This easy jackfruit curry is a comforting and hearty vegan meal that's packed full of flavour and great for a weeknight dinner. The jackfruit helps to add a 'meaty' texture, absorbing the flavours of the rich, creamy sauce.
Who's in the mood for comfort food? I certainly am, as always. That's where this jackfruit curry comes in handy. I've been making this recipe for a long time, and I'm surprised that it's taken me so long to finally share it on the blog. Regardless, I'm excited that it's finally here. And if you're a fan of comfort food like myself, I totally recommend you give this one a go!
Easy jackfruit curry
This jackfruit curry is simply phenomenal and even fussy eaters will love it! The flavor is rich and savory, with a perfect amount of spice. For this recipe, we're making a homemade spice blend using peppercorns, cumin seeds, chilli flakes and coriander seeds which tastes absolutely phenomenal, especially when paired with simple aromatics (garlic, onion and ginger).
This recipe uses fresh tomatoes which create a lot of depth when cooked down. The addition of coconut milk makes a creamy, rich sauce which pairs incredibly well with the jackfruit. Serve the jackfruit curry for a weeknight dinner, paired with vegan naan, and you'll want to go back to this recipe over and over again!
What is jackfruit?
Jackfruit is a fruit variety that grows in Asia, Africa and South America. When ripe, jackfruit has a fresh, subtly sweet flavor. Young jackfruit, however, is neutral in flavor. This is the variety that you find in cans in grocery stores. The texture is chewy and 'meaty', resembling that of pulled pork or chicken. For this reason, it's a very popular ingredient to use in plant based cooking.
How to make jackfruit curry
Start by making the spice blend. Use a pestle and mortar to lightly crush the peppercorns, cumin seeds, coriander seeds and chilli flakes until thoroughly combined and smelling incredible.
Next, heat some olive oil in a large non-stick pan or skillet over a medium heat. Add the spice blend and a couple of bay leaves. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring around once every minute, until fragrant. Discard the bay leafs.
Now add the garlic, ginger, onion, and fresh tomatoes. Cook for 7-8 minutes, stirring frequently, until the tomatoes have fully softened and broken down.
Meanwhile, drain the jackfruit and pull apart the strands using your hands or a fork. Then, add it to the pan together with turmeric, dried thyme, paprika and salt. Continue cooking for around 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the jackfruit starts to crisp up and brown.
Now add coconut milk and vegetable stock. Bring to a light simmer, cover and cook for 15 minutes, stirring once every couple of minutes, until the sauce is thick and creamy.
Serve the jackfruit immediately with rice and any other side dishes of your choice. Enjoy!
How to store jackfruit curry
This jackfruit curry is a great recipe for meal prep! You can store it in an airtight container for 3-4 days in the fridge, reheating on the stove or in the microwave.
It's also a freezer-friendly meal. To freeze, transfer to freezer-friendly bag, leaving a bit of room for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw fully in the fridge before reheating either in the microwave, or on the stove.
When reheating, add extra coconut milk or vegetable broth if the texture is too thick.
You will love this recipe!
It is ...
- Packed full of flavour. The spices work really well together and the addition of coconut sugar brings in a subtle sweetness that really makes the dish pop.
- Comforting and cosy. The perfect dinner to enjoy at the end of any day!
- Easy to make with uncomplicated ingredients.
- Great for vegans and non-vegans alike. Curries like this are the type of versatile dish that anyone can enjoy.
- Gluten-free.
- Freezer-friendly and great for making ahead of time! I'd recommend making a huge batch, because chances are, you'll want to eat it over and over again.
Other jackfruit recipes you'll love
If you love jackfruit, you will love pulled jackfruit to serve in burgers and sandwiches as a pulled pork alternative. Also, be sure to try my wild rice soup with jackfruit for a cozy weeknight meal.
Let me know in the comments: what's your favourite thing to cook with jackfruit? If you give this easy vegan curry recipe a go, be sure to tag me on Instagram (@ohmyveggies) so I can see your recreations, and leave your feedback in the comments below together with a star rating.
Equipment
- Pestle and mortar
- Frying pan or skillet
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp peppercorns
- 1 tbsp cumin seeds
- 1 tbsp coriander seeds
- ½ tbsp chilli flakes
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tbsp ginger grated
- 1 large onion diced
- 2 cups tomatoes diced
- 1 can jackfruit
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 can coconut milk
- 1 ½ cups vegetable stock
Instructions
- Make the spice blend. Use a pestle and mortar to lightly crush the peppercorns, cumin seeds, coriander seeds and chilli flakes until thoroughly combined and smelling incredible.2 tbsp peppercorns, 1 tbsp cumin seeds, 1 tbsp coriander seeds, ½ tbsp chilli flakes
- Heat the olive oil in a large non-stick pan or skillet over a medium heat. Add the spice blend and a couple of bay leaves. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring around once every minute, until fragrant. Discard the bay leafs.1 tbsp olive oil, 2 bay leaves
- Add the garlic, ginger, onion, and fresh tomatoes. Cook for 7-8 minutes, stirring frequently, until the tomatoes have fully softened and broken down.2 cloves garlic, 2 tbsp ginger, 1 large onion, 2 cups tomatoes
- Drain the jackfruit and pull apart the strands using your hands or a fork. Then, add it to the pan together with turmeric, dried thyme, paprika and salt. Continue cooking for around 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the jackfruit starts to crisp up and brown.1 can jackfruit, 1 tsp turmeric, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp salt
- Add coconut milk and vegetable stock. Bring to a light simmer, cover and cook for 15 minutes, stirring once every couple of minutes, until the sauce is thick and creamy.1 can coconut milk, 1 ½ cups vegetable stock
- Serve immediately with rice and any other side dishes of your choice.
Video
Notes
- Store the jackfruit curry in an airtight container for 3-4 days in the fridge, reheating on the stove or in the microwave.
- To freeze, transfer to freezer-friendly bag, leaving a bit of room for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw fully in the fridge before reheating either in the microwave, or on the stove.
- When reheating, add extra coconut milk or vegetable broth if the texture is too thick.
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