Meaty Meatless Jackfruit Burgers

Looking for a meatless burger alternative that still gives you the meaty texture of a beef burger? These Jackfruit Burgers are here to save the day!

They’re filling, flavorful, and have a great bite to them. And with or without the grill, the smoky flavor will make you feel like you’re at a cookout!

As a pescatarian, I often find myself bringing my own burgers to a cookout. Both these Jackfruit Burgers and Homemade Black Bean Burger Patties are great options to make ahead, bring with me, and throw on the grill!

As a sustainability conscious cook, I’m always looking for delicious meat alternatives to help me lower my ecological footprint, and this burger is one I look to often!

Green tip: Industrial meat production has a huge impact on the environment, especially because of the amount of land it takes to sustain and its high amount of greenhouse gas emissions.

Jackfruit Burger Ingredients

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It’s best to make sure you have everything you need before you get going! As for the jackfruit, you can use fresh jackfruit or canned jackfruit. It’s easier for me to get my hands on canned jackfruit, so that is what I generally use.

Here’s everything else you’ll need:

• Canned young green jackfruit. Or fresh whole young green jackfruit “meat”.
• Onion. Yellow or sweet onions are preferred, but truly any onion will work.
• Flour. I like to use whole wheat but you can also opt for all-purpose.
• Garlic. Fresh raw garlic adds a lot of flavor to these patties.
• Olive oil. To get the right texture.
• Liquid Smoke. I used the Mesquite flavor but you can also opt for Hickory. Use your favorite!
• Hot Sauce. Any will do. This just adds a little kick to your meatless burger patty.
• Onion Powder. For flavor.
• Paprika. For earthiness.
• Salt & Pepper. To turn each of these flavors up a notch.

All About Jackfruit

Jackfruit is, as you may have guessed, a fruit. The “meat” in the jackfruit refers to the edible part of the fruit. It is completely plant-based and naturally vegan.

You will often find jackfruit as a substitute for chicken, pork, and beef because it has a “meaty” texture.

If you are using a whole jackfruit, check here for instructions on how to break it down.

Once you separate the edible “meat” of the jackfruit from the seeds, core, and outer peel, you can cook it. It’s best to boil your jackfruit meat to make it tender.

Then, you can serve it as is or finish it off in the oven, in a frying pan, or on the grill.

Ripe jackfruit is often consumed raw, just like any other fruit. It has a subtle sweetness with lends itself perfectly to desserts.

Young green jackfruit is more neutral in flavor and has a tougher texture. It is safe to consume raw but, in my opinion, tastes much better cooked. Green jackfruit takes on flavor very well and is often found as a meat substitute in vegetarian and vegan dishes.

Jackfruit Burgers Tips and Tricks

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Drain, Rinse, and Dry Your Canned Jackfruit

If you’re buying canned jackfruit, it usually comes in brine. This is great to preserve and flavor it but does give it almost a bitter taste.

Make sure to drain and rinse the jackfruit before adding it your food processor to start with the most neutral flavor. I use a sieve and it works perfectly!

It’s really important that your jackfruit is dry. Adding wet jackfruit to your food processor will make your meatless burger patties soggy.

I typically lay a clean, dry kitchen towel on a chopping board and lay the rinsed jackfruit in a single layer on top. Then, I take a second kitchen towel to push down on top of the jackfruit to pat it dry.

Quick note: I use the same canned jackfruit to make these BBQ Jackfruit Nachos and BBQ Jackfruit Quesadillas.

Use a Food Processor or Blender to Make Your Jackfruit Burger Patty Mixture

In addition to your delicious ingredients, you’ll also need either a high-powered blender or a food processor, preferably a food processor!

Once your jackfruit is dry, all you have to do is throw all of your ingredients in and blend until smooth.

You’ll want to keep some texture on the jackfruit, so just blend until the onion and garlic are broken down.

Line Your Baking Sheet

To avoid any sticking, line your baking sheet with parchment paper or a reusable baking mat. No need to grease in this case.

Green tip: Consider these reusable baking mats to reduce your plastic waste! They are nonstick and easy to clean.

Shape Your Meatless Burgers

Once your mixture is ready, it’s time to shape it into patties. Make sure to remove the blade from your food processor or blender before reaching in for some of the jackfruit mixture to avoid any kitchen injuries!

Use clean, wet hands to shape your jackfruit burger patties into 4 equal-sized vegan burgers.

For a more uniform shape, you can use cookie cutters or these pancake molds (as pictured). Just scoop the mixture into the mold and use a spoon to flatten the top.

Storing and Reheating Leftover Jackfruit Burgers

This recipe makes 4 meatless burgers, so you may have leftovers, or you may want to make these ahead of time. If so, these will last in the refrigerator for up to two weeks and in the freezer for up to 4 months.

Just wrap them individually and store in an airtight container or put them in a freezer-safe bag.

To reheat you have several options. Throw them on the grill, over medium heat in a skillet with olive oil, or back in the oven at 400°F for about 20 minutes.

The heating time will vary if frozen. Just make sure your jackfruit burger is heated thoroughly before diving in.

Green tip: Did you know that of the billions of pounds of food wasted annually, it is estimated that 50% of it happens in our homes? It’s always best to avoid food waste as much as you can!

What To Serve Your Jackfruit Burgers With

I’ve topped mine with (vegan) cheese, arugula, a fresh tomato, and caramelized onion and mushrooms and stuck it in between a fresh bun with some mustard.

Just think of this as a juicy burger—the topping ideas are endless! Whatever floats your boat. Try these Old Bay French Fries or Parmesan Truffle Fries on the side!

Why You Should Make These Jackfruit Burgers

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• The texture. Such a meaty texture but with no meat and no soy.
• They’re healthy. For both you and the planet!
• The complex flavors. Smoky, spicy, flavorful!