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    Home » Resources

    31+ Best Tinned Jackfruit Recipes

    Published: Feb 16, 2022 by Jess & Dan · Modified: Feb 16, 2022 · This post may contain affiliate links

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    A collage of jackfruit recipes with a title in the middle.
    Collage of tinned jackfruit recipes, with a Pinterest title in the middle.
    Collage with title '31 best tinned jackfruit recipes' with a collage of jackfruit dishes

    Jackfruit is one of the greatest ingredients for replacing meat in recipes! In this list, you’re going to get all the inspiration you need for making the best tinned jackfruit recipes. They’re simple, delicious and inspired by flavours from all over the world, like this Jackfruit Curry. But, first of all, let’s delve into why jackfruit is such a great ingredient.

    Collage with title 'Best tinned jackfruit recipes' as well as images of jackfruit dishes.
    Jump to:
    • 🤔 What is jackfruit?
    • 👩‍🍳 How to cook jackfruit
    • 🛒 Where to buy jackfruit
    • 🍛 Best Tinned Jackfruit Recipes
    • 💭 Canned Jackfruit FAQs
    • 💬 Comments

    🤔 What is jackfruit?

    Jackfruit is a fruit that’s grown on trees in tropical climates like south-east Asia, the Caribbean and Brazil.

    It’s a relative of the fig and breadfruit, and when it’s fully grown it has a thick, light green bumpy skin with pods inside of it, that’s kind of similar to mango. However, we’re talking about jackfruit when it is unripe in this article. When it’s underripe, the outside is green and knobbly but the inside is tougher and meatier.

    While jackfruit is often used as a meat replacement, as it resembles pulled pork when slowly cooked, it actually isn’t a great source of protein. Which I actually found quite surprising! To give you an idea, it has 2 grams of protein per 100g, as well as 95 calories. Find out more about jackfruit.

    👩‍🍳 How to cook jackfruit

    Jackfruit can be used for savoury and sweet dishes. In this article we’ll be focusing on tinned jackfruit recipes, using young jackfruit. The type that is used for savoury dishes, where jackfruit is usually used to replace meat. That means buying jackfruit that comes in brine or water in a tin. Ripe jackfruit is often sold in cans in syrup, so don’t get them confused!

    Young jackfruit can be slow cooked, BBQd, baked, added to curries, stews and stir fries and even air fried. Basically, it can be cooked using almost any method but it’s the flavours that make the biggest difference!

    🛒 Where to buy jackfruit

    Jackfruit can be bought in lots of major supermarkets in the UK and the US. It’s also found in Asian supermarkets and health food stores. It will usually be in the canned goods aisle, near tins of beans and legumes.

    It’s also often sold in pouches but that’s often preprepared in a sauce or gravy, so it wouldn’t be great for the recipes in this list. You can also buy jackfruit online, and if you buy a few tins at a time, you usually get a bulk discount which is great for savings!

    🍛 Best Tinned Jackfruit Recipes

    1. Easy Indonesian Jackfruit Rendang

    Jackfruit curry in a brown bowl with white rice and fresh red chilli on top, sat on top of a white doily with spoons to the right
    Check out this recipe
    5 from 6 votes
    Ready in: 1 hour 40 minutes
    Recipe by: Jess & Dan
    Jackfruit rendang is a slow-cooked, deliciously spicy, fragrant and filling Indonesian curry, that we're sure will be a hit!

    2. Jackfruit Curry in under 60 Minutes

    Jackfruit curry in a bowl with handles with vegan yoghurt and coriander on top. There's a small bowl of yoghurt in the background as well as a bigger bowl of rice
    Check out this recipe
    4.89 from 9 votes
    Ready in: 55 minutes
    Recipe by: Jess & Dan
    This Jackfruit Curry has a rich and delicious tomato Rogan Josh style sauce, is super filling and so easy to make. It's on the mild side, yet is full of flavour!

    3. Jackfruit Chilli

    Jackfruit chilli in a bowl topped with coriander and vegan sour cream
    Check out this recipe
    5 from 2 votes
    Ready in: 1 hour
    Recipe by: Jess & Dan
    Jackfruit chilli is a brilliantly smokey and mild one-pot dish that really hits the spot!

    4. Jackfruit Wrap

    Square image of jackfruit wrap with kidney beans and sweet potato visible.
    Check out this recipe
    5 from 3 votes
    Ready in: 35 minutes
    Recipe by: Jess & Dan
    Jackfruit wraps are perfect for lunch meal prep and are so easy to make. It’s packed full with healthy goodness and comes with a spicy kick.

