Unparalleled in its ability to mimic the texture of meat, jackfruit is the plant-based "meat" you didn't know existed. From crispy fried faux chicken to comforting bowls of coconut curry, here are the best jackfruit recipes from food blogs we love.
10 Jackfruit Recipes That Will Make You Forget All About Meat
Updated May 17, 2022
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Vegetarian Bao Buns with Pulled Jackfruit Filling
Made from a simple yeast-leavened dough, these fluffy steamed bao, also known as baozi, are a vegetarian-friendly take on the popular Taiwanese street food dish. Pavani Nandula of Cook’s Hideout shreds unripe jackfruit and stews it in a savory hoisin-based sauce. Don’t forget to top things off with some grated carrot, shredded cabbage and crushed roasted peanuts before serving. This is one of the most addicting jackfruit recipes you’ll ever make!
Is your bao dough kneaded enough? Here’s a closer look at how to knead dough.
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Sri Lankan Jackfruit Curry (Polos Curry)
Not only is this Sri Lankan jackfruit recipe by Dini Kodippili of The Flavor Bender vegan, but it’s gluten-free as well. Braising the jackfruit for a couple of hours in coconut milk and aromatic spices like curry powder and cinnamon results in incredibly tender pieces of jackfruit meat. Serve this creamy curry with a side of cilantro-lime rice or roti for a hearty weeknight meal.
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Jackfruit Pot Roast
Looking for some Meatless Monday motivation? Brita Britnell of Food with Feeling recommends using jackfruit as a substitute in traditionally meat-heavy dishes like this simple pot roast. When cooked, unripe jackfruit takes on a meaty texture and acts as a flavor sponge, making it the perfect meat replacement for vegetarians.
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Slow Cooker Jackfruit Stew with Celery Root Mash
Get your slow cooker out for this addition to our roundup of jackfruit recipes! Lindsay Grimes Freedman of The Toasted Pine Nut makes jackfruit the star of the show in this nourishing stew. Mashed celery root, which is high in fiber and a great low-carb replacement for potatoes, rounds off this flavorful and easy to assemble weeknight meal.
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Chicken Fried Jackfruit
Tired of tofu? There’s no better jackfruit recipe to showcase the fruit’s incredible ability to mimic both the texture and taste of meat than this chicken-fried jackfruit recipe by I Can You Can Vegan. Don’t skip the buttermilk in this recipe—blogger Desiree Daniels says it’s the key to achieving a crispy outer skin and tender inner meat.
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Vegan Reuben Jackfruit Sandwich
The ever-versatile jackfruit serves as the best replacement for corned beef in this vegan Reuben sandwich recipe by Cadry’s Kitchen. The secret to achieving the meat’s distinctive coloring? Two tablespoons of cooked beets are all you need, says blogger Cadry Nelson. Also, here’s how to make vegan mayo from scratch.
Looking for more meat-free fillings for your sandwiches? Here are the brand names every vegetarian needs to know.
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Beer Braised Jackfruit Enchiladas
If you’re low on prep time, these succulent jackfruit enchiladas by Home-Cooked Roots is one of the best vegan jackfruit recipes out there. Thanks to the Instant Pot, the jackfruit breaks down as it pressure cooks in a flavorful beer broth, resulting in a filling meal that’s packed with spice.
Can’t find canned jackfruit at the grocery store? Blogger Nicolette Wax recommends substituting with two packs of Upton’s Naturals Chili Lime Jackfruit instead.
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Roasted Pumpkin Jackfruit Curry
Oven-roasted pumpkin, full-fat coconut milk and a slew of fragrant spices result in a satisfying pot of jackfruit curry by Full of Plants. Great for a rainy day lunch or dinner, blogger Thomas Pagot recommends pairing this jackfruit recipe with homemade naan to soak up the delicious sauce.
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Easy Vegan BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches
With BBQ season fast approaching, these vegan BBQ jackfruit sandwiches by Emilie Hebert of Emilie Eats are sure to wow guests at your next outdoor cookout. Ready in under 40 minutes, this sweet and savory shredded jackfruit recipe is so convincing, it’s sure to confuse even the staunchest carnivores in your life!
Need more BBQ-themed recipes sans meat? Here are vegetarian grilling recipes to try as the weather gets warmer.
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Whole30 BBQ Jackfruit
This Whole30-compliant dish from blogger Sarah Nevins of A Saucy Kitchen uses dates to sweeten this jackfruit recipe’s homemade barbecue sauce. The result? A tangy, savory base for the jackfruit to stew in. Best served in a roasted sweet potato or atop a bowl of green, this under 30-minute meal will also keep for several days in the fridge, ensuring hearty leftovers for the rest of the week!
New to Whole30? Here are some of our best Whole30 recipes to get you started.
Originally Published: March 13, 2021
