A vegan take on Jamaican curried goat, this Curried Jackfruit recipe has the perfect balance of spice and a texture. If you’ve never tried jackfruit before, this recipe will fool you into thinking you’re eating meat!
Happy Sunday! This week has flown by so fast. I spent most of the week working, and barely had time to cook. I was so thankful for the can of green jackfruit that I had hiding in the back of my pantry because I knew I could use it to make a quick and delicious dinner.
What is jackfruit?
Jackfruit is a strange looking fruit that is native to India, but it’s also grown in many tropical regions, including Jamaica. One characteristic of jackfruit is its large size (it reminds me of a really big pear). Jackfruits also have a prickly green outer skin. Growing up, my favorite time to eat jackfruit was when the flesh inside ripened and turned yellow. Ripe jackfruit is very sweet and delicious. Plus, you can boil the seeds to eat as a snack.
Young or green jackfruit has a pretty neutral flavor, which means its a perfect vessel for stews and sauces because it soaks up all the flavor you put into it. In the US, green jackfruit is usually sold in a can. I actually never knew green jackfruit was a thing until I was an adult. I saw people preparing green jackfruit as if it were pulled meat, using it to replace shredded beef or chicken in savory dishes. I’ve made Jackfruit Al Pastor Tacos with Cilantro Lime Crema and love it, but felt like trying something new with green jackfruit this time around. Apologies in advance for the lack of pictures, I made this for dinner and was more focused on eating it than on taking photos 😀
The recipe…
This Curried Jackfruit recipe is my vegan take on curried goat. I seasoned the jackfruit meat the same way I would season goat meat. This meant seasoning the jackfruit with green onions (scallion), scotch bonnet peppers (habanero), thyme, and Jamaican hot curry powder.
Jamaican curry powder is very different from Indian or Asian curry powders! Jamaican curry powder is bright yellow and usually comes in mild or hot. If you make this recipe, I definitely suggest sticking with a hot yellow curry powder, you can reduce the spice by adding water to the curried jackfruit.
Unlike with goat meat, which has to be pressure cooked so that the meat can become tender, jackfruit cooks in just a few minutes, so you can prepare it on the stove. Making curried jackfruit involves a few simple steps:
- Season the jackfruit and set aside for a few minutes to allow the jackfruit to absorb the flavors.
- Sautee some garlic and onions in a large skillet.
- Add the curried jackfruit and water. As the jackfruit cooks, it starts to soften and you can pull the meat apart with a fork. Because green jackfruit does not produce any liquid, it can get very dry, so adding water throughout helps to tenderize the jackfruit and release the flavors. I suggest adding a little bit of water at a time until the jackfruit reaches your desired texture. More water means a softer jackfruit, but too much water will make the jackfruit turn mushy. Mushy jackfruit is a big no no.
Once the jackfruit is cooked, serve over rice and garnish with sliced avocado. Then eat!
Can I use ripe jackfruit?
Yes! Just note that ripe jackfruit is much softer and sweeter than green jackfruit. You won’t have to cook the jackfruit as long, and your recipe will be slightly sweet.
Looking for more curry recipes? Try:
Doubles (aka Curried Chickpea Flatbread)
Trini Grilled Salmon with Cilantro Lime Rice
Share this recipe…
If you make this recipe, be sure to let me know by rating it and leaving a comment below. I would love to hear from you. And don’t forget to tag #sweetandsorrel on Instagram!
Jackfruit Curry
Ingredients
- 1 lb green jackfruit, chopped and drained (I used TJ's Green Jackfruit in brine)
- 2 tbsp Jamaican hot yellow curry powder
- 2 tsp Adobo seasoning
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp chopped thyme, stems removed
- juice of 1 lemon
- chopped scallions (about 2 stalks)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- salt and pepper
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- To a large bowl, add green jackfruit, curry powder, adobo, paprika, tomato paste, thyme, lemon juice, and scallions. Stir with a fork to ensure each piece of jackfruit is evenly coated with seasonings. Set aside for about 10 minutes to allow flavors to build.
- Heat olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add onions and cook until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another minute. Add seasoned jackfruit and cook until jackfruit starts to brown. Add a little bit of water at a time and continue cooking for 8-10 minutes, or until jackfruit reaches your desired consistency. Jackfruit should be soft but not mushy. Use a fork to pull apart the jackfruit. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve over cooked white rice and garnish with sliced avocados.
Did You Make This Recipe?
Tag @sweetandsorrel on Instagram and hashtag it #sweetandsorrel so we can see all the deliciousness!
