How to Cook Jackfruit? It’s a decent question when you are trying to cook a dish with jackfruit. Further, this is cultivated broadly worldwide in tropical regions like Sri Lanka, India, and Bangladesh.  It is also cultivated in Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Australian rainforests.

It is a huge fruit that can weigh up to 55 kilograms. An adult tree can grow up to 200 jackfruits each year. However,  Older trees can bear up to 500 jackfruits. Usually, it is also used in the cuisines of Southeast and South Asian countries.

Furthermore, the most important aspect of cooking jackfruit is preparing it for cooking. As it contains a sticky substance inside its pulp. Besides, this pulp can mess up your preparation of jackfruit. Also, it has many seeds that you need to discard.

Meanwhile, some people like to eat these seeds, and the rest can remove them. Despite all, the next thing is cooking Jackfruit. How to cook jackfruit is an agitating question. So, you are going to get your answers further in this article. Let’s move on to the information given below.

1. How to Cook Jackfruit?

Jackfruit is mainly native to Asia. This fruit has been harvested, cultivated, and enjoyed in India as well as Southeast Asia. Nevertheless, the jackfruit can be also cultivated in any region with a tropical climate. Primarily, India cultivates more Jackfruit than any other region.

Afterward, it is exported everywhere in the world from India. However,  it is grown in the United States too.

Moreover,  Americans are trying to enjoy jackfruit instead of eating pork. Furthermore, it is a good practice to become vegetarian by trying vegetables like jackfruit.

You must be wondering about how to cook jackfruit if trying it for the first time. Nevertheless, jackfruit is a great option to eat.

Nowadays, most of us are trying to switch to vegetarian meals or vegan options rather than meat. It is more likely a pulled pork during cooking. However, if you have not seen jackfruits until now.

But, they are extraordinary exotic fruits to eat. As for the description of jackfruit, these have large sizes. And it has plenty of spikes all over the jackfruit’s skin. Moreover, it has green-colored skin, which sometimes varies towards brownish-green.

The guide below has many things that you would like to know about Jackfruit. Furthermore, it also includes various delicious recipes that you can cook with Jackfruits. Also, you can cook jackfruit in many ways. So, let’s figure out all the details on how to cook jackfruit. 

2. Prepare the Jackfruit for Cooking

Preparing jackfruit for cooking is an easy task. However, you just need to know the steps to prepare only once. The rest of the time, you will remember.

• Firstly, there is a sticky latex sap inside every jackfruit.
• Secondly, clean the surface to prepare the jackfruit.
• Now, oil both your palms and the knife as well.
• If you are using a chopping board, oil it as well.
• Start cutting the jackfruit into halves.
• Then, make quarters out of the halves.
• It will help you take out four large pieces from each section of the jackfruit.
• Now, discard the white core, which is present at the center of the jackfruit.
• It’s too rigid to eat, so it’s better to discard it.
• Moreover, removing the core is also hard, so make sure it’s away from your body for safety reasons.
• Afterward, discard the fruit pods. These are present in the fibrous flesh of the jackfruit.
• Further, each fruit pod consists of a tough seed.
• You have to remove the seeds before eating.
• Meanwhile, you can do this with a knife or your fingers as well.
• Furthermore, you can use the seeds by roasting them and can eat them later.

3. Nutritional Value of Jackfruit – How to Cook Jackfruit?

• Its edible pulp contains 74% of water.
• Carbohydrates: 23%
• Protein: 2%
• Energy: 95 kcal per 100 grams
• Fat: 1%

• It is a source of dietary fiber.
• Vitamin A: 1%, vitamin B1: 9%, vitamin B2: 5%, vitamin B3: 6%, and vitamin B5: 5%
• Vitamin B6: 25%, vitamin B9: 6%, vitamin C: 17%, and vitamin E: 2%
• Calcium: 2%
• Zinc: 1%
• Iron: 2%
• Manganese: 2%
• Potassium: 10%
• Magnesium: 8%
• Phosphorus: 3%

4. 04 Easy Recipes with Jackfruit

Following are the three easy and delicious recipes that you can prepare with the Jackfruit.

4.1. Jackfruit Curry – How to Cook Jackfruit?

Gather all the essential mentioned ingredients given below to make the recipe well:

4.1.1. Ingredients to Gather

You will have to gather the following ingredients for pressure cooking jackfruit, onion paste, and tomato paste.

