Vegan Jackfruit Burger Patties (Gluten-Free)

Name: Vegan Jackfruit Burger Patties
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 14 oz canned jackfruit (in brine, not syrup) (rinsed, drained and pat dried with a towel); ⅓ cup yellow onion (roughly chopped); 1 clove of garlic (crushed or roughly chopped); ½ tsp chili powder; ½ tsp onion powder; ½ tsp salt; 1 handful fresh herbs (about ½ cup) (I used a mix of cilantro and parsley); ⅓ cup chickpea flour (or more if needed to help the patties hold well)

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These healthy jackfruit burger patties are SO flavorful and packed with an amazing texture. Includes "meaty" jackfruit, spices and herbs, they are quick and easy to make, which makes this recipe a perfect weeknight dinner! 100% vegan, gluten-free and soy-free.

There is a vegan burger made with a jackfruit patty, tomatoes, red onion and mayo.

Have you used jackfruit in recipes yet? I have a super delicious jackfruit curry stew and a jackfruit chili on my blog if you want to explore more ways to use it in the kitchen.

But this time, I used jackfruit a little differently than adding it to stews to boost their texture and I made vegan jackfruit burger patties!

Wow, the texture was simply perfect! Jackfruit is mostly flavorless and can even be bland. So, I included onion, garlic, spices and fresh herbs to flavor the burger patties and it was so very delicious.

You can play around with the flavorful ingredients and make it your own too. Try making a curry jackfruit patty or a Mexican flavored burger just by switching up the spices and herbs, super easy.

Plus, you will love how well the patties hold together. Isn’t there nothing worse than a vegan burger with the patties falling apart right after the first bite? Well, this won't happen here!

The secret in the amazing texture is the chickpea flour. Not only does it add a bonus amount of nutrition (oh, hello fiber and plant-based protein) and it makes the burger patties completely gluten-free, but also, the chickpea flour acts as a glue and makes all the crushed ingredients hold together. Similar to eggs holding the vegetables together in an omelette, I suppose.

Plus, jackfruit makes for an amazing substitute for meat! It obviously won't taste like meat, but it has a great "meaty" texture that looks and feel like pulled meat, which works perfectly in meat-free burger patties. I like to pulse and avoid a complete blend so there are tiny chunks of jackfruit and veggies. Yum.

I hope you give this recipe a try! ❤️

Close up on a jackfruit patty in a burger to show texture.

What to love about this recipe

Easy and quick to prepare
Can be made ahead
Healthy and oven-baked
Low-in-calorie burger patty that's also packed with vitamins and rich-in-antioxidants
Great recipe to make all year-around
Versatile with different ways to flavor the patties
Vegan, soy-free, gluten-free and dairy-free

What is jackfruit and where to find it?

Yes, jackfruit is a fruit, just like its name makes us believe. But, don't be scared to be making burgers with a fruit, it is often used in all sorts of savory recipes.

Jackfruit is a large exotic fruit growing in Southeast Asia. You can eat it when fully ripe, which gives you a sweet yellow fruit tasting like mango or banana. Or, eat it unripe, where it is green and mostly taste-free. The unripe version also has a "thread" consistency that makes it such a good use in savory recipes to mimic meat or simply to add an interesting texture.

You can find fresh sweet ripe jackfruit in some grocery stores, like the Asian groceries or even at Whole Foods Markets, but you will want to avoid that kind to make this recipe.

What you will need is jackfruit in cans that's stored in brine (NOT SYRUP). You can find canned jackfruit in most grocery stores now, usually in the international section.

More jackfruit recipes you might like

Ingredients you'll need

Canned jackfruit: any brand will work, as long as it is jackfruit in brine and not in syrup!
Onion: any onion works and do no omit! The patties won't actually taste very onion-y after baked, but it adds a lot of amazing flavor.
Garlic: also to flavor the patties, I think fresh is better than powdered.
Fresh herbs: add your favorite! I used a mix of cilantro and parsley, but dill or basil would be great too.
Spices: I included onion powder and chili powder. The spice flavor is mostly mild and not overwhelming, but you will need to add flavoring spices since the jackfruit is mostly tasteless.
Chickpea flour: important to make the patties hold well together! I haven't tried using regular flour yet, so try not to swap.

