You're in for a treat with this Vegan General Tso's Jackfruit recipe! It's a delightful and one-of-a-kind take on the traditional Chinese favorite. Our homemade sauce blends sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors to perfection, perfectly complementing the tender jackfruit.
Check out my blog for other delicious jackfruit recipes, like Vegan Cansi, Jackfruit Humba, or my Jackfruit Smoothie. They're full of flavor and incredibly versatile!
What is Vegan General Tso’s Jackfruit?
Vegan General Tso's Jackfruit is like a new spin on the classic Chinese dish General Tso's Chicken! Originating in Hunan province, China, the original dish featured deep-fried chicken in a sweet and spicy sauce. It got all the same flavors you love, but with a more compassionate twist.
Instead of chicken, I made this vegan recipe with jackfruit, a tropical fruit that has a meaty texture. And let me tell you, it's so good you won't even miss the chicken. The sweet and spicy sauce is the perfect match for the juicy jackfruit pieces, all fried up to a perfect golden brown.
It's no wonder this stir fry dish is becoming so popular with plant-based diets on the rise. So if you're looking for a new culinary adventure, give this saucy Vegan General Tso's Jackfruit a try and experience the deliciousness for yourself!
Health Benefits of Jackfruit:
- Helps in healing cancer.
- Weight loss agent.
- Reduces blood pressure.
- Improves digestion.
- Helps in healing insomnia.
- Diabetes friendly.
- It maintains healthy eye and skin.
- Helps in treating ulcer.
- Supports the bone.
- Boosts nerve system.
Tips and Procedures:
Substitutions and Variations:
- Tamari can be replaced with regular soy sauce if needed.
- Adjust the level of spiciness by increasing or decreasing the amount of red chili flakes. You may also use red pepper flakes, whichever is available.
- If you want to use a young jackfruit, just make sure to parboil for 5 minutes before proceeding with the recipe. It will make the jackfruit tender and removes its bitter taste.
- Feel free to garnish with coriander, steamed broccoli or any vegetable of your choice.
Storage:
- Fridge: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezer: If you want to freeze the dish, do so without the bell peppers, as they might become mushy upon thawing. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
- Counter: It's recommended to serve and consume the dish immediately for the best taste and texture. Leftovers should be promptly stored following the storage guidelines.
How to Make Vegan General Tso’s Jackfruit:
Listed below are all the ingredients you will need:
- rice vinegar
- tamari
- hoisin sauce
- dark soy sauce
- garlic powder
- red chili flakes
- cornstarch
- turmeric powder
- olive oil
- sweet onion
- canned green jackfruit in brine
- salt
- ground black pepper
- red bell pepper
- sesame seeds
- green onions
In a bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, tamari, hoisin sauce, dark soy sauce, garlic powder, red chili flakes, cornstarch, and turmeric powder; set aside.
Add oil to a heated skillet over medium heat. Sauté sweet onions for 2 minutes while stirring constantly. Add in the jackfruit and continue sautéing for 3 minutes.
Pour the hoisin mixture and mix well. Let it simmer for a couple of minutes over medium-low heat:
Season with salt and ground black pepper.
Turn off the heat and stir in the sliced bell peppers:
Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve immediately with chopped green onions. Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes, jackfruit is vegan as it's a plant-based fruit and not derived from animals.
Jackfruit is ready to eat when its flesh is soft, fragrant, and easily separable, usually indicating ripeness.
Yes, jackfruit can be eaten raw, especially when fully ripe, offering a sweet and tropical flavor.
Vegan General Tso’s Jackfruit
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons tamari
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
- ½ teaspoon cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ cup sweet onion thinly sliced
- 3 cups canned green jackfruit in brine (20 oz) drained
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 red bell pepper quartered
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons green onions chopped
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, tamari, hoisin sauce, dark soy sauce, garlic powder, red chili flakes, cornstarch, and turmeric powder; set aside.
- Add oil to a heated skillet over medium heat. Saute sweet onions for 2 minutes while stirring constantly.
- Add in the jackfruit and continue sauteing for 3 minutes.
- Pour the hoisin mixture and mix well. Let it simmer for a couple of minutes over medium-low heat.
- Season with salt and ground black pepper.
- Turn off the heat and stir in the sliced bell peppers.
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve immediately with chopped green onions.
Notes
- If you want to use a fresh green jackfruit, just make sure to parboil for 5 minutes before proceeding with the recipe. It will make the jackfruit tender and removes its bitter taste.
Watch The Recipe Video!
Gen says
This recipe is amazing! I added double the red chili flakes to make it spicer!
Lainey says
Hello Gen! Thank you for trying out this recipe. It is truly amazing. It seems that you love spicy foods. You might want to try my spicy recipes here. Enjoy browsing!
Joy says
Still one of my favorite dishes to make for the holidays!
Simply Bakings Kitchen Team says
Aww, that makes me so happy to hear! It’s such a cozy dish for the holidays, right? Do you usually serve it for Christmas dinner or potlucks?