Young Jackfruit: What Delicious Dishes Can You Make? 3 Must-Try Vegan Recipes with Young Jackfruit

Young jackfruit is a humble yet beloved ingredient in Vietnamese vegan cuisine thanks to its mildly nutty flavor, slightly chewy texture, and excellent ability to absorb seasonings. From rich braised young jackfruit to refreshing sweet-and-sour jackfruit salad, each dish offers a light yet satisfying plant-based experience.

If you are wondering what dishes to make with young jackfruit, join Vô Uý Vegetarian Restaurant in exploring the recipes below—simple, flavorful ideas that are easy to recreate for everyday vegan meals.

Young Jackfruit – A Familiar Ingredient in Vietnamese Vegan Cuisine

Young jackfruit is harvested while still green, before it develops into ripe pods. When properly prepared and cooked, young jackfruit becomes naturally tender and slightly chewy, with a gentle nutty taste. Its fibrous texture is often compared to plant-based “meat,” which explains why it appears so frequently in traditional vegan dishes.

In Vietnamese cooking, young jackfruit is not difficult to prepare as many people assume. With proper boiling, sap removal, and balanced seasoning, it can be transformed into many delicious dishes such as braised meals, stir-fries, and salads. Vegan dishes made from jackfruit are easy to enjoy and suitable for everyone—from long-term vegetarians to those simply looking to refresh their family meals.

What Delicious Dishes Can You Make with Young Jackfruit?

Thanks to its mildly nutty flavor, pleasant chewiness, and ability to absorb spices well, young jackfruit can be adapted into a wide variety of appealing dishes. From hearty braised recipes served with steamed rice to light, refreshing salads, young jackfruit always showcases its versatility.

Below are simple recipes you can try at home to make your vegan meals more interesting and flavorful.

How to Make Vegan Braised Young Jackfruit with Coconut Water

Braised jackfruit with coconut water is a familiar vegan dish known for its light richness and balanced sweet-savory taste. The tender jackfruit absorbs the natural sweetness of coconut water, develops a beautiful color, and pairs perfectly with plain steamed rice. This is an ideal choice for days when you want a comforting, easy-to-cook vegan dish.

Ingredients

For this dish, you only need a few simple ingredients:

• 500g young jackfruit
• 1 stalk of leek
• 1 liter fresh coconut water
• 1 red chili
• Cilantro
• Seasonings: salt, sugar, vegan fish sauce, vegan seasoning powder, ground pepper

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the jackfruit

• Peel the young jackfruit in a bowl of water to reduce sticky sap.
• Rinse several times to remove all sap, then cut into square or rectangular pieces about 3 cm thick to prevent breaking during cooking.

Step 2: Boil the jackfruit

• Bring about 600 ml of water to a boil with a pinch of salt.
• Add the jackfruit and boil for 10–15 minutes until just tender; a chopstick should easily pierce through.
• Remove and rinse with cold water, then drain well to help the jackfruit stay firm when braised.

Step 3: Marinate

• Place the jackfruit in a large bowl, add minced leek and chili.
• Season with vegan seasoning powder, salt, pepper, and vegan fish sauce.
• Mix well and let rest for about 5 minutes so the flavors can absorb.

Step 4: Pan-fry for color

• Heat oil in a pan and gently caramelize sugar until it turns amber.
• Add the remaining leek and sauté until fragrant, then add the jackfruit and gently stir to firm up the surface and create a rich color.

Step 5: Braise the jackfruit

• Transfer the jackfruit to a pot and add about 500 ml of fresh coconut water.
• Simmer over low heat for 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally so the jackfruit absorbs the sauce evenly.
• When the sauce thickens, adjust seasoning to taste, turn off the heat, and garnish with cilantro and sliced chili.

With just a few simple steps, you’ll have a comforting pot of vegan braised jackfruit. The jackfruit is tender and nutty, while the coconut-based sauce is naturally rich and aromatic—perfect with hot steamed rice. Don’t hesitate to try this recipe to bring a fresh twist to your family’s vegan meals.

Unique Vegan Young Jackfruit Salad Recipe

Vegan young jackfruit salad offers a completely different culinary experience, where sour – spicy – salty – sweet flavors blend harmoniously. The slightly chewy young jackfruit combined with fresh greens makes this dish perfect as an appetizer or a light snack.

Ingredients

• 500g young jackfruit

• 50g roasted peanuts

• Lettuce and fresh herbs

• Garlic, chili, shallots

• Lime

• Seasonings: sugar, vegan seasoning powder, vegan fish sauce

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the young jackfruit

• Peel the young jackfruit in water and rinse thoroughly to remove sap.

• Boil for 20–30 minutes until tender but still slightly chewy.

• Let cool, remove the tough core, then shred into bite-sized strands.

Step 2: Prepare vegetables and toppings

• Wash lettuce and herbs, drain well, then cut into short pieces.

• Roast peanuts until golden and lightly crush.

• Slice shallots thinly and fry until crispy.

Step 3: Make the salad dressing

• Sauté minced garlic and chili until fragrant.

