Emilee Unterkoefler
There’s a funny-looking tropical fruit from Southeast Asia that’s flavorless and shreds nicely, making it an excellent meatless-meal option. Jackfruit makes a fantastic pork or chicken replacement due to its texture and consistency—and we have 10 vegetarian recipes to prove it.
While ready-to-eat jackfruit offers a super-sweet flavor, the young (or unripe) version is almost flavorless, so it’s the perfect ingredient to take on other flavors. Whether you spice it up or add a sauce, jackfruit shreds into a perfect stringy texture. While it’s hard to find in most supermarkets, you can get it online.
BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches with Avocado Slaw
One of the absolute best ways to boast this tropical fruit is by serving it shredded and doused in your favorite barbecue sauce. In this recipe, you’ll learn to create a smokey, satisfying sandwich filler topped with a cool, crunchy avocado slaw you’ll love.
Pick your favorite bulky rolls, and don’t forget the salted cashews for a finish that’s truly meant to be. If you’re dying to give this fruit a try, this scratch BBQ stuffer is the way to go!
Get the Recipe: Minimalist Baker
Crispy Jackfruit Carnitas
This crispy carnitas recipe is another victory for meatless Monday or any day of the week. The author guides you through this easy recipe and highlights this dish’s ability to work with many other meals. That’s what we call a Sunday prep for the win!
The step-by-step tutorial images in this recipe are easy to follow, as each shows the proper way to prep and drain the fruit before you use it. Watch as the young jackfruit shreds into the most insta-worthy images (and bites).
Get the Recipe: Feasting at Home
Potato and Jackfruit Stew
If you’re looking for an appetizing comfort food filled with hearty ingredients but without all the guilty calories, well, that’s a tough one. However, we can offer this recipe! Loaded with flavor and healthy ingredients, like carrots, onion, potato, and jackfruit, it’s a delicious stew.
You’ll also love the barley or gnocchi dumplings you can use as substitutes for the potatoes if you’re watching those carbs. Enjoy this gorgeous stew all winter long with a warm, crusty bread for dipping.
Get the Recipe: Veggie Society
Buffalo Jackfruit and Broccoli Rabe Flatbread
Broccoli Rabe, zucchini, and buffalo jackfruit work together flawlessly in this vegan flatbread dinner. The best part is you can substitute vegan ingredients for non-vegan, depending on your eating style. Be sure to finish this gorgeous flatbread with ranch for a flavor boost that’s perfect for this meal.
Get the Recipe: Killing Thyme
Jerk-Spiced Tacos with Mango Salsa
Using spices like cinnamon, cumin, and cayenne, you’ll learn to make the most delicious Jamaican jerk-spiced jackfruit tacos of all time. Once you top them with the mango avocado salsa, you’ll experience a cool and tangy finish that complements each bite.
These light tacos are sure to hit the spot. They pair nicely with cilantro lime rice or tortilla chips with homemade Pico de Gallo—and don’t forget the margaritas!
Get the Recipe: Love and Lemons
Spaghetti Squash Teriyaki Bowl
Here’s to everyone’s new favorite low-carb spaghetti alternative: the yellow oval squash! It’s swept the nation thanks to Pinterest. We love this teriyaki bowl topped with sautéed veggies and sesame seeds.
The sweet teriyaki is the perfect way to bring the meal together for a fresh take on stir-fried noodles.
Get the Recipe: Live Naturally
Hawaiian Jackfruit Pineapple Kebabs
Looking for a creative way to eat a rainbow? Then these sweet Hawaiian kebabs are for you! Using maple-flavored tempeh bacon, cubed jackfruit, and bell peppers, you’ll create a fun meal to remember.
The best part is these kebabs work well on the grill or in any grill pan on the stove. Just whip out your favorite bottle of barbecue sauce and baste away. Teriyaki sauce also pairs fantastically with the kebab ingredients listed.
Get the Recipe: The Veg Life
Jackfruit Quinoa Bowls
Quinoa bowls are fun to make because you can customize their flavor with the ingredients you choose. For this recipe, you coat jackfruit with a scratch sauce made of almond and cashew butters, sesame oil, and soy sauce.
The rich flavor of the sauce tastes magnificent alongside the sautéed greens and quinoa in these healthy, filling dinner bowls.
Get the Recipe: Full of Plants
Instant Pot Jackfruit Curry
Pull out that Instant Pot and make room for this soul-warming curry dish! Filled with wholesome ingredients, this aromatic meal offers all the delicious, comforting flavors we love most.
You can use ingredients like sweet potato, jackfruit (of course), spinach or kale, and coconut milk for an indulgent twist you can’t resist. Serve up this delicious, spice-filled dish with basmati rice and some flatbread for a filling family meal everyone will enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Rainbow Plant Life
Jackfruit Tortilla Soup
Loaded with veggies and jackfruit, this gorgeous tortilla soup is another one that’ll warm you up this winter. You’ll appreciate how quickly this recipe comes together and then your stovetop does the rest!
Definitely browse the customizations you can use with this recipe—and don’t forget the sour cream and cheese toppings!
Get the Recipe: The Live-In Kitchen
Jackfruit makes a delicious meat substitute, so be sure to give it a try with any of these tried-and-true recipes! Looking for more meatless meals? Check out some high-protein alternatives.
