Prepare jackfruit for eating.

Learn how to prepare jackfruit, a plant-based diet staple that has seen a surge in popularity in recent years.

Many of us are trying to cut back on our meat consumption and are instead buying vegetarian or vegan options. (link opens in a new window) substitutes such as jackfruit are being used instead. Oddly enough, cooked jackfruit tastes a lot like pulled pork. In this new window: In case you haven't seen a real jackfruit before, you're missing out. This enormous fruit is covered in hundreds of sharp spikes.

The benefits of eating jackfruit, as well as its preparation and oven-baking instructions, are discussed in our comprehensive cooking guide.

We'll answer questions like, "Where does jackfruit come from? " and "What are the health benefits of eating jackfruit?" and share our favorite jackfruit recipes.

This unusual ingredient is simple to prepare in the kitchen and can be used in a wide variety of dishes. It can be prepared quickly, making it ideal for a hasty dinner, but it can also be prepared slowly and used in a wide range of recipes.  

See the instructions for preparing fresh jackfruit above. To prepare jackfruit from a can, drain and rinse it under cold water.

Using a pan to cook jackfruit.

Jackfruit can be prepared in a flash by pan-frying.

1. To prepare, heat some oil in a pan and fry some sliced onions. After 3 minutes, add some minced garlic and one chopped red pepper. Cook for another 5 to 7 minutes.
2. Throw in a can of drained jackfruit, some water, and some barbecue sauce.
3. In a skillet, cook the jackfruit for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it is soft enough to be broken up with a spoon.

A delicious filling for corn tortillas and avocado slices in jackfruit tacos.

Instructions for cooking with jackfruit.

1. Set the oven temperature to 200 degrees Celsius (Gas Mark 6).
2. Two forks can be used to shred the jackfruit, and then it can be placed on a baking sheet.
3. Mix in other vegetables or pulses like chickpeas and season with oil, salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs and spices.
4. Bake at 400 degrees for 30–40 minutes, turning once with a fork.

Put on buns, pitas, baked potatoes, or serve with fries!  

Cooking jackfruit in a slow cooker

Modify an existing recipe for use in a slow cooker. (link opens in new window/tab) Using jackfruit in place of the meat or primary vegetable  

Throw everything into a slow cooker and set it to high for two to three hours. After that, shred the jackfruit and stir it back in. Accompany with bread, rice, or fresh seasonal vegetables.

Recipes for jackfruit

First, if you ever find yourself in possession of a fresh jackfruit, know that it contains natural latex; those of you who suffer from latex allergies should exercise caution and wear gloves when handling the fruit.

What you intend to do with the jackfruit and whether you purchase a young (yellow) or older (green) fruit will determine how you prepare it.  

Jackfruit, which has yellowish, spiky skin when ripe, can be enjoyed like any other tropical fruit and used in place of cereal, as a snack, or as an ingredient in sweets.

You may be able to find this precut into wedges, depending on the size of the jackfruit, but if not, here's what you should do with it:

1. Some people recommend oiling both the inside and outside of the jackfruit to make cutting it easier due to the sticky texture.  
2. Divide the fruit in half lengthwise, and then cut each half into thirds.  
3. To make things easier, cut out the fibrous center, and you'll be able to enjoy the bright yellow fruit pods. It's best to wash the pods in cold water after you've plucked them, as this will kill any bacteria that might have accumulated in the fibrous outer skin and the seed inside.  
4. The seeds can be boiled and added to dishes like curries and stews, or they can be roasted and eaten as a snack.

Young jackfruit is typically used for cooking because of its tougher skin, paler flesh, and underdeveloped flavor; it is excellent at taking on the flavor of whatever you pair it with. Meat-like texture can be achieved by using young, green jackfruit. The majority of people in the UK get theirs in a tin from companies like Biona, Cooks and Co, and Natures Charm, making it an easy option for a quick meal.

If you can get your hands on some unripe jackfruit, don't worry; they're just as simple to prepare as ripe ones. However, the young fruit is much stickier due to a resin that can stain.

1. It's best to use a sharp pairing or serrated knife, just like you would for ripe jackfruit, and to oil the blade before each use. If you don't want to wear gloves or oil your hands, you can lightly oil the hand that will be touching the fruit.  
2. Make like a pineapple and peel it this time instead of slicing it in half.
3. Separate the fruit into thinner slices along its length and discard the fibrous core. To make cubes, cut the wedges in half lengthwise and rinse them in cold water.

The best jackfruit dishes we've ever made

Here are a couple of real staple meal ideas with jackfruit as the main focus, should you be in search of jackfruit recipes.

Tacos filled with shredded jackfruit instead of pork

Jackfruit pulled pork is a delicious meat substitute. In this new window: a new spin on a traditional American dish This fruit's fantastically fibrous texture is perfect for retaining the sauce. For convenience, we used canned jackfruit in this recipe.

Tacos with pulled jackfruit instead of pork? Recipe here! the link opens in a new window/tab.

Pancakes stuffed with pulled jackfruit and hoisin sauce

Jackfruit can be used interchangeably with shredded meat in any recipe. Making this Chinese favorite with jackfruit is a breeze, and it results in a dish that tastes just as good as it looks.

Here's how to make some delicious Hoisin pancakes. To view the video, click here (opens in a new tab)

Whence does the jackfruit hail

Jackfruit is a relatively recent arrival on our scene, but it was first cultivated in India some 6,000 years ago. Popular in both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, this fruit is considered a national symbol in both countries. Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand are also major producers. Since it prefers warm weather, it can also be cultivated in the southern United States.

Maximum height for a jack tree is 80 feet, and a fully mature tree can produce 500 jackfruits annually. Some jackfruit can grow to be 1 meter long and 50 kilograms in weight, making it the largest fruit that can be harvested from a tree. The pods' flesh turns a bright yellow color and tastes sweet when it's time to harvest. Their flavor is distinctively mild, almost like a cross between banana, pineapple, and mango.  

Fresh jackfruit is hard to come by in the United Kingdom. You might find it in Asian grocery stores or at a specialty market in a major city, but you won't find it at Sainsbury's or Tesco. However, you can find tins of young or unripe jackfruit in most supermarkets across the country.  

When it comes to nutrition, jackfruit scores high.

Although jackfruit isn't the best source of protein for vegetarian and vegan meat substitutes, it does have many other advantages. Vitamin C and magnesium, both of which are abundant in the fruit, have been linked to a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease and other ailments.

When consumed in its raw form, this delicious food has only 155 calories per cup, making it an excellent choice for those watching their calorie intake. Also present in this same amount are 2 8g carbs, 4g protein, 2g fat 6 grams of fiber, and only 39 6 g of sugars

Jackfruit can be used in a variety of ways. The roasted flesh can be made into chips, jam, or flour.