4.1.1.1. Pressure Cooking the Jackfruit

• Unripe Jackfruit: 250 grams
• Salt: ¼ teaspoon
• Turmeric Powder: 1-2 pinches
• Water: As per requirement to pressure cook jackfruit

4.1.1.2. Preparing Onion Paste

• Large Onion: 1 or ¾ cups of chopped onions
• Water: 1-2 tablespoons

4.1.1.3. Preparing Tomato Masala Paste

• Large tomatoes: 1 piece of 150-160 grams
• Garlic: 8-10 small sized cloves
• Cilantro leaves: 2 teaspoons
• Mint leaves: 1 tablespoon
• Ginger: 1 inch or 2 teaspoons

4.1.1.4. To Cook Jackfruit Curry

• Oil: 2 tablespoons
• Cinnamon: 1.5 inches
• Black Cardamom: 1 piece
• Caraway Seeds: ½ teaspoon
• Green Cardamom: 4 pieces
• Cloves: 4
• Indian Bay Leaf: 1 small-medium
• Red Chilli Powder: 1 teaspoon
• Water: 1.25 cups (as required)
• Salt: To Taste
• Garam Masala: ½ teaspoon
• Cilantro Leaves: 2 tablespoons
• Curd: 3 tablespoons
• Coriander Powder: 1 teaspoon
• Turmeric Powder: ¼ teaspoon

4.1.2. Steps to Follow

Given below are the separate steps to prepare the above-mentioned things.

4.1.2.1. Pressure Cooking the Jackfruit

• Firstly, apply the oil on your knife, palms, and chopping board as well. It will help not get the sticky substance on your palms.
• Secondly, peel the jackfruit, and rinse it well.
• Thirdly, chop the Jackfruit and discard the seeds out of it.

• Also, removing or keeping the jackfruit’s seeds is entirely your choice.
• You can slice off the peel if it’s too hard.
• Meanwhile, if you are using readily chopped jackfruit, just wash it in water.
• Add the chopped pieces of jackfruit to the pressure cooker.
• Now, add 1-2 pinches of turmeric powder.
• Also, add ¼ teaspoon of salt to it.
• Pour sufficient water that cover the pieces of jackfruit.
• Pressure cook it for 8-9 minutes or 3-4 whistles. Do it on a medium flame.
• Wait until the pressure goes down and detach the lid of the cooker.
• Afterward, drain all the water out of it.
• Lastly, keep the pressure-cooked jackfruit pieces aside.

4.1.2.2. Preparing Onion Paste

• First of all, prepare the Onion paste, while the jackfruit is pressure cooking.
• Then, take a jar and add ¾ cup of chopped onions.
• Next, grind it well to make a smooth paste.
• Remember, not to add any water to it.
• Finally, take out the paste and keep it in a bowl.

4.1.2.3. Preparing Tomato Masala Paste

• After preparing the onion paste.
• First, take a jar and add ¾ cup of chopped tomatoes.
• Also, add 2 teaspoons of chopped ginger.
• Now, add 2 teaspoons of chopped garlic.
• Add 1 tablespoon of washed mint leaves.
• Also, add 2 tablespoons of chopped cilantro leaves.
• Next, grind it well to make a smooth paste.
• Keep it aside in a bowl.

4.1.2.4. To Cook Jackfruit Curry

• Take a pan and heat the 2 tablespoons of oil into it.
• Now, add the caraway seeds, cinnamon, cloves, and green cardamoms.
• Further, add bay leaf and black cardamom.

• However, you can smoothly crush the cardamoms a little before adding them.
• Also, add all these spices in the quantity mentioned above.
• Let the spices crack for less than a minute, so they won’t get roasted or ruined completely.
• Now, add the previously prepared onion paste.
• While adding onion paste, you can cover the pan with a lid if it splutters too much.
• Furthermore, stir-fry the paste till it gets a golden brown color.
• Afterward, add the tomato masala paste and mix it well.
• Stir-fry the gravy till it starts leaving the oil out of it. The oil will come out and the gravy will become shiny enough.
• Do it on a low to medium flame.
• Next, add ¼ teaspoon of turmeric powder, 1 teaspoon of red chili powder, and 1 teaspoon of coriander powder.
• Saute everything together for a minute.
• Furthermore, turn the flame off and add curd to it.
• After adding curd, quickly begin mixing it in the gravy well.
• Saute the gravy with curd till it begins releasing oil from the sides.
• Remember, not to leave curd without mixing, the texture could get ruined if you do so.
• Moreover, add the measured quantity of water given above.
• Mix gravy with water and add salt to taste.
• When the curry begins simmering, you can add more water if needed.

