Easy Jackfruit Recipes That Will Impress Vegans And Meat Lovers (2024)

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Easy Jackfruit Recipes

20 mouth watering jackfruit recipes that will be loved by vegan food lovers! These plant based recipes may look like meat and taste like meat, but don’t be fooled!

What Is Jackfruit

Jackfruit, a tropical fruit native to Asia resembles pulled pork.

Its becoming one of the most popular meat substitutes for vegetarians and vegans BUT also loved by meat eaters!

Popular Meals With Jack Fruit

Veggie burgers
Salads
Vegan sandwiches
Soups
Pizza
Spring rolls
Carb cakes
Nachos
Tacos
Chili
Burritos
Enchiladas
Stuffed sweet potatoes

What Does Jackfruit Taste Like

The taste is rather sweet, and some say the flavour is similar to pulled pork, especially when cooked.

What Does Jackfruit Smell Like

It has a distinctive, musky smell to it.

How Do You Know When A Jackfruit Is Ripe

Jackfruits are typically sold immature, and unripe. The appearance is green and firm.

As the fruit ripens, dark patches and the colour yellow emerge, along with a very strong fruity smell.

How To Achieve A Ripe Jackfruit

Jackfruit willstart toripen within less than a week. Simply place it on a fruit tray. To ripe it does not need to be refrigerated.

Once ripe, place cut fruit in an airtight container. Refrigerateup to 7 days or freeze for up to 2 months.

How To Cut Jackfruit & Prepare It To Be Cooked

Wear disposable gloves, an apron or smock as it can stain your clothing.

Using liquid coconut oil rub a little oil on your large knife or machete and cut off the top and bottom of the fruit.

Stand it up on its base like a pineapple, and cut off strips of the prickly skin, slicing from top to bottom, applying oil to the knife after each cut.

Remove the yellow fruit pods and seeds from the skin and core.

Easy Jackfruit Recipes That Will Impress Vegans And Meat Lovers (1)

How Do You Cook Frozen Jackfruit

Thaw out the fruit. Make sure all seeds and coverings are removed. Use only the “meat” or central portions of the jackfruit.

Can Fresh Jackfruit Be Frozen

Yes. Frozen jackfruit will keep safe indefinitely in the freezer.

Canned Jackfruit

If you do not want to cut the fresh fruit or live in an area that you can not access it. the other option is to purchase tinned jackfruit.

To prep the jackfruit, drain the brine from the can and use two forks to pull apart the jackfruit pieces.

How To Cook Jackfruit

Using a large skillet, instant pot, crockpot, slow cooker, roasting pan or BBQ follow the instructions for the applicable recipe below.

How To Eat Jackfruit

It can be eaten raw or used in desserts such as ice cream or pudding.

However, unripe green jackfruit texture is very similar to chicken or pulled pork, as such its texture is suitable for curries, tacos or jackfruit carnitas.

The seeds, which hold most of the fruit’s protein, can be peeled and boiled like your standard legume.

In Southeast Asia, the seeds are dried and ground into curry, juice, smoothies, chips, ice cream and flour!

Jackfruit Health Benefits

Improves digestion
Enhances vision
Prevents aging
Builds muscles
Improves immunity
Prevents cancer
Replenishes energy
Strengthens bones
Improves blood quality
Treats skin disease
Better cardiovascular health
Ensures a high functioning thyroid
Prevents and/or controls Asthma

It’s rich in protein, potassium, magnesium, vitamin B, and vitamin C.

Jackfruit Nutrition

1/2 cup represents:

Calories: 94
Fat: 0.3 mg
Dietary fiber: 2 g
Protein: 1 g
Potassium: 303 mg
Calcium: 34 mg
Carbohydrate: 24 g
Folate: 14 mcg
Iron: 0.6 mg

Source: Practo

Where To Buy Jackfruit

It’s mostly sold in specialty shops, like Asian markets and natural food stores, which also carry them canned in brine. It’s also available at a grocery store such as Trader’s Joe, Walmart or Whole Foods.

Healthy Jackfruit Recipes

20 simple recipes below include Asian, Indian, Chinese, Thai, Korean and Mexican cuisines!

Scroll down to the end of the article to access all recipes!

Meal Type

Vegan
Vegetarian
Low carb
Gluten free
Keto

Scroll below and access our growing vegan resource along with the best list of delicious sandwiches today!

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6 Ingredient Pulled Jackfruit

Easy Jackfruit Recipes That Will Impress Vegans And Meat Lovers (2)

A healthy and incredibly tasty vegetarian and vegan alternative to pulled pork or chicken. Quick and easy to make. Even carnivores love it!Get the recipe.

Pulled Jackfruit Tacos

Easy Jackfruit Recipes That Will Impress Vegans And Meat Lovers (3)

These smoky and spicy tacos with red onions, chili powder have get a big thumbs up. Get the recipe.

