In grocery stores, more people are finding a great meat substitute in shredded jackfruit. Mimicking the texture of meat, they’re a vegan’s dream food, and a go-to ingredient for anyone that wants to eat more healthfully. Hailing from tropical regions in Southeast Asia, this strange fruit is in the right place at the right time, making it the ultimate way to turn your favorite recipes into healthier options without sacrificing flavor. Check out my favorite vegan jackfruit recipes for meal prep inspiration!
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Table of Contents
What is jackfruit?
Jackfruit comes from tropical trees in Southeast Asia and has a meaty texture inside. Depending on whether it is young jackfruit or not, you will either have a sweet or savory flavor. But that doesn’t really matter when using it in recipes, for you can easily turn it right into your favorite vegan meals.
An actual jackfruit is quite heavy, but luckily, most grocery stores have it already prepared. You can find a can of jackfruit or packages of it cut into portions that are ready to cook or eat.
Where can I buy it?
Head to your grocery store (hello, Trader Joe!), health food stores, or at Asian grocery stores. You can even buy jackfruit on Amazon. Jackfruit is that versatile ingredient you need to whip up delicious recipes. And now, it’s so much easier to find available in stores.
Nutrition
One cup of jackfruit has 40 grams of carbs, 3 grams of fiber, and 3 grams of protein. It is a good source of manganese, copper, potassium, magnesium, riboflavin, and vitamins C and A.
A study found that dietary intake of vitamin C through consuming fruits and vegetables was directly related to the risk of depressive symptoms. The higher a person’s intake of dietary vitamin C, the lower their risk of depressive symptoms.
Rae’s Favorite Recipes
The List: 31 Best Vegan Jackfruit Recipes
The great thing about jackfruit is that it can be used in so many ways. You’ll find sweet flavor plus savory jackfruit recipes that will have you cooking up all kinds of vegan recipes with this versatile fruit.
Mexican Dishes
Whether you use store-bought corn tortillas or homemade tortillas, shredded jackfruit fits right in with Mexican recipes. A squeeze of lime juice, a touch of red onion, and vegan cheese all help accentuate the incredible pulled pork texture of this unique fruit. Even if you just added taco seasoning, no one would realize it’s not meat!
Vegan Burgers
Pile jackfruit up with your favorite toppings to create vegan burgers that no one can resist. The flavors are bold and brilliant and will change everyone’s mind about going meatless.
Vegan Sandwiches
The meaty texture of jackfruit is a smash hit in sandwiches and wraps. Make a satisfying lunch or casual dinner with more ease and without sacrificing flavor!
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Vegan Soups
Shredded jackfruit can easily be added to soups too. These vegan recipes are simple and satisfying. You can even use jackfruit to replace meat in other soup recipes too.
More Recipes
With these vegan jackfruit recipes, you can feed the family or delight everyone at your next gathering.
Jackfruit Recipe Storage Tips
If you do get a whole jackfruit, unripe jackfruit can ripen up on your counter. Then you can use the following storage tips to help make it last. For store-bought and cooked jackfruit, these methods for your fridge and freezer still apply.
- Fridge: Whether you’ve used it and cooked it in your vegan recipe, or you’ve opened your container and haven’t used it all, you will want to keep it in the fridge. Any jackfruit you haven’t used should be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or stowed in an airtight container. It will last between 5 and 7 days. The same goes for your cooked recipes, though I’d aim to finish them off sooner rather than later for the best flavors.
- Freezer: You can also freeze jackfruit to prolong its life before you cook with it. Make sure it’s cut into smaller pieces first, as those will be easier to work with. It will last for up to 2 months in here. If your meal with jackfruit is cooked, simply keep it in an airtight container and try to use it within 2 to 3 months max.
FAQ
Jackfruit is good for just about everyone. It has a high protein content and loads of nutrients, making it an excellent choice. If you are allergic to birch pollen or latex, you should avoid eating jackfruit. And since it contains a high potassium content, it can be harmful to you if you suffer from kidney disease or acute kidney failure.
Vegans eat jackfruit because it’s hearty and meaty without actually eating meat. This helps make your recipes feel more substantial and filling. Plus, it tastes great!
You can use cans of jackfruit to make just about anything. Try making a BBQ jackfruit sandwich, creamy curry, vegan carnitas, or a vegan French dip sandwich. Check my post for all the amazing vegan recipes you can whip up with canned jackfruit!
Simply cook the jackfruit pods into your recipes. If you’re just starting out with jackfruit, I recommend finding it already prepared in cans or packages. This makes it a lot easier and gives you a feel for how to work with this fruit.
Jackfruit is often likened to pulled pork, both in texture and flavor. It’s easy to use in sweet recipes and savory ones too.
Final Words
You don’t need to be vegan to give jackfruit a try. If you’re looking for a way to lighten up your meals, add more nutrition, or simply try something new, these 40 vegan jackfruit recipes will help you make meatless meals more easily!
Reference
Wang, A., Luo, J., Zhang, T., & Zhang, D. (2021). Dietary Vitamin C and Vitamin C Derived from Vegetables Are Inversely Associated with the Risk of Depressive Symptoms among the General Population. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland), 10(12), 1984. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox10121984
These all look so delicious!
They are so good!