• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

our recipesĀ + your inbox = the eatmail

Join now

Subscribe for new recipes + 3 fan-favorite ebooks

  • About
  • Contact

Live Eat Learn

Easy vegetarian recipes, one ingredient at a time

free ebook

Subscribe for new recipes + 3 fan-favorite ebooks

  • Recipe Index
  • Vegetarian 101
  • Travel
  • Meal Plans
  • Course
    • Breakfasts
    • Lunches
    • Dinners
    • Appetizers
    • Sweets
    • Drinks
  • Diet
    • Dairy Free
    • Gluten Free
    • Low Carb
    • Paleo
    • Raw
    • Vegan
  • Season
    • Winter
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Fall
  • Ingredient
    • Avocado
    • Bean
    • Cauliflower
    • Chickpeas
    • Eggplant
    • Mushroom
    • Tofu
    • Quinoa
    • View All
  • Collections
    • All Time Favorites
    • Air Frying
    • Budget Friendly
    • Comfort Food
    • High Protein
    • Meal Prep
    • Meatless Monday
    • View All
  • Visit our kombucha site
    Visit our dog food blog
Home Vegetarian Cooking 101 Ingredient Guides Knife Skills

How To Cut Jackfruit

No ratings yet
Recipe Print Share
Share on:
By: Sarah BondUpdated: Dec 18, 2022 Leave a Comment

This post contains affiliate links.

Learning how to cut jackfruit may seem like a daunting task. But once you discover a few simple techniques, you’ll be on your way to making healthy, flavorful recipes with this not-so-foreign fruit.

Jackfruit pods in a bowl

What is jackfruit?

Jackfruit is a large fruit that grows on jackfruit trees, which are in the same family as fig, breadfruit, and mulberry trees. Native to tropical climates like India, Bangladesh, and Thailand, this odd-looking fruit is becoming a popular item on the grocery lists of North Americans.

With a spiky green exterior and yellow, fibrous flesh on the inside, jackfruit can grow up to 3 feet long and weigh up to 100 pounds. In fact, jackfruit is the largest tree-borne fruit in the world! (More on jackfruit benefits and buying tips here!)

Jackfruit on a cutting board

How to Cut Jackfruit

Before you learn how to cut jackfruit, it may seem a little overwhelming. But rest assured, like with other tropical fruits (like cutting dragon fruit) it’s actually a simple process that anyone can master. All you need is a little patience and some time!

Prefer to watch instead of read?

Step 1: Prepare your tools

Inside every jackfruit is a sticky, latex sap, so you’ll need to prepare a few things in advance to reduce the mess. First, make sure you have a clean surface to work on. Some people like to lay down parchment paper, but it’s not completely necessary.

Next, oil your knife and non-dominant hand. You can also wear gloves if you have them. This will really help reduce the stickiness involved with the preparation.

Oiling a knife
Jackfruit on a cutting board with a knife

Step 2: Cut it in half, then quarters

First, cut the jackfruit in half lengthwise. Then, cut each half lengthwise into quarters, leaving four large pieces.

Slicing open a jackfruit
Jackfruit cut in half lengthwise
Jackfruit cut in quarters lengthwise

Step 3: Remove the core

Remove the white core in the center of the jackfruit, which is too tough to eat. When removing the core, it’s important to cut away from your body for safety reasons.

Slicing away a jackfruit core

Step 4: Remove the fruit Pods

Reach in and remove the fruit pods that are tucked between the fibrous flesh. It can help to bend the jackfruit to loosen them up a little bit.

Pulling out a jackfruit pod

Step 5: Remove the seeds

Each fruit pod contains a hard seed that should be removed before eating. Use your fingers or a paring knife to open the pods. Keep the seeds in a bowl so you can roast them later for a healthy and nutritious snack (here’s how to cook jackfruit seeds!)

Jackfruit pods, seeds, and pulp

How to Use Jackfruit

Jackfruit can be used in its ripe or unripe form for many different recipes. Here are a few fun ways to use yours.

Unripe

Unripe jackfruit is often sold canned as “young jackfruit”. This is less sweet, making it great as a vegetarian meat substitute!

  • Tacos and sandwiches: BBQ pulled “pork” sandwiches or carnitas tacos.
  • Soups, stews, and stir-fries: Add unripe jackfruit to jackfruit curries, soups, stews, and stir-fries to add bulk, texture, and flavor. Similar to tofu, unripe jackfruit soaks up flavors quite well.

Ripe

Ripe jackfruit, on the other hand, is very sweet! It can be enjoyed:

  • By itself: Just like any other ripened fruit, jackfruit is great to eat on its own.
  • Add-ins: Add it to jackfruit smoothies, in yogurt, or on top of ice cream for an extra flavor boost.

Storing Jackfruit

Leave unripe jackfruit on the countertop to ripen. Once you’ve cut it open, follow these simple storage tips:

  • Fridge: Cover the cut jackfruit in plastic wrap and store it in the fridge for up to a week. If you’ve removed the pods, it’s best to eat them immediately for the best flavor and texture.
  • Freezer: Store the fruit pods in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2-3 months. When you’re ready for more jackfruit recipes, thaw it in the fridge overnight.
Jackfruit pods in a bowl

How To Tell if it’s ripe

  • Color: When it’s first picked from the tree, jackfruit is a light green hue. As it starts to ripen, it changes to a golden brown color. Some darker brown spots are okay too.
  • Sound: Much like watermelon, you can tap on the exterior of the jackfruit to determine its ripeness. Ripe jackfruit makes a hollow sound, indicating the fruit is starting to mature.
  • Touch: Unripe jackfruit is quite rough in the beginning stages of ripening. Once it starts to change color, it starts to soften as well.
  • Smell: One of the easiest ways to tell when jackfruit is ripe is by the smell. Unripe jackfruit has a relatively neutral smell. Once it starts to ripen, it gives off an intense bubblegum smell. Many people say it’s similar to Juicy Fruit gum.
  • Taste: Last but not least, if you’re still unsure if your jackfruit is ripe, you can always cut it open and taste it. Ripe jackfruit has a similar flavor profile to mangoes or pineapple. When it’s unripe, it’s relatively neutral, but it’s great at soaking up other flavors from broth or marinade.

