garnish)
  • 1 tsp liquid smoke
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 375℉
  • Drain and rinse the jackfruit very well then boil it with the bay leaves and a pinch of sea salt for about 20 minutes until softened. Drain and mash with a potato masher or shred with a fork. Discard any tough parts.
  • In a medium bowl combine all the dry ingredients together then add the shredded jackfruit, tamari, water (or vegetable stock) and a pinch of sea salt. Mix well until a dough forms and use your hand to knead it for a good 5 minutes until the dough holds together nicely. Add a little extra sprinkling of wheat gluten if the dough seems too wet or a little more water if it feels to dry.
  • Shape the dough down into a rectangle loaf about one inch thick then slice in half crosswise.
  • Preheat a seasoned cast iron griddle over medium flame. Grill the ribs for about 3 minutes on each side until nice grill marks form.
  • Meanwhile line a 5 x1 0 rectangle shaped baking dish with parchment paper. Spread a thin layer of barbecue sauce over the bottom and place the grilled ribs on top. Spread the top with a thin layer of barbecue sauce and cover the pan with aluminum foil (or a lid) and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
  • Use a pair of kitchen tongues and carefully flip the ribs. Brush with more barbecue sauce on top and bake uncovered for another 20 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven and allow to set for a few minutes. Using a sharp serrated knife to cut the ribs alongside the grill marks and serve on a bed of mashed potatoes with extra sauce and garnished with the fresh chives.

Nutrition

Calories: 444kcalCarbohydrates: 76gProtein: 35gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0.2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.3gSodium: 1820mgPotassium: 579mgFiber: 5gSugar: 24gVitamin A: 1248IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 166mgIron: 4mg

Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on ingredients and preparation.