15 best vegan jackfruit recipes to make with canned jackfruit (2024)

Here are the best vegan jackfruit recipes to can make with canned jackfruit to help you make the most of this versatile fruit

If you’re looking for vegan jackfruit recipe ideas or vegan dinner recipes, you’ve come to the right place.

Jackfruit has become the go-to ingredient for compassionate cooks thanks to its versatile nature which means it can be transformed to replace meat in a wide range of plant-based dishes from fishless pies to pulled ‘pork’ burgers.

Most people don’t really think beyond pulled jackfruit when it comes to making jackfruit recipes, but there are so many different things you can do with it and so many creative vegan recipes to try. And the handy thing is, tinned jackfruit can be kept in the cupboard for emergencies, so it’s a real store cupboard staple.

If you’re wondering just what is jackfruit then don’t miss our guide on how to cook it.

How do you use canned jackfruit?

Those of us in the UK are unlikely to have to prepare a fresh jackfruit as it is becoming increasingly common to find tins or vacuum packs of pre-prepared, unripe jackfruit in stores.

If you’re making a savoury dish, try to find unripe jackfruit that has been canned in brine rather than syrup as the fruit will soak up the sugar from the syrup and make your savoury dishes too sweet.

Firstly, you will need to rinse the fruit well before placing it into a tea towel. Wrap the jackfruit up tightly and squeeze to remove as much excess liquid as possible. This will allow the jackfruit to take on more flavour when marinated and helps give it an even meatier texture.

Once you’ve squeezed the jackfruit, remove the hard core at the centre of each bulb. You may also find some seeds remaining in the bulbs so make sure you remove these too.

Next, place the jackfruit into a large bowl and shred the using forks to break apart the bulbs to give it a shredded texture similar to pulled pork.

How do you make jackfruit taste good?

Jackfruit does not have a strong flavour so takes on the flavours of whatever marinade you marinade or cook it with.

To ensure your jackfruit is bursting with flavour, ideally you will leave it soaking in your favourite marinade overnight. However, if you’re short on time thenmarinate it in sauce for a minimum of 15 minutes.

The longer you leave your jackfruit to marinate, the tastier it will be. Now you’ve got to grips with jackfruit, here are some delicious vegan jackfruit recipes you can make with canned jackfruit.

1. Vegan Jackfruit Duck Pancakes

This classic Chinese dish gets a vegan makeover using jackfruit to mimic the texture of duck in these vegan jackfruit duck pancakes. Serve with pancakes, cucumber, spring onion and lashings of Hoisin sauce for an authentic homemade takeaway dinner.

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2. Vegan Smoky BBQ Jackfruit Ribs

Sweet, sticky and smokey, these vegan ribs are made using a clever combination of seitan and jackfruit.

They’re surprisingly realistic and you’ll be licking your fingers to get another taste.

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Want more vegan recipes?Try 3 issuesof Vegan Food & Living magazinefor just £3!

3. Vegan Jackfruit ‘Crab Cakes’ with Tartare Sauce

Is there anything jackfruit can’t transform into? We say no! Here it is again, this time it’s masquerading as crab in these yummy crab-free cakes in this enticing jackfruit recipe.

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4. Vegan Teriyaki Jackfruit

Many jackfruit recipes featured pulled jackfruit, but here we’ve kept it in chunks so it can soak up all the delicious teriyaki sauce.

The combination of the sweet teriyaki glaze paired with the savoury fruit is a real treat. Serve it with sticky rice and fresh veggies for an easy and healthy vegan dinner.

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5. Quick Vegan Pulled BBQ Jackfruit Burger

You’ve probably heard all about the delights of pulled jackfruit, so now is your chance to try it for yourself with this easy vegan pulled BBQ jackfruit burger.

The sweetness of the jackfruit and BBQ sauce are a winning combination paired with the tangy vegan coleslaw.

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6. Vegan Curried Jackfruit Tacos with Coriander Mint Chutney

These meat-free tacos draw inspiration from Mexican and Indian cuisine with their refreshing blend of hot and herby flavours. Pairing spicy jackfruit with a cooling chutney, this delicious fusion jackfruit recipe is a must-make.

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7. Vegan Fish Pie

This ocean-friendly vegan fish pie recipe has all flavour and texture of a traditional fish pie. We’ve swapped fish for jackfruit to provide a similar flaky texture, while nori adds a fishy flavour. This a great easy jackfruit recipe when the weather gets cold.

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8. Vegan Jackfruit Tuna Mayo

Although it’s often used to replace pulled pork, jackfruit can also transform into tuna with a little seasoning. If you need an easy and healthy dinner, give this vegan jackfruit tuna mayo recipe a try.

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9.

Pulled jackfruit isn’t just great for vegan burgers, it makes a wicked tasty vegan sandwich filling too. Pair it with creamy vegan coleslaw for a tasty vegan lunch you’ll look forward to all morning.

