Jackfruit Tuna Salad Recipe
Is it chicken? Is it tuna? It’s jackfruit salad!
This jackfruit tuna salad recipe is a unique twist on tuna salad. Most vegan tuna recipes we’ve tried are made with mashed chickpeas, tofu, artichoke hearts, or mock meat so we love to try something different. We’ve long admired the magic of jackfruit, which has a naturally meaty texture that works perfectly in this dish!
Plus, jackfruit carries with it loads of health benefits. It’s rich in vitamin C, B vitamins, potassium, iron, magnesium, and beyond. We’ve tried it in tacos, soups, curries, Sloppy Joe’s, taquitos, and now jackfruit tuna salad, and it always blows our minds. How can such a funky-looking fruit be so meat-like? Magic!
If you’re looking for more jackfruit-based recipes, check out these super-satisfying vegan jackfruit tacos with bbq sauce and crispy jackfruit “pulled pork” tostadas!
The Joy of Jackfruit
Jackfruit has become a vegan superstar in recent years and is frequently used as a substitute for pulled pork, chicken, and other meats. It is also part of the Moraceae plant family, which includes breadfruit, fig, and mulberry. While the flesh of the jackfruit is the most commonly consumed part of the fruit, you can also eat its seeds! Raw jackfruit has a sweet, fruity taste but can easily be turned into a savory and meaty dish with the help of the right spices and cooking techniques. Jackfruit also offers a series of health benefits. One cup boasts 3 grams of protein and fiber, and hefty doses of vitamins A and C along with riboflavin, magnesium, potassium, copper, and manganese. It’s also rich in several types of antioxidants and high in fiber, which helps regulate blood sugar levels.
Jackfruit is also naturally gluten-free, which makes it an optimal vegan meat substitute for those who are sensitive to wheat or just want something a little easier to digest!
How to Serve It Up
Wondering how you can best enjoy this jackfruit tuna salad? Here are some ideas:
- Simple Sandwich – This jackfruit tuna is absolutely delightful when scooped onto a few slices of bread and eaten as a sandwich! Just add some lettuce and maybe some tomatoes and you’re all set for a brilliant and delicious lunch.
- Get Your Greens on – That’s right—turn your jackfruit tuna salad into a mega vegan salad! Just grab a bunch of your favorite greens (spring mix or romaine leaves are perfect) and then throw on some of your jackfruit tuna. Yum!
- That’s a Wrap – If you prefer eating your jackfruit tuna in wrap form, just toss some of it into a vegan tortilla, herby flatbread, or collard wrap and enjoy!
- Make It a Melt – If you’re feeling really ambitious, go ahead and grab your panini press and break out the vegan cheese to make a delicious vegan jackfruit tuna melt! Who ever said eating vegan had to be boring?!
Storing Your Jackfruit Tuna Salad
Your jackfruit tuna salad will keep for up to four days in the fridge when kept in an airtight container. Freezing is not recommended for this recipe.
More Awesome Vegan and Gluten-Free Meat Recipes
Hungry for more? Subscribe to the World of Vegan weekly newsletter and join our community of over 1 million plant-passionate peeps on Instagram (@Vegan), Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube!
Jackfruit Tuna Salad
Ingredients
Jackfruit
- 1 20-ounce can young green jackfruit in brine
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- juice of 1 lemon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup water or low-sodium vegetable broth
Salad
- ½ cup shredded carrot
- ½ cup chopped celery
- 1 scallion, chopped
- 1 cup vegan mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons spicy brown or stone ground mustard
- ½ teaspoon dried dill or 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh dill
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
To prepare the jackfruit
- Open the can of jackfruit and drain the brine. Give the fruit a couple of good rinses to wash off as much of the brininess as possible. Put the jackfruit in a bowl and shred it with a fork.
- In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until slightly translucent. Add the shredded jackfruit, lemon juice, salt, and pepper and stir. Add the water, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Set aside to cool.
To prepare the salad
- In a large bowl, toss together the cooked jackfruit, carrot, celery, and scallion. Fold in the vegan mayonnaise, mustard, and seasonings until well combined. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed.
Notes
- Not sure where to find jackfruit? Many Asian and Caribbean markets carry fresh and canned jackfruit. As it becomes more common in vegan cooking, it’s popping up next to other canned fruits in the grocery store, sometimes in the international or Asian aisle. The spindly fruit can be found in the produce section of some grocery stores and Asian markets but home cooks, beware: it can be a messy challenge to prepare. Keep in mind that young green jackfruit is usually for savory preparations; if you see yellow jackfruit in a can, it’s most likely packed in syrup and not what you want for a dish like this.
Nutrition
This jackfruit tuna salad recipe was inspired by The Main Street Vegan Academy Cookbook by Victoria Moran and JL Fields, recipe by Carmella Lanni, photo by Jackie Sobon (BenBella Books, 2017).
You may also like...
Enter to Win Our Monthly Giveaway!
New winner every month! Drop your name below for a chance to win hundreds of dollars of vegan prizes from our brand partners. You’ll also receive our weekly e-newsletter with plant-based recipes galore!
Leave a Comment
Oh wow, this looks awesome! I love jackfruit!
This one is exciting since I love the chickpea tuna, I wonder how it would go with jackfruit.
Jackfruit has always interested me, but I was too afraid to use it. This recipe really helped me to get over my jackfruit fear and it’s delicious! Before I was vegan, I loved tuna fish sandwiches. I love that this recipe really gives you the smell, taste and very close to the texture of a classic tuna fish sandwich, without the cruelty. Win win!
I was so skeptical about jackfruit in recipes, but this one truly convinced me! It’s amazing!
Jackfruit is magic, plain and simple.
Delicious!
I love jackfruit so much and love this recipe! I was a big fish eater prior to going vegan so I’m so happy this recipe exists 🙂