    5. Jackfruit Gyros

    Jackfruit gyros on a white plate, wrapped up with salad.
    Check out this recipe
    Ready in: 35 minutes
    Recipe by: Moon and Spoon and Yum
    Gyros are a Greek dish that typically aren’t vegan-friendly. This recipe takes all the flavours you would come to expect from a gyro and pairs them with the versatile ingredient that is jackfruit. Jackfruit makes the perfect substitute for a traditional gyro and also packs a good dose of vitamin C.

    6. Grilled Vegan Jackfruit Tacos

    Three grilled jackfruit tacos with toppings in bowls around them.
    Check out this recipe
    Ready in: 35 minutes
    Recipe by: Make it Dairy Free
    These easy grilled vegan jackfruit tacos are a delicious summer recipe that's infused with flavour and paired with homemade vegan BBQ sauce.

    7. Vegan Chicken Salad

    Vegan chicken salad sandwich on brown bread served on a wooden chopping board.
    Check out this recipe
    Ready in: 25 minutes
    Recipe by: My Quiet Kitchen
    This Vegan Chicken Salad is so creamy, nostalgic, delicious, and versatile. With both chickpeas and jackfruit, it has the best texture. It's great for meal prep, snacks, parties and quick lunches!

    8. Hoisin Jackfruit Tacos

    Hoisin jackfruit tacos on an oval plate with condiments all around them.
    Check out this recipe
    Ready in: 50 minutes
    Recipe by: Rebel Recipes
    This list features a few jackfruit tacos, but none like these. Jackfruit in a hoisin sauce and peanut slaw, this one wins the most creative jackfruit taco award!

    9. Vegan Crab Cakes

    Vegan crab cakes on a blue plate with a dip in a pot.
    Check out this recipe
    Ready in: 35 minutes
    Recipe by: No Sweat Vegan
    These Vegan Crab Cakes are delicate, flaky, and full of the flavours of the sea. Nori and Old Bay Seasoning add all the right notes, while jackfruit creates the perfect ‘crab’ cake texture.

    10. Vegan Seitan Ribs

    Three vegan ribs stacked on top of one another with BBQ sauce on top.
    Check out this recipe
    Ready In: 1 hour 5 minutes (plus 1 hour resting time)
    Recipe by: My Quiet Kitchen
    Get ready for some epic vegan seitan ribs! This award-winning recipe is saucy, succulent, and completely irresistible. From backyard cookouts to weekly meal prep, you'll return to this easy vegan BBQ again and again.

    11. Cruelty Free Chicken Drumsticks

    4 jackfruit chicken drumsticks, one with a bite taken out of it.
    Check out this recipe
    Ready in: 2 hours
    Recipe by: Zachary Birdu
    In this tinned jackfruit recipe, jackfruit is used to create a vegan chicken drumstick. But not only that – cauliflower has also been used to recreate the bone! A genius idea, and one that I think is a must try.

    12. Jackfruit Blanquette

    Two jackfruit blanquette in black cast iron dishes with lids to the side.
    Check out this recipe
    Ready in: 2 hours
    Recipe by: Full of Plants
    The classic French stew featuring jackfruit, carrot and potato, in a rich and creamy white wine sauce. So comforting and hearty.

    13. Jackfruit Steamed Buns

    Jackfruit steamed buns in a bamboo steamer, with spring onions on the side.
    Check out this recipe
    Ready in: 1 hour
    Recipe by: Lucy and Lentils
    These beautifully presented jackfruit steamed buns are fragrant, sweet and delicious. Featuring plum and hoisin sauce, complemented by spring onions, wrapped up and steamed in a homemade bun. A real show stopper!

    14. Vegan Buffalo Chicken Dip

    Celery being dipped into vegan buffalo chicken dip.
    Check out this recipe
    Ready in: 28 minutes
    Recipe by: Veganosity
    This spicy vegan Buffalo Chicken Dip is creamy and delicious. A classic dip that tastes like the traditional one thanks to jackfruit.

    15. BBQ Jackfruit Tacos

    Top down view of 4 jackfruit tacos on a chopping board with avocado.
    Check out this recipe
    Ready in: 35 minutes
    Recipe by: Rainbow Nourishments
    These easy BBQ jackfruit tacos have an incredible pulled pork texture and are bursting with flavour. Plus, it only uses commonly found supermarket ingredients.

