Use Up a Can of Jackfruit with These 11 Vegan Jackfruit Recipes

Two feet long, weighing up to 40 pounds, and covered in bumpy green skin, jackfruit is the largest (and perhaps strangest-looking) fruit in the world. But don’t be fooled by the offputting exterior: The fruit contains tasty, pod-like flesh that’s a favorite meat substitute among plant-based eaters due to its hearty texture and ability to absorb flavor. Fortunately, you don’t have to lug the gigantic fruits into your kitchen in order to enjoy cooking with it because many stores carry chopped jackfruit preserved in brine or water. Check out our Ingredient IQ: Jackfruit for the full rundown, but the most important thing to know before hitting the supermarket is that jackfruit’s taste changes drastically based on its ripeness. When unripe (usually stored in a can), jackfruit has a neutral, slightly savory taste perfect for using in main courses, and when it’s ripe (often in the fresh produce section), it transforms into a sweet, tropical fruit ideal for including in desserts.

All of our vegan jackfruit recipes skew savory, but as you get more comfortable with this tasty ingredient we hope you feel empowered to experiment with its different iterations. From meaty sandwiches to veggie-packed stews and fantastic flatbreads, this delicious collection of recipes is bound to turn you into a full-on jackfruit fanatic!