Vegan Bao Buns Pulled Jackfruit

Easy Jackfruit Recipes That Will Impress Vegans And Meat Lovers (4)

Chinese vegan boa buns with pulled jackfruit pork. These bao buns look amazing!!!Get the recipe.

Jackfruit Burrito Bowl

Easy Jackfruit Recipes That Will Impress Vegans And Meat Lovers (5)

Delicious jackfruit burrito bowl recipe that is low carb, gluten free and vegan. Get the recipe.

Maple Buffalo Pulled Jackfruit Sandwiches

Easy Jackfruit Recipes That Will Impress Vegans And Meat Lovers (6)

Mouthwatering sandwiches with jackfruit simmered in spicy maple buffalo sauce stuffed into buns.Get the recipe.

Vegan Smoky Tahini Jackfruit Sandwich

Easy Jackfruit Recipes That Will Impress Vegans And Meat Lovers (7)

This sandwich is super unique and delicious.Get the recipe.

Vegan Pulled Mushroom Tacos

Easy Jackfruit Recipes That Will Impress Vegans And Meat Lovers (8)

Vegan Teriyaki Jackfruit Bowl

Easy Jackfruit Recipes That Will Impress Vegans And Meat Lovers (9)

Very delicious and easy to prepare.Get the recipe.

Jackfruit Nacho Supreme

Easy Jackfruit Recipes That Will Impress Vegans And Meat Lovers (10)

What makes these nachos “supreme” is a layer of spicy shredded jackfruit beneath black bean, corn salsa, sour cream, guacamole, and super creamy cashew cheese.Get the recipe.

Vegan Pulled Pork Banh Mi

Easy Jackfruit Recipes That Will Impress Vegans And Meat Lovers (11)

Together with crunchy veggies, sour pickles, fresh coriander and spicy Sriracha mayo, this lemongrass marinated and baked jackfruit makes for a really special sandwich.Get the recipe.

Jackfruit Taquitos With Southwest Dipping Sauce

Easy Jackfruit Recipes That Will Impress Vegans And Meat Lovers (12)

Crispy corn tortillas with a smoking jackfruit filling resembles shredded beef taquito!Get the recipe.

Jackfruit Carne Asada

Easy Jackfruit Recipes That Will Impress Vegans And Meat Lovers (13)

This easy and flavourful jackfruit carne asada will make even the strictest carnivore giddy with delight.Get the recipe.

Vegan Southern BBQ Jackfruit Spring Rolls

Easy Jackfruit Recipes That Will Impress Vegans And Meat Lovers (14)

These crispy vegan Southern BBQ jackfruit spring rolls are filled with BBQ pulled jackfruit and coleslaw, dipped in either vegan ranch or more BBQ sauce!Get the recipe.

Vegan Duck Pancakes

Easy Jackfruit Recipes That Will Impress Vegans And Meat Lovers (15)

If you love the meat version of this popular Chinese dish you will love this vegan version.Get the recipe.

Jackfruit Vietnamese Summer Rolls With Hoisin Peanut Sauce

Easy Jackfruit Recipes That Will Impress Vegans And Meat Lovers (16)

Traditional Vietnamese summer rolls with rice noodles, carrots, cucumbers, butter lettuce, cilantro, chives and jackfruit.Get the recipe.

Korean BBQ Jackfruit Sliders

Easy Jackfruit Recipes That Will Impress Vegans And Meat Lovers (17)

These Korean BBQ jackfruit sliders are perfect for entertaining! Your guests will love them!Get the recipe.

Vegan Gyros

Easy Jackfruit Recipes That Will Impress Vegans And Meat Lovers (18)

This is an easy,gluten-free, healthy,jackfruit fruit version of traditional gyros.

Traditional gyros, a Greek dish, is typically made of pork or chicken, wrapped in a pita, with tomato, onion, tzatziki sauce and sometimes a few potato fries too.

This recipe follows traditional gyros with jackfruit substituting for the meat.Get the recipe.

Jackfruit Burritos

Easy Jackfruit Recipes That Will Impress Vegans And Meat Lovers (19)

This burrito consist of BBQ jackfruit, peppers, onions, homemade refried beans, Mexican rice, guacamole and salsa, wrapped inside warm tortillas.Get the recipe.

Vegan Jackfruit Pulled Pork Tacos With Grilled Pineapple

Easy Jackfruit Recipes That Will Impress Vegans And Meat Lovers (20)

Jackfruit replaces pulled pork seamlessly in these spicy tacos served with grilled pineapple.Get the recipe.

Bulgogi Jackfruit Street Tacos

Easy Jackfruit Recipes That Will Impress Vegans And Meat Lovers (21)

Bulgogi jackfruit street tacos are fun and easy to make. You will be coming back for more!Get the recipe.

Want Additional Recipes?

Access our complete list ofhealthy recipes!

