Jackfruit is a versatile tropical fruit that can be shredded and prepared to resemble meaty textures like pulled chicken or pork. Canned jackfruit provides a convenient shortcut to achieving these plant-based recipes. In this article, I will instruct you how to cook jackfruit perfectly in 2 different ways
1. How To Cook Jackfruit in Oven
Ingredients
- 2 20oz cans young green jackfruit, drained and rinsed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- BBQ sauce, taco seasoning or other seasonings as desired
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
Drain and rinse the canned jackfruit. Gently break apart any large chunks or strands. Pat dry thoroughly with paper towels or a tea towel.
Place jackfruit in a mixing bowl. Toss with olive oil and seasonings until thoroughly coated.
Spread seasoned jackfruit in a single layer on prepared baking sheet. Bake 25-30 minutes, turning halfway, until lightly browned.
Remove jackfruit from oven and let cool 5 minutes before handling. Use two forks to shred and pull apart the cooked jackfruit into meaty strings.
At this point the jackfruit can be tossed in BBQ sauce and used as a plant-based pulled pork. For faux chicken texture, continue drying out the shreds.
Return shredded jackfruit to baking sheet and bake 10 additional minutes. Let cool before using in chicken style salads, sandwiches, tacos etc.
Tips
- Squeeze out excess moisture from jackfruit before seasoning.
- Use flavorful seasonings like cajun spice, taco mix, jerk or curry.
- Bake at 400°F for extra crispy, dry jackfruit strands.
- Simmer in broiler 3-5 minutes to char edges.
2. How To Cook Jackfruit on Stove
Ingredients
- 2 20oz cans young green jackfruit, drained and rinsed
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1⁄2 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1⁄2 tsp oregano
- 1 cup broth or water
Instructions
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and saute 2-3 minutes until translucent.
Next, add garlic and saute 30 seconds until fragrant. Then add drained jackfruit plus all dry spices. Saute 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
Pour in broth or water. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low.
Cover and cook 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until jackfruit absorbs most of the liquid.
Remove lid and continue cooking to evaporate any remaining liquid, about 5 minutes.
Use two forks or tongs to shred and pull jackfruit into meat-like strands.
Use jackfruit as a substitute for pulled pork or chicken in tacos, sandwiches, bowls and more.
Tips
- Add smoky flavor with smoked paprika or liquid smoke.
- Stir in BBQ sauce or hoisin sauce at the end.
- Saute onion and garlic in bacon fat for extra flavor.
- Shred jackfruit before simmering for faster cook time.
With the convenient shortcut of canned jackfruit, you can easily mimic the popular textures of pulled pork or shredded chicken at home. Simply follow these oven or stovetop methods for plant-based recipes the whole family will love.