4.1.2.5 Cooking Procedure

• During the simmering, when the oil starts speaking, add the cooked jackfruit to it.
• Cover the pan with a lid, and let it cook for 8-9 minutes.
• Sprinkle the garam masala powder after cooking.
• Turn off the flame and add cilantro leaves.
• Mix a little and your jackfruit curry is ready. 

4.2. Jackfruit Mango Smoothie – How to Cook Jackfruit?

Gather all the essential mentioned ingredients given below to make the recipe well:

4.2.1. Ingredients to Gather

• Ripe Jackfruit Pods: 2 cups
• Dairy-free Milk: 1 cup
• Pure Vanilla Extract: 2 teaspoon
• Cardamom: ⅛ teaspoon
• Frozen Mango Chunks: 1 ½ cups
• Vanilla Protein Powder: ½ scoop (optional)

4.2.2. Steps to Follow

Given below are the steps to follow for preparing the Jackfruit Mango smoothie:

• Firstly, take a blender.
• Secondly, add the jackfruit pods with milk and frozen mango chunks.
• Next, blend all together a little.
• Now, add cardamom, protein powder, and vanilla to the blender.
• Further, blend everything until there are no chunks visible of mango and jackfruit.
• Now, pour the jackfruit mango smoothie into a transparent glass.
• Moreover, you can garnish it with the nuts and cherries you like.
• And it’s ready to enjoy!

4.3. Vegan Reuben Jackfruit Sandwich – How to Cook Jackfruit?

Given below are the ingredients that you must have to prepare this recipe. Also, follow the instructions to perfectly cook the recipe.

4.3.1. Ingredients to Gather

Gather all the essential mentioned ingredients given below to make the recipe well:

4.3.1.1. Preparing Jackfruit for Sandwich

• Jackfruit in water or brine: 2 cans
• Vegetable broth or the gluten-free beer: 1 cup
• Dried rosemary: 1 tablespoon
• Turmeric or mustard powder: ½ teaspoon

• Red beet juice: 1 cup
• Salt: ½ teaspoon
• Dried sage: 1 tablespoon
• Paprika: 1 teaspoon
• Whole peppercorns: 1 tablespoon

4.3.1.2. Sandwiches Fixings

• Toasted gluten-free bread: 12 slices
• Vegan 1000-island dressing for each sandwich: 1 tablespoon
• Vegan sauerkraut: 1 cup
• Soy-free cheese (vegan): 8 slices

4.3.2. Steps to Follow – How to Cook Jackfruit?

Given below are the separate steps to follow for preparing the Vegan Reuben Jackfruit Sandwiches:

4.3.2.1. Preparing Jackfruit for Sandwich

• Firstly, apply oil on your palms and knife. 
• Then, drain the jackfruit and rinse it well.
• Use your fingers to shred the jackfruit and remove the seeds as well.
• Next, add the rest of the ingredients with the jackfruit to a bowl.
• Mix it well to blend it all.
• Cover the bowl and put it in the fridge to get marinated for 1-2 hours.
• You can put it overnight in the fridge to get the best flavor out of it.
• Now, drain the jackfruit out of the bowl.
• Add it to a frying pan and stir-fry it for 6-8 minutes.

4.3.2.2. Sandwiches Fixings

• First, take a slice of gluten-free bread.
• Second, take a spoonful of marinated jackfruit and place it on the bread.
• Third, top it with sauerkraut and a slice of vegan cheese. Adding cheese is optional, you can add it if you like.
• Further, drizzle it with a thousand-island dressing style in vegan.
• Moreover, you can eat it simply open-faced or can add a second slice over it.
• Meanwhile, you can also make it in a panini maker.
• If you do so, then don’t toast the bread.

4.4. Jackfruit Tacos with Carnitas – How to Cook Jackfruit?

Given below are the ingredients that you must have to prepare this recipe. Also, follow the instructions to perfectly cook the recipe.

