Vegan Chinese Jackfruit Stir Fry

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This jackfruit stir fry is everything you want in a quick and healthy meal: it’s packed with flavor, comes together in under 30 minutes, and is completely plant-based. The jackfruit absorbs the savory, slightly sweet stir-fry sauce while taking on a shredded, meaty texture—making it a fantastic meat substitute. It’s customizable, nutrient-rich, and perfect for pairing with rice or noodles.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• Young green jackfruit (canned in water or brine, not syrup)
• Bell peppers (any color, sliced)
• Carrots (julienned or thinly sliced)
• Snow peas or green beans
• Onion
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Soy sauce or tamari
• Hoisin sauce or oyster mushroom sauce (vegan)
• Rice vinegar or lime juice
• Maple syrup or brown sugar
• Cornstarch (for thickening)
• Sesame oil
• Neutral oil for stir-frying
• Optional: chili flakes or sriracha for heat, sesame seeds, green onions for garnish

Directions

1. Drain and rinse the jackfruit. Remove seeds and shred the pieces with your hands or a fork.
2. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Add shredded jackfruit and sauté for 5–7 minutes until lightly browned. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same pan, add a bit more oil and stir-fry sliced onion, garlic, and ginger for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
4. Add bell peppers, carrots, and snow peas. Stir-fry for 3–4 minutes until vegetables are just tender but still crisp.
5. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, maple syrup, cornstarch, and a splash of water.
6. Return the jackfruit to the pan and pour in the sauce. Toss everything together and cook for another 3–4 minutes, until the sauce thickens and coats everything evenly.
7. Drizzle with sesame oil, garnish with green onions and sesame seeds if desired, and serve hot over rice or noodles.

Servings and timing

This recipe serves 4 and takes about 30 minutes total:

• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 20 minutes

Variations

• Make it spicy: Add chili garlic sauce, sriracha, or crushed red pepper flakes.
• Add tofu: For extra protein, stir in crispy tofu cubes.
• Low-sodium: Use low-sodium soy sauce or tamari and skip the added salt.
• Add greens: Toss in baby spinach or bok choy at the end of cooking.
• Use different sauces: Try black bean sauce, sweet and sour, or garlic sauce for a twist.

Storage/Reheating

Let the stir fry cool completely before storing.

• Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.
• Reheating: Reheat in a skillet over medium heat or microwave until hot. Add a splash of water if needed to loosen the sauce.

FAQs

What kind of jackfruit should I use?

Use young green jackfruit canned in water or brine. Avoid sweet jackfruit in syrup, which is meant for desserts.

Do I need to cook jackfruit before stir-frying?

Sautéing it for a few minutes helps remove extra moisture and enhances the texture, but it doesn’t require pre-boiling.

Can I make this oil-free?

Yes. Use a nonstick pan and sauté with a splash of water or broth instead of oil.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Use tamari instead of soy sauce and ensure all sauces are gluten-free.

Can I use frozen vegetables?

Yes, just thaw them first and adjust the cooking time so they don’t become soggy.

What can I serve this with?

Steamed jasmine rice, brown rice, rice noodles, or even quinoa are great options.

Can I make the sauce ahead of time?

Yes. Prepare the sauce in advance and store in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Is jackfruit a good meat substitute?

Yes, its texture makes it great for replacing shredded meat in savory dishes like stir-fries, tacos, and curries.

Can I add more protein?

Definitely. Add edamame, tofu, or tempeh to boost the protein content.

How do I keep the vegetables crisp?

Stir-fry them over high heat for a short time, and don’t overcrowd the pan to maintain texture.

Conclusion

Vegan Chinese Jackfruit Stir Fry is a quick, flavorful, and satisfying dish that’s perfect for anyone craving a savory stir-fry without the meat. With its tender jackfruit, crisp vegetables, and umami-rich sauce, this meal delivers big flavor with minimal effort. Whether you’re cooking for a busy weeknight or meal prepping for the days ahead, this stir fry is a vibrant, versatile addition to your plant-based recipe rotation.

Vegan Chinese Jackfruit Stir Fry

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Vegan Chinese Jackfruit Stir Fry is a bold and savory plant-based dish featuring shredded jackfruit, crisp vegetables, and a tangy, umami-rich sauce. Inspired by classic Chinese flavors, this quick and easy stir-fry is perfect for busy weeknights and pairs beautifully with rice or noodles.

• Author: Laura
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Stir-Fry
• Cuisine: Asian-Inspired

Ingredients

• 1 can young green jackfruit (in water or brine), drained and shredded
• 1 tablespoon neutral oil (like avocado or canola)
• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 1 carrot, julienned
• 1 cup snow peas or green beans
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari (gluten-free if needed)
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce (vegan)
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or lime juice
• 1 teaspoon maple syrup or brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1/4 cup water (for sauce)
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil (for finishing)
• Optional: chili flakes, green onions, sesame seeds for garnish

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Rinse and drain jackfruit. Remove seeds and shred with your hands or a fork.

1. Heat neutral oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Add jackfruit and sauté for 5–7 minutes until lightly browned. Remove and set aside.
2. In the same pan, add sliced onion, garlic, and ginger. Cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
3. Add bell pepper, carrot, and snow peas. Stir-fry for 3–4 minutes until just tender but still crisp.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, maple syrup, cornstarch, and water.
5. Return the jackfruit to the pan and pour in the sauce. Toss to coat everything evenly and cook for another 3–4 minutes until sauce thickens.
6. Drizzle with sesame oil, garnish with green onions and sesame seeds if desired, and serve hot over rice or noodles.

Notes

• Make it spicy by adding chili garlic sauce or sriracha with the sauce.
• To increase protein, add pan-fried tofu or edamame.
• Use tamari and gluten-free hoisin sauce to make it gluten-free.
• This dish works well with fresh or frozen vegetables.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 portion (without rice)
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: undefined
• Sodium: 620mg
• Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Unsaturated Fat: undefined
• Trans Fat: undefined
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 6g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: undefined