Showing are the ingredients needed to make this recipe.

How to make jackfruit burger patties

Start by lining a baking sheet with parchment paper and pre-heat the oven to 400º.

Prep the jackfruit

Drain and rinse very well the jackfruit with water in a colander. Then, transfer over a clean towel and pat dry to remove the moisture using your hands.

Process

Add the jackfruit to a food processor and also add the onion, garlic (roughly chopped first), spices and fresh herbs.

Process or pulse until the ingredients are all broken down and mostly fine, but still with some rough texture.

Then, add the chickpea flour and pulse a few more times until combined.

You can use a spatula to finish up combining the flour and then, press some of the mixture in between your fingers: it should be moist and sticky enough to hold well together.

Shape and bake

Use your hands to divide the mixture in 3 equal portions and shape in patties. Place on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the oven for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Once done, make your burger with all your favorite fixings, enjoy!

In process picture: there are hands drying some jackfruit with a towel.

In process picture: showing ingredients in a food processor.

Watch how to make it

Pro-tips

Rinsing the jackfruit is not optional! It comes in a brine and you will want to rinse well to remove that flavor. Don't forget to dry the pieces afterwards so you don't end up with mushy burgers!
Be careful not to over process the ingredients! Keep some texture for best result.
Go gently when flipping the burger patties halfway through cooking as they will still be delicate at that point.
This recipe makes for only 3 patties, but can easily be doubled if needed!

Close up focus on a vegan jackfruit patty on a baking sheet showing the texture.

Serving suggestions and variations

Serve these vegan jackfruit patties with all your favorite fixings! We love simply pairing with tomatoes and red onion, but also try pairing with these caramelized mushrooms and onions.

You can flavor the patties accordingly to how you want to serve them as well. Here are a few serving ideas:

Indian jackfruit burgers: Swap the chili powder for yellow curry powder and/or garam masala for an Indian version. Then, serve with tomatoes, lettuce, onion and mayo (which you can also flavor with herbs and curry flavoring).
Smoky jackfruit patties: add a dash or two of liquid smoke or some smoked paprika to the food processor. This burger would be amazing served with my vegan smoky chipotle mayo or simply with BBQ sauce and caramelized onions.
Spicy jackfruit burgers: add some red pepper flakes or a sprinkle of cayenne pepper. You could also add a jalapeño pepper to the patties.
Mexican jackfruit burgers: make the patties with cumin powder and chili powder, plus include some fresh cilantro. Serve the burgers with quick Mexican pickled red onion, mashed avocado and some pineapple pico de gallo, yum!
Mediterranean jackfruit burgers: include fresh dill and/or parsley in the burger patties and serve with sliced pickles, crunchy lettuce and a vegan tzatziki sauce. Or try this harissa dressing for a little heat!

Storage tips

Leftover jackfruit patties can be kept covered in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the pan just for a few seconds on each sides or use the oven, about 7-8 minutes at 350º or until heated through.

There is a vegan jackfruit burger garnished with tomatoes and red onion on a plate.

FAQ's

Are these patties high in protein?

Not so much. Jackfruit, the main ingredient, is low in protein and calories. I find the burgers to be still filling with the bread and all the fixings, but if you were looking for a higher-in-protein patty recipe than I suggest you to check out my chickpea patties.

Can I pan-fry them on the stove?

Yes you can! Make sure to use a non-stick pan with a little oil so they don't stick and be very gentle when flipping them. Cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side on medium heat or until browned and done to your liking.

Can I make it without a food processor?

If you are good at chopping, yes you can make it all by hand. Simply take your time to chop the ingredients small enough so they can hold together in a mostly uniform patty and stir in the flour in a bowl using a spoon.

Close up on a vegan jackfruit burger with a bite taken off.

More vegan burgers and sandwiches you might like

I hope you like this jackfruit burger recipe as much as we do! If you try it, please leave a comment below and rate the recipe to let me know how it was. Your feedback is so helpful!

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