By now we’re all aware that jackfruit is an excellent vegan substitute thanks to its uncanny similarity to pulled pork. Sure, it may not have as much protein as its meaty counterpart, but the texture is spot on. Though there’s no denying this is an excellent way to put the fruit to use, it can get boring if that’s all you do with it. But because it is such a new thing to us here in the Western world, it’s not automatically clear how to eat jackfruit.
Where does jackfruit come from?
To start, take a look at the local cuisine where the fruit originates for inspiration. Traditionally, jackfruit is produced and eaten all over Southeast Asia, and cooked into everything from savory gaeng kanoon, a jackfruit soup from Thailand, to sweet chakka pradhaman, a jackfruit pudding from South India.
As jackfruit has grown in popularity all over the world, so have the ways that you can cook with it. There are two kinds of jackfruit commonly available: green(unripe) jackfruit, which has a relatively mild flavor and is best when used in savory recipes; and yellow (ripe) jackfruit, which is sticky and sweet and preferred for desserts.
For more basic information on how to clean and prepare it, check out our jackfruit 101.
With the spiky fruit now stateside, there’s been more experimentation than ever. Recipes like jackfruit fried “chicken” and jackfruit upside down cake add a welcome twist to the classic American treats.
These 10 recipes include a mix of the old and new, featuring options for whatever meal you’re looking for. From pancakes to pot roast, there’s sure to be something here that will catch your attention and show you just how versatile jackfruit can be.
Content Warning: We feature meal ideas based on the quality of the recipe alone. Sometimes these recipes are published on blogs dedicated to weight loss or restriction.
There’s no easier way to use up a can of green jackfruit than in a simple curry like this. As long as you have the right assortment of spices (which you can learn all about stocking up on here), it’s a snap to whip up on a moment’s notice—not to mention, a great way to use up the additional about-to-go-bad veggies in your crisper drawer. Get the recipe here.
Jackfruit pudding is sweet treat that’s traditionally made with jaggery (raw cane sugar), coconut milk, and fruit like bananas or jackfruit. You’ll need to use the sweetest jackfruit you can find to obtain the right flavor. Make sure what you’re using is right (double check to make sure the can you’re choosing is packed in syrup, rather than brine, for example!).
What makes this smoky tahini jackfruit sandwich especially interesting is the fact that you don’t have to heat it up. Jackfruit can work in a room temperature situation when you don’t have access to a fridge. This means you can take a sandwich like this packed up for lunch or on the go with you. It’s also ideal for meal prep because you can simply keep all the different components separate until you’re ready to eat! That way the whole sandwich doesn’t end up soggy.
You can make jerk jackfruit and use it like you’d incorporate jerk chicken. This portable number is another that’s great for preparing ahead of time. Feel free to even freeze a bunch in advance, just knowing that they’ll a few minutes in the microwave when you’re read to eat. No mangoes on hand? Feel free to use whatever tart fruit you do have. Pineapple would work. You want something firm and not too watery, ideally. Serve with a few lime wedges, if desired.
Want our tips for wrapping a burrito? Check out this video!
These refreshing jackfruit summer rolls are a great way to make the most of both the can of jackfruit in your pantry and the seasonal farmers’ market produce in your fridge. You can put together these rolls quickly if you have your mise en place. So take care to prepare the filling ahead of time. This makes it easy to roll one up at a moment’s notice.
This is what we’re talking about! Creative use for a fun new food! Bet you didn’t know that you can also use jackfruit in pancakes, as an egg substitute?! Jackfruit is used to create a consistency similar to eggs by blending it with cardamom and milk until it becomes a thick paste. The result? Pancakes that taste almost exactly like you know them, but this time with a light, tropical flavor.
The best part of being an adult is that you can have a piece of cake for breakfast whenever you want! This jackfruit upside down cake is sticky, sweet, and uber-moist. It will hold up well for more than a week. Which means that if you make one and pack it up tightly, you’re good to go on dessert (and breakfast) for quite awhile.
Ok, so it’s not really fried chicken. But the look and the crunch might convince you otherwise! The secret to makes this jackfruit fried “chicken” so tender? Like you’d do for fried chicken, this jackfruit gets soaked in a vegan buttermilk alternative made with apple cider vinegar and the nondairy milk of your choosing. Of course, if you’re not vegan, feel free to use actual buttermilk. The end result will be just a bit more decadent.
Looking for more recipes that don’t need to be reheated? These cold lunches are just what you’re looking for!
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