
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.
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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.

