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!
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.
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.
What tools do you need to cook jackfruit?
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
How to Cook Jackfruit
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
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
- 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
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
- Drain the jackfruit and add it to a bowl. Use your hands to break the jackfruit into shreds that resemble pulled pork.
- 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.
- 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!
I can only find jack fruit in syrup will this work
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
Hi there- what is the best storage method for this recipe? Can you reheat?
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!
Can you use this with fresh jackfruit?
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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.
Yes you can use fresh jackfruit but has to been young and green
Great info Naphtali! Thank you!
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.
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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!
What would I use to marinate the jackfruit for curry? 😁
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.
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.
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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!
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I love this guide on how to cook jackfruit! Very helpful and love how easy it is to make!
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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!
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!
Thank you so much! I will give it a try!
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.
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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!