Jackfruit FAQs

How can you tell if jackfruit has gone bad?

To determine if your jackfruit has gone bad, assess the exterior for large soft black spots that are soggy and wet to the touch. If the smell is “off” or the flavor is not quite right, it’s best to throw it out.

How do you clean your hands after cutting a jackfruit?

If you didn’t wear gloves, the best way to clean your hands after cutting a jackfruit is to rub oil on them and rinse them with soap and warm water.

What is the best knife to cut open jackfruit?

The best knives to use for cutting open a jackfruit are a chef knife, utility knife, or bread knife. Typically, the larger the knife, the easier it will be to cut jackfruit. However, I don’t recommend using your best knife as the latex sap can ruin it.

Jackfruit cut in half lengthwise
Jackfruit pods in a bowl

How to Cut Jackfruit

No ratings yet
Prep: 30 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Author: Sarah Bond
Calories:
Servings: 24 servings
Print Rate
Learning how to cut jackfruit may seem like a daunting task. But once you discover a few simple techniques, you’ll be on your way to making healthy, flavorful recipes with this not-so-foreign fruit.

Ingredients

  • 1 jackfruit

Instructions 

  • Prepare Your Tools: Oil your knife and non-dominant hand. You can also wear gloves if you have them.
    Prepare Your Tools: Oil your knife and non-dominant hand. You can also wear gloves if you have them.
  • Quarter: Cut the jackfruit in half lengthwise. Then cut each half lengthwise into quarters, leaving four large pieces.
    Quarter: Cut the jackfruit in half lengthwise. Then cut each half lengthwise into quarters, leaving four large pieces.
  • Remove Core: Remove the white core in the center of the jackfruit, which is too tough to eat. When removing the core, it’s important to cut away from your body.
    Remove Core: Remove the white core in the center of the jackfruit, which is too tough to eat. When removing the core, it’s important to cut away from your body.
  • Remove Pods: Reach in and remove the fruit pods that are tucked between the fibrous flesh.
    Remove Pods: Reach in and remove the fruit pods that are tucked between the fibrous flesh.
  • Remove Seeds: Use your fingers or a paring knife to open the pods. Keep the seeds in a bowl so you can roast them later for a healthy and nutritious snack.
    Remove Seeds: Use your fingers or a paring knife to open the pods. Keep the seeds in a bowl so you can roast them later for a healthy and nutritious snack.
Did You Make This?

Leave a comment below and tag @liveeatlearn on social media! I love seeing what you’ve made!

Tag on Insta! Leave a Rating Pin on Pinterest

You may also like...

  • Picture of a green jackfruit on a white background
    Jackfruit 101
  • Tacos with jackfruit carnitas on a white platter
    Jackfruit Carnitas
  • Yellow jackfruit smoothie in a glass with a yellow striped straw
    Jackfruit Smoothie
  • Butternut squash on a white background
    Butternut Squash 101
Previous Post
Next Post

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Have a question? Submit your question or comment below.

Rate this Recipe:




Primary Sidebar

Hello

I'm Sarah

A flavor-loving nutritionist and sensory science specialist showing you how to make easy vegetarian recipes, one ingredient at a time.

Let's Meet

Freebie alert!

3 reader-favorite cookbooks delivered straight to your inbox.

Get in now!

Subscribe for new recipes + 3 fan-favorite ebooks

Air Fryer Recipes

Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower

Plate full of crispy chickpeas with a wooden spoon.

15 Minute Crispy Air Fryer Chickpeas

Personal size mozzarella pizza cooked in an air fryer

Air Fryer Pizza

Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

Brussels sprouts on a plate with wooden serving spoons.

The Best 15 Minute Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

Kale chips on a white plate.

10 Minute Air Fryer Kale Chips

Dinner This Week

Vegan tikka masala with naan and rice in a white bowl

M

Chickpea Tikka Masala

Roasted Chickpea Gyros

T

Roasted Chickpea Gyros

Vegan Thai red curry in a bowl on a red background

W

Thai Vegetarian Coconut Curry

Vegan nachos on a black plate on a white background - These vegan nachos are piled high with easy mushroom BBQ "pulled pork" and a cashew-based queso cheese sauce that will knock your dairy-free socks off.

R

BBQ Mushroom Pulled Pork

Roasted Cauliflower Street Tacos

F

Roasted Cauliflower Tacos

Lemon risotto in a bowl with basil on a yellow background

S

Lemon Basil Risotto

As featured on:

3 bonus books!

Join our Eatmail newsletter to get free copies of our top 3 cookbooks, new recipes, exclusive meal plans, and more!

Follow Along

  • Easy Vegetarian Facebook Group
  • Kombucha Brewers Facebook Group
Back to Top
  • Web Stories
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
  • Collaborate
© 2023 Live Eat Learn
Site Credits Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled Support by Foodie Digital