These vegan jackfruit recipes are great for making BBQ, pulled pork, tacos, curry and more easy and healthy dinners. The perfect meat substitute!
What is jackfruit?
Jackfruit is a tropical fruit that (when harvested underripe) can be used as a vegan meat alternative in dishes like pulled “pork” and fishless “tuna”.
It grows in Southeast Asia and has an oblong shape and a green, spiky exterior. It can weigh 20-50 pounds when harvested.
Jackfruit Recipes
Browse this list for tasty meals made from, canned, fresh, green, young and other types of jackfruit. I guarantee your family will absolutely love any dish you choose. Enjoy!
Find more tasty “meaty” vegan recipes in our tempeh recipes, seitan recipes, silken tofu recipes, TVP recipes, and tofu recipes roundups.
1. Jackfruit Tacos
You won’t regret investing time into this smoky, spicy meal. Best made a day in advance, a potent mix of spices transforms young jackfruit into the perfect taco stuffer.
2. Jackfruit “Chicken” Drumsticks
Whip up some of these playful jackfruit “chicken” drumsticks next time you’re looking for a filling evening meal. They’re sure to be a hit with the kids.
3. Jackfruit Pulled Pork BBQ Sandwiches with Coleslaw (Slow Cooker)
It’s a recipe for a lazy day — prep time is only 10 minutes. The jackfruit will simmer slowly in your crock pot for four hours and deliver you a smoky, spicy surprise perfect for sandwiches.
4. Jackfruit Seitan “Ribs”
This dish pairs jackfruit with seitan to create a “jacked-up” version of vegan seitan ribs. The rich BBQ flavor is sure to delight — plus, these ribs are fat-free!
5. Jackfruit Taco Bowl
If you’re looking for a taco without a taco shell, try this deconstructed taco bowl — starring jackfruit in a Tex-Mex inspired marinade.
6. Jackfruit “Tuna” Salad
Craving tuna salad? Make it tonight! This recipe substitutes shredded jackfruit for canned tuna and combines Dijon mustard with almond yogurt for a creamy finish.
7. Hawaiian Jackfruit Pineapple Kebabs
For a bit of Hawaiian flair, skewer up a winning combo of jackfruit, pineapple, and colorful peppers. Delish!
8. “Chicken” Noodle Soup
In the heart of winter, or if you’re feeling under the weather, you’ll want some of this “chicken” noodle soup. It’s vegan and gluten-free, but backed with all the traditional flavors you know and love.
9. Grilled Stuffed Poblano Peppers
Transport your dinner table to Mexico with these stuffed poblano peppers that’ll have your mouth popping for more.
10. Teriyaki Jackfruit Bowl
This dish combines jackfruit with a sumptuous teriyaki glaze to create stunning Asian flavors. The sauce is a real winner!
11. Jackfruit Carnitas
Another take on traditional taco fillings, this one has you whipping up some jackfruit “carnitas” for your next taco extravaganza.
12. Fried “Chicken” Jackfruit
You’ll want to snack all day on these tender “chicken” morsels. The batter crisps up beautifully in hot oil to give you the crunch you’re looking for. Try them with vegan honey mustard for a real treat!
13. Mu Shu Jackfruit Lettuce Wraps
Time for a trip to China. This play on the mu shu lettace wrap showcases jackfruit, center show, with a sweet-and-salty finish that’s lighter and fresher than the mu shu you know.
14. Jackfruit Blanquette
This stew, a vegan take on the French blanquette, is comfort food at its finest. It’s chock-full of classic aromatics and hearty vegetables. Cashews lend true creaminess to the final product.
15. Bao Buns with Pulled Jackfruit
Here’s another Chinese favorite, the cha siu bao bun, vamped up with jackfruit. It’s sweet, salty, and delicious.
16. Jackfruit Chili (Slow cooker)
You can prep this dish in fifteen minutes… and let your slow cooker do the rest of the work. The final product is hearty, comforting, and flavorful — a perfect dinner.
17. Jackfruit Taquitos
These taquitos and crispy, crunchy, and spicy. You’ll love them. The southwest-inspired dipping sauce, though, is the real star of this dish. Try it tonight!
18. Vegan Jackfruit Crab Cakes
This take on the classic crab cake will amaze you. It’s crisp on the outside, moist on the inside, just like every good crab cake ever.
19. Jackfruit Tortilla Soup
Flavor this soup as you like it. Add a jalapeno for spice, some lime juice for sour, and some cashew cream for a rich finish — and it’s ready to serve!
20. BBQ Jackfruit Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese
This BBQ mac and cheese, pairing a rich, creamy sweet potato sauce and pulled jackfruit, is realer than the real thing. It’ll have you licking your lips for more.
21. Carnitas Enchiladas
These quick enchiladas, featuring jackfruit carnitas, will quickly become a family favorite! Make them with homemade or store-bought enchilada sauce, at your convenience.
22. Jackfruit “Chicken” Quinoa Bowls
For a much more wholesome version of chicken and rice, have jackfruit “chicken” and quinoa for dinner tonight. The buttery, tender, melt-in-your-mouth jackfruit won’t disappoint.
23. BBQ Jackfruit Pizza
This thin crust pizza, topped with BBQ jackfruit, pineapple, green pepper, shaved red onion, and black olives, preps in 10 minutes and bakes in just a half hour. Get in on the table tonight.
24. Jackfruit Curry
If it’s cold outside and you’re looking for something hot and comfortable, try this jackfruit curry. It’s got fresh aromatics (onion, ginger, garlic, jalapeno) for flavor and spice and coconut cream for a rich, creamy finish.
25. Deep Fried Jackfruit
26. Pulled Jackfruit Gyros
27. Jackfruit Melt with Pesto
28. Jackfruit Chickpea Nuggets
29. Jackfruit “Chicken” Salad Sandwich
30. Vegan “Duck” Pancakes
31. Vietnamese Jackfruit Salad
What are your favorite Vegan Jackfruit Recipes?
Leave a comment below!
Ingredients
- 1 can young green jackfruit
- 4 tbsp bbq sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked salt
Instructions
- Choose your favorite meal from the list.
- Click on the name to get to the recipe.
- Enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
Jackfruit FAQ
Yes, jackfruit is good for vegans. While not as high in protein as other meat alternatives like soy and seitan, jackfruit is rich in heart-healthy vitamins and minerals like potassium, calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin C, and low in fat. You can also boil and eat jackfruit pits.
Yes, you can eat raw jackfruit, especially as a sweet fruit when ripe, but cooking underripe jackfruit prior to using it will soften it and improve the taste and texture and make it easier to shred for savory dishes.
Yes, you’ll want to rinse the exterior of the jackfruit prior to cutting it. Jackfruit also has a white, sticky sap when cut, so you’ll want to keep your food preparation surface clean and rinse off any sap that ends up on the fruit.
There are two types of canned jackfruit: ripe jackfruit packed in water or syrup, and underripe jackfruit packed in water and salt. Both types are ready to eat from the can, but underripe jackfruit tastes best when seasoned and cooked.
WOW. Never knew jackfruit is so versatile..
It really is.
All the “Jackfruit” recipes looks delicious, I’m looking forward to making them all.
They do, don’t they? 🙂
I’m in the beginning of this diet
Hi Marian!
I wish you good health and a lot of happinesss on your vegan journey! Hope you’ll like the recipes. 🙂
Great compilation of recipes! I’ve added a few to my “want to try folder” and I’m looking forward to doing so!
Samezies sugar