    16. Vegan Taco Soup

    Vegan taco soup in a white bowl with handles topped with avocado.
    Check out this recipe
    Ready in: 30 minutes
    Recipe by: Veggies Save the Day
    Easy to make in 30 minutes with pantry staples, this vegan taco soup features black beans, corn, and jackfruit in a spicy tomato broth. Topped with avocado slices and crushed tortilla chips for a hearty Mexican-inspired meal.

    17. Vegan Birria Tacos

    Birria tacos served with salad, limes and fresh coriander.
    Check out this recipe
    Ready in: 45 minutes
    Recipe by: Daily Dish
    Up your #TacoTuesday game with these vegan birria tacos. Crispy on the outside and filled with Mexican chilli spiced jackfruit, these are sure to be a crowd pleaser.

    18. Spiced Jackfruit Shawarma

    Vegan shawarma on an open flatbread with salad.
    Check out this recipe
    Ready in: 2 hours 50 minutes
    Recipe by: My Goodness Kitchen
    Grab a napkin because this juicy, spiced jackfruit shawarma is easy to make, completely addictive and 100% carnivore-approved.

    19. Vegan Buffalo Chicken Nachos

    Sheet pan vegan chicken nachos topped with spring onions and hot sauce.
    Check out this recipe
    Ready in: 15 minutes
    Recipe by: Strength and Sunshine
    What's easier and more delicious than a big batch of sheet pan nachos? These Easy Sheet Pan Vegan Buffalo Chicken Nachos! They’re gluten-free, allergy-free and 100% meatless. Whip up these quick, bold and spicy chips for a snack, party appetizer, or fun dinner.

    20. Veggie Pulled Pork Nachos

    Pulled jackfruit in a sheet pan topped with fresh coriander, tomatoes and red onion.
    Check out this recipe
    Ready in: 25 minutes
    Recipe by: Evergreen Kitchen
    These Veggie Pulled Pork Nachos are a crowd pleaser! Jackfruit is tossed in BBQ sauce, then piled over nacho chips with all the toppings.

    21. Vegan Jackfruit Buffalo Dip

    Vegan buffalo jackfruit dip in a skillet pan served with vegetable sticks and crackers.
    Check out this recipe
    Ready in: 40 minutes
    Recipe by: Two City Vegans
    This vegan jackfruit buffalo dip is cheesy, creamy and has just a little bit of crunch! It’s easy to whip up and makes a great game day or party dip as it’s a real crowd-pleaser.

    22. Pulled Jackfruit

    Pulled jackfruit with sauce in pan, lettuce in a bowl in the background.
    Check out this recipe
    Ready in: 40 minutes
    Recipe by: Tin and Thyme
    This pulled jackfruit is a vegan take on pulled pork. It’s rich, smoky and likely to fool all but a pork connoisseur. The recipe includes a healthy and delicious homemade barbecue sauce.

    23. Instant Jackfruit Pickle

    Red jackfruit pickle in a jar, top down view.
    Check out this recipe
    Ready in: 20 minutes
    Recipe by: Ruchik Randhap
    This is a bit of a different tinned jackfruit recipe, that instead of being a main dish, it's a condiment. This quick pickle is made using the seasonal bounty of Indian summers - young (tender) jackfruit and raw mango. Quick, easy and wonderfully delicious!

    24. Vegan Reuben Sandwich

    Vegan reuben sandwich with a pickle on a skewer through the bread.
    Check out this recipe
    Ready in: 30 minutes
    Recipe by: Cadry's Kitchen
    We bet you'll love the tangy goodness of a jackfruit reuben sandwich. It's served with sauerkraut and Thousand Island dressing on marbled rye.

    25. Jackfruit Southwest Salad

    Colourful jackfruit salad featuring beans, carrot, sweetcorn and tomato.
    Check out this recipe
    Ready in: 25 minutes
    Recipe by: Peel with Zeal
    A hearty salad with tangy BBQ jackfruit and an avocado dressing, that's a joy to look at as well as eat! Healthy never looked so good.

    26. Jackfruit Carnitas

    Close up of jackfruit carnitas topped with radish and red cabbage.
    Check out this recipe
    Ready in: 15 minutes
    Recipe by: Fannetastic Food
    These jackfruit carnitas tacos are super flavourful and shockingly easy to make! They're fresh and delicious, especially when topped with crunchy sliced radishes and cabbage slaw.

    27. BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich

    BBQ jackfruit sandwich served on a blue camping plate.
    Check out this recipe
    Ready in: 20 minutes
    Recipe by: Fresh off the Grid
    This vegan alternative to a pulled pork sandwich is a great idea for lunch. While actual pulled pork takes hours of slow-roasting, this BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich can be ready in 20 minutes!