Easy Jackfruit Recipes That Will Impress Vegans And Meat Lovers (2024)

FAQs

Can you make jackfruit taste like meat? ›

Simply tease the raw jackfruit apart with your hands or two forks, mix with your favorite spice blend (barbecue or fajita seasonings work well), and sauté before serving in buns with slaw or in fajitas, burritos, or tamales (these are filled with jackfruit and drizzled with a bright and fresh cilantro sauce).

Tell Me More ›

Is jackfruit good for vegans? ›

Many vegan and vegetarian eaters seek out jackfruit for their dishes because of its absorbent texture, versatility, and mild taste. Jackfruit is a large tropical fruit that has a slightly sweet and fruity flavor and a meaty texture. It's often used as a replacement for meat in vegetarian or vegan dishes.

What can I do with a can of jackfruit? ›

Thanks to it's awesome stringy texture, unripe canned jackfruit is getting a lot of buzz for its use in vegan and vegetarian recipes, such as shredded BBQ tacos, sandwiches, and curries. In these kinds of recipes, jackfruit is strikingly similar to pulled pork or pulled chicken.

Learn More ›

What vegan meat is made of jackfruit? ›

KARANA MAKES MEAT FROM JACKFRUIT.

We make plant-based meat using ingredients that support biodiversity, healthy soil, are good for farmers, and that can be crafted into the most delicious dishes across any cuisine.

Get More Info Here ›

Does jackfruit taste like pepperoni? ›

The taste of jackfruit is described as the flavor of apples and bananas mixed together.

How do you make jackfruit taste good? ›

Garlic and onion powder — Combined with the barbecue sauce, these make the jackfruit taste super flavorful and extra savory. Feel free to substitute in a few cloves of fresh garlic for the powder. Paprika — Adds a nice peppery flavor without too much heat.

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What food should be avoided with jackfruit? ›

Jackfruit can also be harmful if you eat it with milk or carbonated drinks. It may cause digestion and skin issues. You should avoid drinking water after the consumption of jackfruit as it can lead to diarrhoea. Jackfruit is a high water content fruit that smoothes out bowel movements.

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When not to eat jackfruit? ›

Allergy to birch pollen or latex: People who are allergic to birch pollen or latex might also be allergic to jackfruit. Surgery: Jackfruit might cause bleeding and too much drowsiness if combined with medications used during and after surgery. Stop taking jackfruit at least 2 weeks before scheduled surgery.

Keep Reading ›

How to cook jackfruit like meat? ›

How do you cook with it? You can easily separate the flesh of unripe jackfruit with your fingers or shred it with two forks. Then add your seasoning and sauces before sautéing or simmering until it softens. Jackfruit is a great addition to curries as it takes on the flavour of the sauce as it bubbles away.

Find Out More ›

Why is jackfruit so expensive? ›

On the other hand, lower market competition provides sellers and buyers with more options and increased bargaining power, leading to higher jackfruit prices. The price of jackfruit is largely influenced by transportation costs, a factor particularly relevant due to the large and heavy nature of the fruit.

Should I boil jackfruit before cooking? ›

Once you have prepared the fresh jackfruit, you can use it in a variety of recipes. However, before cooking with it in a recipe, you may like to boil the fresh unripe jackfruit for around 45 minutes to ensure it becomes tender in the final dish.

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Is jackfruit gut friendly? ›

It's this gut-friendly fibre content along-with vitamin C and beta-carotene that suggests jackfruit may be useful for supporting immune health and potentially reduce the risk of viral infection. In addition to this, a compound found in the seed of the fruit appears to activate key immune cells, called neutrophils.

Is jackfruit a vegetable yes or no? ›

Originally Answered: Is Jackfruit a vegetable or a fruit? Jackfruit is actually a fruit. It is the largest tree-borne fruit in the world, and it is native to South and Southeast Asia.

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Does jackfruit taste like pulled pork? ›

Does jackfruit taste like pulled pork? Young jackfruit has a meaty texture and soaks up flavor like a sponge. Once it's cooked, it takes on all of the savory, smoky flavors the BBQ sauce has to offer! It tastes a lot like pulled pork!

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How to prepare canned jackfruit like meat? ›

Take canned unripe jackfruit in water or brine. Drain the liquid. If you've opted for the version in brine, give the chunks a good rinse under the tap as it can have an unpleasant taste. Then, pull the chunks apart with your fingers, to give the jackfruit a shredded texture like pulled pork, chicken or beef.

Get More Info Here ›

How to make meat from jack fruit? ›

To prepare young green jackfruit, slice it into thin pieces, then cook it for a bit to soften it. Once it is softened you can mash it with a potato masher to get a shredded meat texture. Season with any spices, sauces, or flavor you like!

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Does jackfruit actually taste like chicken? ›

Jackfruit has a mildly sweet flavor to it, and can be used in place of meats in a variety of recipes. The jackfruit will cook down into what resembles shredded chicken or pork, and when sautéed with BBQ sauce and put in a sandwich or wrap, it will have the same texture and is very satisfying.