• Add vegan fish sauce, sugar, and vegan seasoning powder, stirring until dissolved.

• Turn off the heat, let cool, then add lime juice and adjust to a balanced sweet-and-sour taste.

Step 4: Toss the salad

• In a large bowl, combine young jackfruit, greens, fried shallots, and peanuts.

• Pour in the dressing and gently toss to avoid breaking the jackfruit.

• Let rest for 15–20 minutes so the flavors fully absorb, then plate and sprinkle with extra peanuts.

Once fully seasoned, the vegan jackfruit salad delivers a light sourness, gentle heat, and mild sweetness. It can be enjoyed with rice or as a refreshing snack—equally delicious either way.

Vegan Braised Young Jackfruit with Soy Sauce

Vegan braised young jackfruit with soy sauce has a glossy brown color, rich flavor, and the distinctive aroma of five-spice powder. This dish is especially suitable for traditional Vietnamese vegan meals.

Ingredients

• 1 kg young jackfruit

• 3 cloves garlic

• 2 shallots

• 2 chilies

• 3 teaspoons chili sauce

• 4 teaspoons cane sugar

• 1/3 teaspoon five-spice powder

• Common vegan seasonings

• 8 betel leaves (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare and fry the jackfruit

• Peel the young jackfruit, soak in lightly salted water for 10 minutes, then rinse clean.

• Cut into 2–3 cm pieces, drain well, and deep-fry until lightly golden.

• Remove and place on paper towels to absorb excess oil.

Step 2: Fry the betel leaves (optional)

• Wash betel leaves and cut into thin strips.

• Quickly fry in hot oil until crispy, then remove and drain.

Step 3: Braise the jackfruit

• Sauté minced shallots, garlic, and chili until fragrant.

• Add water, soy sauce, cane sugar, chili sauce, five-spice powder, and vegan seasonings; bring to a boil.

• Add the jackfruit and simmer over medium heat for 5–10 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the jackfruit evenly.

• Turn off the heat, transfer to a plate, and sprinkle fried betel leaves on top.

Through these three dishes, it’s clear that jackfruit is an incredibly versatile and easy-to-use vegan ingredient. From creamy coconut-braised young jackfruit that pairs perfectly with rice, to refreshing vegan young jackfruit salad with balanced sweet-and-sour notes, and finally to rich soy-braised jackfruit infused with five-spice aroma—each dish highlights a different side of this humble ingredient.

Although the flavors vary, all three recipes celebrate the signature nutty taste and gentle chewiness of young jackfruit. With just a few familiar ingredients and a bit of care in preparation, you can easily refresh your family’s vegan menu, making everyday meals more diverse while still keeping them light and healthy.

Health Benefits of Young Jackfruit

Young jackfruit is not only a familiar ingredient in vegan cooking but is also highly valued for its nutritional benefits. Rich in dietary fiber, low in fat, and packed with essential vitamins, young jackfruit is especially suitable for people following a healthy diet, long-term vegetarians, or those managing their weight.

Adding young jackfruit to your daily meals not only makes your menu more diverse but also brings many positive effects on overall health.

Key Health Benefits of Young Jackfruit

• Supports effective weight loss thanks to its high fiber and water content, which helps you feel full longer and reduces cravings.

• Helps lower bad cholesterol, contributing to better heart health.

• Aids in stabilizing blood sugar levels, making it suitable for people who need to control blood glucose.

• Provides antioxidants that help slow down aging and maintain healthy, glowing skin.

• Improves digestive health, helps prevent constipation, and reduces the risk of colon cancer.

Thanks to these practical health benefits, young jackfruit is becoming increasingly popular and appears more frequently in modern vegan menus that promote a green, sustainable lifestyle.

Tips for Choosing Fresh Young Jackfruit for Vegan Dishes

To ensure that dishes made with young jackfruit deliver the best flavor, selecting fresh, high-quality ingredients is essential. Good-quality jackfruit helps braised dishes absorb seasonings better without becoming mushy, while salads retain their naturally chewy, crisp texture.

Helpful Tips for Selecting Young Jackfruit

• Choose fresh young jackfruit with a recently cut stem and visible white sap.

• Look for fruit with a bright green peel, free from dark spots, bruises, or signs of pests.

• Jackfruit spikes should be firm and evenly shaped, not soft or flattened—an indicator of overripe fruit.

• When gently pressed, the jackfruit should feel firm and have no unusual odor.

Selecting quality young jackfruit from the start makes preparation easier and ensures that the final dish retains its signature nutty flavor and pleasant chewiness. If you regularly cook vegan meals, this small tip can make a noticeable difference.

Conclusion

Young jackfruit is a humble vegan ingredient that can be transformed into many delicious dishes, such as vegan braised young jackfruit and refreshing young jackfruit salad, so you no longer have to wonder what to cook with young jackfruit for everyday meals.

If you’d like to enjoy expertly prepared young jackfruit dishes with authentic flavors and high nutritional value, visit Vô Uý Vegetarian Restaurant to experience a diverse, wholesome vegan menu served with care and attention.