Can You Freeze Jackfruit?

Jackfruit is the largest vegetable fruit in the world, and while it’s mainly sold in Chinese and Southeast Asian markets, it is starting to become more widespread as a vegan alternative to meat, as it has a similar texture.

Jackfruit can be time-consuming to prepare, as the rind is extremely thick, and tough to cut into. 

To make matters worse, the jackfruit has a latex juice which excretes from the rind and fibrous parts, which is very difficult to remove. Coconut oil does help get rid of this, if you were wondering.

Jackfruit can be prepared in a number of ways, and it’s versatile enough to be a staple ingredient in both desserts and savory dishes. 

Jackfruit has a sweet flavor, and a somewhat gummy consistency. You can also eat the seeds, too. 

The Shelf Life Of Jackfruit

In most places, fresh jackfruit is only available seasonally. You can usually get preserved jackfruit in cans, and both versions can be stored in the freezer for later.

If you keep fresh jackfruit in the fridge, it will last for about a week, maybe slightly less or more depending on how fresh the jackfruit was when you bought it.

If you freeze jackfruit, it will keep for an extremely long time, and it will still be safe to eat. For best results, aim to use the jackfruit within a month of freezing, as this will ensure that you use the jackfruit at its best.

When kept in the freezer for a long period of time, jackfruit can get freezer burn, so it’s recommended that you use the jackfruit as soon as possible.

How Do You Freeze Jackfruit?

Freezing Jackfruit Whole

If you want to freeze jackfruit whole, this is the easiest thing in the world. Because the rind is so thick, you don’t need to prepare it for freezing, as it will protect the flesh from freezer burn.

Simply put the whole jackfruit into the freezer. If you prefer, you can put it inside a heavy-duty freezer bag first, in case something else in the freezer decides to spill.

Freezing Leftover Jackfruit Still Attached To The Rind

If you have leftover jackfruit which is still attached to the rind, cover the flesh which is exposed to the air with foil or cling film. Make sure that this is airtight, and freeze the whole thing.

Freezing Jackfruit Pods

Grab either a heavy-duty freezer bag or an airtight container. Transfer the pods into your container of choice, making sure to seal it properly. Label it, and freeze it. 

For best results, freeze the jackfruit pods as soon as you remove them from the rind. 

Freezing Canned Jackfruit

Never try to freeze canned food in its original packaging. Simply decant the canned jackfruit into a rigid, airtight container, leaving some headspace for the liquids to expand as they freeze.

Seal the container tightly, label it, and freeze it.

The Best Way To Thaw Jackfruit

The best way to defrost frozen jackfruit is to put the container straight into the fridge. This won’t take long to thaw, and you’ll be able to use it within a few hours of putting it in the fridge.

It is worth mentioning that jackfruit which has been frozen and thawed will not have the same chewy texture as the fresh version, and it depends on your preferences whether you think this is a dealbreaker or not. 

How To Reheat Thawed Jackfruit

The easiest way to reheat jackfruit is in the microwave. Put the jackfruit on a microwave-safe plate, and reheat for a few seconds at a time until it’s hot.

If you prefer, you can also reheat the jackfruit in a frying pan for a couple of minutes.

Conclusion

Freezing and then thawing jackfruit for later use couldn’t be simpler, and when you factor in how hard it can be to get hold of, it’s worth buying it in bulk and freezing it for a later date.

This will also save you time and money, especially if you can grab it while it’s on offer, and if you prepare it before you freeze it, this will save you some effort when it comes to using it in a dish of your choice. 

Leave a Comment