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Home » Plant Basics

Published: Jan 9, 2020 · by Laurel Perry · About 3 minutes to read this article. · This post may contain affiliate links

How to Cook Jackfruit

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Step-by-step guide how to cook jackfruit tender and juicy with crispy edges!

How to Cook Jackfruit that is infused with flavor, tender and juicy, with perfect crisp edges. Aka, how to make jackfruit that tastes just like pulled pork!

Cooked jackfruit in a skillet.

The first person to imagine that jackfruit, a gigantic, spiny tropical fruit, could have the taste and texture of pulled pork was incredibly ambitious. And also 100 percent correct.

When cooked properly jackfruit is bursting with flavor, succulent and juicy, with crispy edges that can rival any barbecued pork on the market. When not cooked properly, jackfruit can be bitter, watery, and bland.

What accounts for the difference? Cooking technique and a flavorful sauce. Armed with the information in this tutorial, you can't go wrong. Jackfruit we are coming for you.

How do you cook jackfruit (with the same texture of BBQ pork!)?

After years of testing jackfruit cooking methods, I am confident that we have landed on the one. It is a combo of perfect texture and maximum flavor without keeping you in the kitchen all day long.

1) Prep the jackfruit.

As simple as can be. Drain your jackfruit and add it into a bowl. Use your hands to break it into shreds that resemble pulled pork or shredded chicken.

Jackfruit broken into smaller pieces on a tray.

2) Infuse flavor into the shredded jackfruit.

Once prepped, add the jackfruit to a nonstick skillet along with your sauce of choice.

If it is a thicker sauce like barbeque or sweet and sour, I recommend adding 1 part sauce and 1 part water (or beer, cider, juice, etc.). You want the sauce to be thin enough so the jackfruit can simmer in it. This not only deeply infuses flavor into the jackfruit, but it also tenderizes it for a juicy end result.

Simmer until the jackfruit has absorbed all the sauce.

3) Get the perfect texture.

Looking for the slightly crispy charred ends like on real BBQ? Transfer the jackfruit to an oiled sheet pan and bake in a 450 degree oven for 20 minutes to crisp up the edges.

Cooked beer braised jackfruit in a skilled.

What tools do you need to cook jackfruit?

  • Nonstick skillet
  • Tongs
  • Sheet pan

Cooked jackfruit closeup with tortillas and lime.

What ingredients do you need to cook jackfruit?

  • Canned Green Jackfruit in Brine (Very important that it is young, green, and in brine. Some varieties are in a sweet syrup.)
  • Sauce of choice (We like BBQ, sweet and sour, any type of curry, and teriyaki).

More Jackfruit Recipes to make ASAP!

  • Jackfruit Pot Roast
  • Vegan Chicken Noodle Soup
  • Jackfruit Chicken Salad Sandwich
  • Baked Jackfruit Taquitos
  • 30 Minute Buffalo Jackfruit Tacos
Print
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Cooked jackfruit in a skillet.

How to Cook Jackfruit

★★★★★ 4.9 from 7 reviews
  • Author: Laurel
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Side
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
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Description

If you've ever wondered what is the best way to cook jackfruit, this is your guide! This recipe is for jackfruit that is infused with flavor, tender and juicy, with perfect crisp edges. Aka, how to make jackfruit that tastes just like pulled pork!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 (20)oz. cans Green Jackfruit in Brine
  • 2 cups sauce of choice (if using a thicker sauce like barbeque or teriyaki, use one part sauce and one part liquid like water, beer, cider, or juice)
  • Avocado oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
  2. Drain the jackfruit and add it to a bowl. Use your hands to break the jackfruit into shreds that resemble pulled pork.
  3. Add the jackfruit and sauce to a large nonstick skillet. Bring the mixture to a simmer. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the jackfruit has absorbed all of the sauce and the pan is dry, but the jackfruit is still moist.
  4. Grab a baking sheet and drizzle on some avocado oil. Use a paper towel to spread out the avocado oil and evenly coat the baking sheet. Transfer the jackfruit to the baking sheet and spread it out into one even layer. Bake for 20 minutes or until the edges are crispy. Enjoy!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Bonnie Schneider says

    August 07, 2020 at 6:37 pm

    I can only find jack fruit in syrup will this work

    Reply
    • Laurel says

      August 10, 2020 at 9:27 am

      Hi Bonnie, Jackfruit in syrup won't work for this recipe - its sweet and candied like dessert. Do you have an Asian store in your area? They are a great resource. You can also check Trader Joe's or Whole Foods if you have one. If not, Amazon always has some in stock too! This is my favorite brand to order from them: https://amzn.to/2DVizTx

      Reply
  2. Jessica says

    September 01, 2020 at 11:35 pm

    Hi there- what is the best storage method for this recipe? Can you reheat?