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10. Jackfruit Vegan “Tuna” and Sweetcorn Pasta Salad

Recreate the delights of a tuna pasta salad by harnessing the power of jackfruit in this tasty vegan lunch recipe. It’s got all the elements of the classic salad, including crunchy sweetcorn, red onion and a dollop of homemade mayo that makes for an irresistible vegan tuna pasta salad.

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11. Vegan Korean Fried Jackfruit

This vegan Korean fried jackfruit is tossed in a sticky, spicy, sweet and sour Korean-style sauce made with gochujang, a fermented red chilli paste.

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12. Vegan One-Pot Curry with Jackfruit

This jackfruit curry is flavoured with a medley of health-boosting spices to pack it with flavour and nutrients. Plus, it’s great to make when you’re short on time as it’s ready in just 40 minutes!

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13.

If you’re hosting a dinner party and looking to impress then this delectable jackfruit recipe is sure to get the party started. Featuring paprika jackfruit stack atop a bed of crushed winter vegetables, it wouldn’t look out of place at a gourmet restaurant!

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14. Vegan Jackfruit BBQ Beans in a Sweet Potato Jacket with Slaw

The sweetness of the sweet potato is the perfect pairing for the tangy BBQ beans and creamy slaw in this super healthy vegan dinner. It’s a great way to use canned jackfruit as you can make the bean mixture and slaw the day before if you need to prep ahead for the next day.

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15. Vegan Jackfruit Christmas Dinner

Keep turkeys off your plate this Christmas and opt for deliciously seasoned jackfruit for your Christmas dinner instead. Not only is it cruelty-free, but it also more flavoursome and has a more appealing texture than turkey so will be a hit with vegans and meat-eaters alike!

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Feeling inspired by these vegan jackfruit recipes to try some new ways of replacing meat in your meals?

Try these tasty vegan seitan recipes.

15 best vegan jackfruit recipes to make with canned jackfruit (2024)

FAQs

Do I need to rinse canned jackfruit? ›

However, because the Heart Foundation warns people about the sodium content of canned foods, it's best that you rinse canned vegetables, including your jackfruit, prior to cooking them. Not only will your heart thank you, but whatever seasonings you add won't be competing with the salt of the brine.

How do you eat jackfruit from a tin? ›

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.

Is canned jackfruit any good? ›

Canned jackfruit pairs well with barbeque sauce, making it a great swap for chicken or pork in a sandwich. It also works well as a star ingredient in a vegetable curry or as a vegan riff on carnitas. Recipes usually call for canned jackfruit since it's more widely available.

What not to mix 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.

What does jackfruit taste good with? ›

Sandwiches: Sauté shredded green jackfruit with barbecue sauce for vegan pulled pork-style sandwiches. Tacos: Substitute shredded jackfruit for chicken in tacos. Casseroles: Use chunks in place of chicken. Sweets: Add sweet ripe jackfruit to puddings, stir into oatmeal, or puree with frozen bananas for nice cream.

Do you eat the seeds in canned jackfruit? ›

Apart from the flesh, jackfruit seeds are also edible and are used in cooked dishes. The jackfruit seeds with a thin brown seed coat, known as spermoderm, are enclosed in a white layer. The brown spermoderm consists of white cotyledon rich in protein and starch.

How do 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).

What part of the jackfruit do you not eat? ›

How to Cook Jackfruit Seeds. The seeds are also edible—simply boil them for 20 to 30 minutes first (or fry them) and eat them like a nut or potato. The white strands are technically edible but not very tasty, so we recommend discarding them.

Why does my jackfruit taste sour? ›

The taste of jackfruit can vary depending on its ripeness; a ripe jackfruit will have a sweet, tropical flavor, while an unripe jackfruit will have a milder, slightly sour taste.

Is canned jackfruit better than fresh? ›

Most stores sell vacuum-sealed, canned, or frozen jackfruit with or without seasonings. Pre-seasoned jackfruit is more convenient and may taste better, but it can also contain added sugar and other fillers. If you prefer fresh, unripe jackfruit, choose a firm one with green skin. Note that its seeds are edible, too.

What is the shelf life of canned jackfruit? ›

If you are wondering about canned jackfruit, unopened it can last a year or more, depending on the expiration date on the can. Post-opening, it generally lasts about a week in the refrigerator and 2-3 months in the freezer.

Does canned jackfruit smell bad? ›

Jackfruit is also banned in some places because of its strong smell. However, the smell is not so pungent. It is said to smell like bubble gum with a combination of pineapple, bananas, and rotten onions.

What does tinned jackfruit taste like? ›

Young, unripe green jackfruit – usually found in tins - isn't sweet and has a neutral taste (if you've ever eaten a tinned artichoke heart straight from the can, it's a bit like that). This version is best cooked into a savoury recipe with plenty of spices and seasoning to pep it up.

How do you turn jackfruit into meat? ›

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.

What is jackfruit and why is it a good alternative to meat? ›

Compared to ripe jackfruit, unripe jackfruit has a stringy, meaty texture similar to that of beef or pork. This texture—along with the fruit's neutral, almost bland taste, which can accommodate the flavor of whatever it's cooked in—is a large reason why jackfruit is such a popular meat alternative.

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