Easy Vegan Jackfruit Burgers - Two Ways (Fried or Baked!)

🛒 Ingredients

Here's what you need to make these delicious jackfruit burgers and the role of each ingredient.

Canned Young Jackfruit. With its neutral taste and interesting texture, canned jackfruit is nature's perfect meat replacement. It quickly takes on flavors of any seasoning and absorbs the moisture of any liquid ingredients to provide the juiciest, most satisfying burger patty. You can find jackfruit in supermarkets (check the international food aisle), health shops, or online. 

Light Olive Oil. Has a high smoke point and helps sauté our aromatic ingredients. Can be replaced with other vegetable oil (like canola or sunflower oil)

Onion. Onion will be sautéd in oil to bring out its sweet flavor profile which makes for a great burger base. You can use red onion if desired. 

Garlic. To give our patty a savory and aromatic boost. You can opt for garlic powder for a milder taste or leave it out altogether.

Fresh Parsley. Adds a bright pop of color and a clean, earthy flavor which lifts up the burger patty. You can swap it for cilantro (coriander) if desired.

Fresh Lemon Juice. Brightens up the mixture and adds a touch of acidity. Opt for freshly squeezed lemon if you can (rather than concentrate from a bottle).

Plain (All Purpose) Flour. Just a small amount is enough to act as a binder to hold the jackfruit mixture together. Replace with cornflour (cornstarch in UK) if gluten-free.

Seasoning (Cumin and Smoked Paprika). Cumin adds warmth and depth, while smoked paprika provides a subtle smoky flavor. You could also add a pinch of garam masala for a richer, spiced undertone.

You'll also need salt and black pepper to help enhance the flavors. 

💡 Expert Tips

• Chop roughly. No need to be precise when chopping up the garlic and onion. We'll blend them later on anyway.
• Squeeze Out the Jackfruit Brine. Do not skip this step or the recipe will fail. Excess moisture from the jackfruit will make it hard to form patties as they will simply fall apart. Squeeze out as much water as possible after rinsing the jackfruit.
• Use Your Hands to Remove Woody Bits. Tear apart any large pieces of jackfruit and remove any hard or woody bits to create a consistent texture.
• Adjust Flour as Needed. If the mixture feels too wet to form into burger patties, add more flour (a tablespoon at a time) until you reach the right texture.
• Let the Mixture Rest. If your patties still aren't coming together, simply refrigerate the mixture for 15–20 minutes and try again. This makes the burgers easier to shape and helps the flavors meld together.

Extra Tip. You can swap out any of the spices or add extra heat with chili powder, cayenne pepper, and chili flakes. You can also add lime juice instead of lemon or a splash of soy sauce to boost the umami flavor. Feel free to put your own spin on it!

📌 Jackfruit Burgers: FAQ

🍔 Assembling the Perfect Burger

While the idea of a perfect burger will differ from person to person, here’s my foolproof method for creating a burger that delivers big flavor with minimal effort.

1. Toast the Buns – Toast your burger buns for a crispy, golden brown finish, or use freshly baked burger buns.
2. Creamy Factor – Generously spread the garlic dill dip (recipe below) or another creamy dip on both inner sides of the burger bun.
3. Add a Crunchy Element – Layer on fresh lettuce, red cabbage, coleslaw, or sliced cucumber for a satisfying crunch.
4. Build on the Acidic Flavor – Add pickles to provide an acidic element.

 🍽️ Serving Ideas

• Crispy Smashed Tater Tots: These golden tots are the perfect partner in crime for our tender jackfruit patties.
• Pan-fried Broccoletti: A gorgeous vibrant side dish that's as easy to make as it is tasty. 
• Dinner Rolls: Pillowy soft and entirely vegan, these tear-and-share rolls are the perfect size to hold your jackfruit burgers.

I love slathering this vegan burger with my homemade garlic dill dip. It's so easy, all you need to do is stir together some vegan mayo, minced garlic, and fresh or dry dill. You can also add a squeeze of lemon juice.

 🔄 Variations

There are endless ways to get creative with these veggie burger patties. They're incredibly versatile and can be adapted to suit a wide range of flavors and cuisines. 

• Spicy – Add heat with chili powder, chili flakes, or cayenne, then serve these with hot sauce or jalapeños.
• Buffalo – Instead of mayo, use buffalo sauce to add moisture to your burgers.
• Sweet & Salty  – Add a sweet element to your patty mixture, such as maple syrup or agave nectar (start with a tablespoon and add more to taste). 
• Korean-inspired  – Add gochujang, kimchi, or soy sauce to your burger mixture or when assembling the burger.

📦 Storage

You can store leftover jackfruit burger patties in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Avoid storing assembled burgers, as they can become soggy.

If you want to freeze these, I recommend freezing the uncooked patties in a single layer on a baking sheet until solid. 

Once frozen, pop them into an airtight container, placing a piece of baking paper between each patty to prevent sticking. They’ll keep well for a couple of months and can be pan-fried or baked straight from frozen when you're ready to enjoy them.