    Reply
    • Laurel says

      September 02, 2020 at 9:09 am

      Hi Jessica, Great question! You can store it in a lidded container in the fridge for 3-5 days. Then, reheat in the microwave, as is, or a pan with an extra splash of broth/sauce to keep the jackfruit from drying out. Happy cooking!

      Reply
  3. Ben says

    October 12, 2020 at 11:16 am

    Can you use this with fresh jackfruit?

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Laurel says

      October 12, 2020 at 3:14 pm

      Hi Ben, great question! It needs to be canned jackfruit and not fresh. Fresh jackfruit it too sweet and the ripeness of the fruit will cause to break down when cooked.

      Reply
      • Naphtali says

        June 27, 2021 at 3:10 am

        Yes you can use fresh jackfruit but has to been young and green

        Reply
        • Laurel Perry says

          June 28, 2021 at 8:04 pm

          Great info Naphtali! Thank you!

          Reply
  4. Karla A Strauss says

    January 09, 2021 at 6:25 pm

    Do you leave the seed pods and hard core like parts in with the shredded jackfruit? I tried something like this once but spent so much time pulling out the seed pods and core like stuff.

    ★★★★

    Reply
    • Laurel says

      January 11, 2021 at 10:58 am

      Hi Karla, great question! I have never removed the seed-like or core parts. Though they do have a different look than the rest of the jackfruit, their flavor and texture is pretty much the same. Feel free to leave them in!

      Reply
  5. Jeannette says

    May 17, 2021 at 5:34 pm

    What would I use to marinate the jackfruit for curry? 😁

    Reply
    • Laurel Perry says

      May 17, 2021 at 5:37 pm

      Hi Jeannette -- I like how you think! I would use the marinade in this Tofu Satay recipe. It has red curry paste, coconut milk, and a touch of peanut butter.

      Reply
  6. Sawyer says

    September 01, 2021 at 6:55 am

    This was super helpful! Our family has been looking for new ways to make plants taste delicious and we loved this recipe. Jackfruit tacos are the house favorite.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  7. Leona says

    September 01, 2021 at 12:08 pm

    Have always had a hard time knowing how to cook Jackfruit- and have wanted a good way to make it not so fruity- sour. This recipe is the ticket! Thank you Laurel!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  8. Kenzie says

    September 01, 2021 at 12:15 pm

    I love this guide on how to cook jackfruit! Very helpful and love how easy it is to make!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  9. Susie says

    October 10, 2021 at 4:16 pm

    Hi, I've never cooked with or even eaten jackfruit before, and I was considering using it to make a vegan Brunswick stew. If I'm putting it in the stew, would I need to cook it beforehand as you've described here, or could I just throw it into the stew and let it soak up the sauce there?

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Laurel Perry says

      October 11, 2021 at 12:08 pm

      Hi Susie! I have recently tested something similar, and here is what I've found works best: Drain and dry the jackfruit to remove as much water as possible. Add it to the stew when you would normally add the beef. You may need to simmer a bit longer than the recipe states, until the jackfruit absorbs plenty of flavor. I have also found that the jackfruit is even more flavorful the next day, so make is a day in advance if possible :) Happy cooking!

      Reply
      • Susie says

        October 11, 2021 at 3:53 pm

        Thank you so much! I will give it a try!

        Reply
  10. Karen says

    October 15, 2021 at 8:47 am

    Hi Laurel, your site is great, with little things like ticking ingredients, scaling up quantity, all helps. I have bookmarked you. We have had jackfruit a few times, but the other night our special Hindu friends brought dinner to share with us, and I'm now hooked on Jackfruit. They had popped it in an air fryer before tossing it through a very tasty rice dish in the later stage of cooking. The fruit tasted of the herbs and spices used in the dish, and very much like chicken.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Laurel Perry says

      October 16, 2021 at 1:41 pm

      Hi Karen! So glad to have you here! I am going to have to try putting jackfruit in the air fryer asap - I bet it creates the best crispy edges!

      Reply
  11. Reed says

    May 02, 2022 at 1:51 pm

    We love this recipe. Made it for the kids and they loved it. Super fun new addition to our weekly menu!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

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Hi! I'm Laurel

Eating your veggies doesn’t have to mean bland steamed cauliflower and boring salads! My mission is to help people eat their nine servings of fruit & vegetables a day and LOVE it! About me →

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