+23 Jackfruit Recipes (Ripe and Unripe)

What is Jackfruit?

Jackfruit is the largest and heaviest fruit in the world, and it's related to the breadfruit. There are many differences between jackfruits and breadfruits.

We have a young jackfruit tree in our tropical garden in Goa, India, and from that tree, we harvest about 20 jackfruit in one season.

Each jackfruit weighs about 44-66 lbs/ 20-30 kg. Grown Jackfruit trees, with their massive build, can have about 200 Jackfruit growing on the tree trunk and on brunches.

These are crazy numbers when you think that some of these jackfruit tend to get over 55 lbs/ 25 kgs heavy!

The healthy exotic fruit is native to the Western Ghats/West Coast of India, but it also grows in other parts of Asia, in the Caribbeans, Africa and South America.

The fruit is also known as fruit de Jaque in French, kathal in Hindi and pannas पाननस  in Goa and Maharashtra.

It's in season from March to June in any tropical climate and two major varieties exist, a softer jelly-like type and the more common and commercialized fleshy jackfruit.

The fiber rich fruit flesh is pale yellow/beige, and it tastes and smells like a combination of banana, mango, and pineapple.

It's a pleasant smell and taste and nothing bad as the durian. In fact, it's not even related to Durian.

The fruit can be bought whole or canned. When whole, the jackfruit is cut open and consumed in its ripe form. Canned jackfruit is the young fruit, which is raw.

Both, fruit flesh and jackfruit seeds can be used in recipes. The seeds can be boiled and taste just like chestnuts!

We usually enjoy jackfruit as is in its raw state. However, the fruit is great cooked too with other ingredients.

Especially vegans may appreciate this fruit. As a fruit lover, you might want to peruse my list of tropical fruits.

Find a selection of wonderful jackfruit recipes below.

Jackfruit Bao Buns

Vegan pulled Jackfruit Bao Buns have a delectably seasoned sauce with pulled jackfruit, tangy pickled onions and soft, delicate bao buns. Ready in 30 mins.

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Jackfruit Birria Tacos

These vegan Jackfruit Birria Tacos are the plant-based version of the traditional beef Birria tacos.

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Loaded BBQ Pulled Jackfruit Nachos

These vegetarian BBQ Jackfruit Nachos are absolutely brimming with flavor between the cheese, pulled jackfruit, and endless topping options! Can be made with vegan cheese too.

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Indonesian Jackfruit Rendang

Jackfruit rendang is a deliciously spicy, fragrant and filling slow-cooked Indonesian curry. This recipe calls for unripe young jackfruit.

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Jackfruit Mango Smoothie Recipe with Cardamom

This gloriously thick and delicious Jackfruit Mango Smoothie is spiked with a hint of vanilla and cardamom - add in your daily dose of protein and collagen and this becomes more than just a refreshing treat to enjoy.

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Jackfruit Salad With Mango and Dill

Vegan jackfruit salad made with shallot, fresh dill, mango, lemon zest and roasted poblano pepper. You will need raw unripe jackfruit to make this.

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French Dip Jackfruit Sandwich

If comfort food to you is dunking a savory vegan French dip sandwich with unripe jackfruit into a full-bodied au jus, do I have a treat for you… This hearty sandwich is served on toasted ciabatta with sautéed onions and horseradish mayonnaise.

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Jackfruit Upside Down Cake

This jackfruit upside down cake replaces pineapples for a Filipino twist on a classic American dessert. Best made with ripe fresh jackfruit, but canned jackfruit will also work.

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Jackfruit Tinga with Chipotle Sauce

This vegan jackfruit tinga is simmered in a smoky and spicy garlic, olive oil, tomato chipotle sauce. The shredded unripe jackfruit mimics shredded chicken in traditional chicken tinga recipes.

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Chili Verde Jackfruit with Cilantro Lime Brown Rice

The flavor punch in this chili verde jackfruit with cilantro lime brown rice recipe is no joke. It is spicy, savory, tangy, mouth-watering goodness. Prepared with canned, unripe jackfruit and finished with a drizzle of lime juice.

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Pulled Jackfruit BBQ Sandwiches

Pulled Jackfruit BBQ Sandwiches are spiced up with chili powder. A hot bbq sauce recipe is included for 6-8 big fat sandwiches.

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BBQ Jackfruit Tacos with Mango Salsa

Some delicious BBQ Jackfruit Tacos with Mango Salsa to health up your dinner and to keep great flavors on the menu!

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Jackfruit Ice Cream

The sweetness from jackfruit and the bite of jackfruit bits makes this ice cream subtle, creamy and delicious!

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Crispy Jackfruit Carnitas (With Fresh Jackfruit)

Create mind-blowing jackfruit carnitas with this easy-to-follow, Mexican-inspired recipe. Serve them in tacos, tamales, corn tortilla and more. Serve up with Guacamole and Salsa of your choice.

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Vegan Stew with Jackfruit Beef

It is a hearty and filling vegan stew recipe that is loaded with veggies and flavors. For good measure, we also added some jackfruit chunks to have something beefy to bite on. It is the perfect dinner recipe when you need a warm and steamy bowl of delicious vegan comfort food.

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Vegan Jackfruit ‘Pulled Pork’ Tacos with Grilled Pineapple

You won’t believe these tacos are vegan! Jackfruit replaces pulled pork seamlessly in these spicy tacos served with grilled pineapple.

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Indian Jackfruit Stir Fry

Kathal (Jackfruit) Ki Sabzi is a succulent dry preparation of unripe jackfruit cooked with plenty of red onions and spices. The dish has a fibrous texture and delicious taste to it, hence it can be labeled as mock meat also.

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Corned Jackfruit

Vegan spin on the New England St. Patrick’s Day classic with Corned Jackfruit!

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Jackfruit Curry (With Sweet Potato)

This Jackfruit and Sweet Potato Curry Recipe is rich, hearty and super easy to make. This healthy one pot meal is vegan, oil free and wonderful to feed your whole family. Prepared with unripe canned jackfruit.

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Vegan Reuben Jackfruit Sandwich

You’re going to love this vegan reuben jackfruit sandwich. It is packed with corned jackfruit, crunchy sauerkraut, and tangy Thousand Island dressing on toasted marbled rye. It’s a flavor-packed lunch or dinner that truly delivers.

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Stuffed Jackfruits

This recipe is made using ripe but firm jackfruit flesh. It is being stuffed with ground grated coconut and some spices. It is then coated with semolina and shallow fried.

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Raw Jackfruit Kebab

Vegan Kebab prepared with raw jackfruit pulp pieces and served with an Indian chutney.

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Raw Jackfruit Curry

This Jackfruit Curry is a home-style delicious curry made with raw jackfruit in onion tomato and yogurt based curry. Goes well with roti (indian flatbread) and steamed rice.

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More Jackfruit Recipe Ideas!

• Jackfruit and Vegetables Pot Pie
• Crab Cakes with Jackfruit
• BBQ Jackfruit Pizza
• Jackfruit Mushroom Gyros Pita with Tzatziki
• Tandoori Tofu Jackfruit Kebabs