    28. Satay Jackfruit Burger

    Satay jackfruit burger in a sesame bun on a wooden board.
    Check out this recipe
    Ready in: 40 minutes
    Recipe by: Somebody Feed Seb
    This Asian-style Satay Jackfruit Burger recipe that's topped with a mound of cucumber and spring onion, and served with sesame coated wedges. It's a cross between a Chinese duck pancake, satay chicken skewer and a good ol’ ‘meaty’ burger! If you’re in a hurry, skip the sauce and use shop-bought hoisin sauce.

    29. Vegan Kedgeree

    Vegan kedgeree piled on an oval plate with curry powder on a spoon pointing towards it.
    Check out this recipe
    Ready in: 1 hour 5 minutes
    Recipe by: Quite Good Food
    Vegan kedgeree of spiced basmati rice and lentils with tender chunks of marinated jackfruit as a substitute for smoked fish. This is another lesser known way of using tinned jackfruit, but one that we're totally here for.

    30. Jerk Jackfruit

    Jerk jackfruit in a bowl with rice and peas in a separate bowl behind it.
    Check out this recipe
    Ready in: 1 hour 25 minutes
    Recipe by: The Vegan Larder
    This Jerk Jackfruit is a super popular recipe for an authentic Caribbean flavour! It’s super easy to make the marinade and is just perfect served with rice and peas.

    31. Vegan Jackfruit Bao Buns

    A jackfruit bao bun with fresh coriander and cabbage
    Check out this recipe
    Ready in: 1 hour 15 minutes
    Recipe by: Lazy Cat Kitchen
    A classic Chinese bao bun made with tinned jackfruit instead of duck. Featuring a delicate hoisin sauce and it's beautifully presented with cucumber, red cabbage and crushed peanuts.

    32. Jackfruit Cutlets

    Jackfruit cutlets on a plate with a green dip in a glass ramekin.
    Check out this recipe
    Ready in: 1 hour 40 minutes
    Recipe by: The Flavor Bender
    A vegan alternative to traditional Sri Lankan fish cutlets – jackfruit is so versatile it can replace many types of meats! Featuring a curried jackfruit filling, these croquettes are one-of-a-kind and make a super delicious snack!

    💭 Canned Jackfruit FAQs

    Do I need to cook canned jackfruit?

    You can eat jackfruit straight out of the can without cooking it first, but it won’t necessarily be enjoyable this way! Partly, jakfruit is so enjoyable because of the way it’s cooked and the seasoning that’s added to it. As it’s a bland fruit, it acts as a blank canvas that absorbs many different flavours really well. Most tinned jackfruit recipes require the jackfruit to be cooked.

    Is canned jackfruit already cooked?

    Canned jackfruit isn’t cooked before being canned and sold in shops. The jackfruit in the can is usually either in water or brine in the can, in order for it to be preserved. However, as it is sitting in brine or water, that means it’s going to naturally be a bit softer than when it is first harvested. It has essentially been soaked in liquid by the time you come to open and drain the jackfruit, to make one of the amazing tinned jackfruit recipes featured in this list!

    Canned jackfruit vs fresh jackfruit?

    You’ll probably find it quite difficult to get hold of fresh jackfruit if you’re in the UK. If you find some, you can use it for cooking, but there are a couple of things to be aware of.

    If you’re using fresh jackfruit (rather than tinned) you’ll probably find it harder to prepare as it’s harder to pull apart. You will need to remove both the skin and the outer part of the fruit as it’s only the middle that’s suitable for eating. Plus, it will need a much longer cooking time than tinned jackfruit. We actually cooked with fresh jackfruit quite often when we lived in Bali, and found that it needs a long, slow simmer time to get the same results as using tinned jackfruit.

    Can jackfruit be frozen?

    Yes, absolutely. Jackfruit freezes really well, and we’ve kept jackfruit dishes in the freezer for around 3 months, but it does depend on the recipe. Each tinned jackfruit recipe that we’ve included in this list has its own set of instructions for storage, found at each link.

    If you loved this tinned jackfruit recipes list, then give it a share on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest! Did we miss your favourite jackfruit recipe? Let us know in the comments!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Choclette

      February 21, 2022 at 7:01 pm

      So many delicious and creative recipes to try here. They're going to keep me going for ages.

      Reply
      • Jess & Dan

        March 04, 2022 at 8:46 am

        Thanks so much Choclette, there were honestly so many to choose from it was hard to stop adding more jackfruit recipes!

        Reply

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