4.4.1. Ingredients to Gather

Gather all the essential mentioned ingredients given below to make the recipe well:

4.4.1.1. Avocado Salsa

• Kosher salt: 1 ¼ teaspoons
• Pitted Hass avocado: 1 medium-sized
• Fresh lemon juice: 1 tablespoon
• Ground cumin: ⅛ teaspoon
• Water: 3-6 tablespoons, as required
• Without husks tomatillos: 3 medium-sized
• Fresh cilantro leaves: 1 cup

4.4.1.2. Jackfruit Carnitas

• Newly packed jackfruit cans: 3 (pour them into water, rinse well, drain and squeeze to prepare)
• Fresh orange juice: 5 tablespoons
• Dried oregano: 1 tablespoon
• Neutral cooking oil: ¾ cup, add more if required
• Ground cumin: 2 tablespoons
• Black pepper: 1 teaspoon
• Kosher salt: 2 ½ teaspoons, as required

• Warmed corn tortillas: 10
• Lemon wedges
• Pico de gallo
• Fresh cilantro leaves

4.4.2. Steps to Follow – How to Cook Jackfruit?

Given below are the separate steps to follow for preparing the Jackfruit Tacos with Carnitas:

4.4.2.1. Avocado Salsa

• First of all, take a large skillet and heat it on medium flame.
• Then, add tomatillos to it and cook it by turning for a while.
• Do it for 12-14 minutes.
• Now, let it cool down for 20 minutes.
• Next, take a blender.
• Furthermore, place the avocado, tomatillos, lemon juice, cumin, salt, and cilantro in the blender.
• Now, add 3 tablespoons of water to it and blend it all.
• Also, do it for a minute to make a smooth paste.
• Further, add 3 more tablespoons of water to it.
• Water can be added as needed to make a pouring consistency.
• Lastly, cover it and let it cool to serve.

4.4.2.2. Jackfruit Carnitas

• Firstly, remove the non-shredded core of the jackfruit from its outer part and take out the pieces.
• Put it aside.
• Secondly, discard the seeds from the shredded part.
• Now, put the shredded jackfruit in a bowl, and shred more with your hands.
• Chop the seed pods and cores well so they can get a similar texture to shredded jackfruit.
• Next, add them with jackfruit in the bowl.
• Further, add oil, cumin, black pepper, oregano, crushed red pepper, and salt to it.
• Also, add 2 ½ tablespoons of the orange juice.
• Moreover, toss everything well to combine evenly.
• Now, heat a bigger skillet on a medium flame.
• Add the jackfruit mixture that is just prepared and mix it with a spatula.
• Let it cook by turning and pressing until it becomes golden brown.
• Do it for 25-35 minutes, add oil if needed.
• Turn off the flame and remove the skillet from the heat.
• Next, add the remaining 2 ½ tablespoons of orange juice to it and stir it well.

• Furthermore, season it with more salt according to taste, as needed.
• Place the ¼ mixture of jackfruit into each tortilla.
• Sprinkle it with cilantro and pico de gallo to garnish it gracefully.
• Serve it with the avocado salsa.
• Also, add lemon wedges while serving.
• And it’s ready to eat!

4.4.2.3. Additional Notes – How to Cook Jackfruit?

• You can store the avocado salsa in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• It will be readily available for up to 2 days.
• Also, search for the young green jackfruit in cans of water.
• Further, find it at South Asian markets or online grocery stores.

5. Conclusion 

Jackfruit is a huge fruit, which grows on trees. while it often confuses people with its shape. However, it’s not difficult to prepare and cook it. Still, you should know how to prepare and cook the dishes with it.

This fruit mainly originated in the climate of Thailand, India, and Bangladesh. Also, this weird-looking fruit is getting popular on the grocery lists of North Americans. However, once you know how to make dishes with it.

Nonetheless, you will like it too. Meanwhile, we gathered three special recipes mentioned above for you to make. Even if you don’t like one, you will like the other. So, try these amazing recipes and enjoy the meals with your family.

Moreover,  if you have read this far, then I hope you have gotten your answer on how to cook jackfruit! Also, do not forget to try and substitute meat with jackfruit in your meal.

Last Updated on October 16, 2023 by Sanjana