Jackfruit is a tropical fruit that’s known for its large size and sweet taste. This fruit can be used for cooking, baking, desserts, or smoothies. Jackfruit is abundant during the summer months. Those who enjoy eating jackfruit will want to eat them not just during the summer, but in other seasons as well. Since jackfruit doesn’t last long once it’s harvested, would freezing them be an option?
Can you freeze jackfruit? Yes, you can freeze jackfruit, whether it’s cooked, raw, or packaged. Before you can free them, they need to be prepped first to remove the sticky substances from the flesh. Jackfruit can last up to 1 month in the freezer once it’s prepared and properly stored.
In this article, we’ll go through in detail covering the process for freezing any type of jackfruit.
Can You Freeze Jackfruit?
Jackfruit is a tropical fruit that’s very huge. While the entire fruit can be frozen, it’s best to freeze just the flesh. This part is the only part that’s edible as well. By freezing, you can extend their shelf life by many months.
Due to the high moisture content, jackfruit will have no issue freezing. The only problem you to be aware of is when they thaw. Jackfruit tends to become soft when it thaws. So if you’re looking to eat it fresh, it may not taste as good as when it was fresh.
However, frozen jackfruit is great for using in cooking, making smoothies, and desserts.
Can You Freeze Raw Jackfruit?
Yes, you can freeze raw jackfruit, and they will freeze very well. You should only freeze the flesh of the jackfruit, but it will require prepping to ensure they stay fresh in the freezer.
How To Freeze Jackfruit
Freezing jackfruit is simple but will require some prepping before you can freeze them. Since the fruit has a lot of moisture, and it’s firm, it’s best to flash freeze them first. This will ensure that they won’t stick to each other when it’s freezing.
Below are the steps to prepare and freeze the jackfruit:
- Remove the flesh from the jackfruit. If there are any sticky substances, remove them as well.
- On a clean tray, lay a sheet of parchment paper.
- Place the jackfruit onto the tray keeping them from touching each other.
- Cover the tray with a cling wrapper and place it into the freezer.
- Flash freeze the jackfruit for about 2-3 hours.
- Once it’s completely frozen, remove them from the freezer.
- Immediately transfer the jackfruit to an airtight container or freezer bag.
- If using a freezer bag, press on the bag to remove excess air before sealing it. For an airtight container, check for leaks around the seal in the lid before securing it to the container.
- Label the container or bag with the freezing date and place them back into the freezer.
Can You Freeze Jackfruit Seeds?
If you’re one of those people who enjoy cooking with jackfruit seeds all year long, you can freeze jackfruit seeds. Since this fruit is seasonal, freezing the seeds is a great way to store them for later use. Jackfruit seeds are covered in a white softshell. The shell will need to be removed first before you can freeze the seed.
When it comes to freezing jackfruit seeds, you can either freeze them as a whole seed or a crushed seed. Whole seeds will need to be thawed first before they can be used. The frozen seed will be too difficult to chop or cut.
By crushing the seeds before freezing them, it will be easier for you to chop and prepare them when they are frozen. Doing so will save you time having to wait for it to thaw.
Below are the steps to preparing and freezing jackfruit seeds:
- Remove the seeds from the jackfruit.
- Remove the outer slimy cover and discard.
- Place the seeds in a colander and rinse them for a minute.
- Let it sit for about 5 minutes to drip-dry.
- Using a clean paper towel, gently press on the seeds to remove any excess moisture.
- Transfer them to a container and let them sit at room temperature with the lid off.
- Allow the seeds to air dry for 3-4 days. This will allow the seeds to stay fresh longer in the freezer.
- After 3-4 days, the shell will be brittle, and you can easily peel it off.
- You can crush the seeds or store them whole.
- Transfer the jackfruit seeds to an airtight container or freezer bag.
- If using a freezer bag, squeeze the bag to remove any excess air before sealing it tight. For an airtight container, make sure there are no leaks in the lid before tightening it on the container.
- Label the bag or container with the freezing date and place them into the freezer.
You can freeze jackfruit seeds for about 5-6 months.
Can You Freeze Cooked Jackfruit?
Yes, you can freeze cooked jackfruit. The fruit will freeze well whether by itself or prepared in a sauce such as BBQ sauce or a curry dish.
To ensure the cooked jackfruit will stay fresh while in the freezer, always store them in an airtight container or freezer bag.
If you’re storing cooked jackfruit that contains sauces, it’s best to use an airtight container to store them. Make sure to leave about half an inch of space at the top of the container to allow the sauce to expand.
For cooked, jackfruit without any sauce, freezing them in an airtight container or freezer bag is fine.
For freezer bags, make sure to press on the bag to remove any excess air from it before sealing it. In the freezer, lay them flat on the surface. Once it’s frozen solid, you can stack them on top of each other or stand them up to save space in your freezer.
Can You Freeze Packaged Jackfruit?
You can freeze packaged jackfruit, and it will freeze well. If you’ve bought them from the store, they will be in a vacuum-sealed package. Also, it can either be refrigerated or frozen.
Whether it’s frozen or not, you can place the packaged jackfruit straight into the freezer for storage.
However, if you’ve already opened the package, it will need to be transferred to a freezer bag or an airtight container.
How Long Can You Freeze Jackfruit?
Properly stored, jackfruit will last for up to 1 month in the freezer. After that, the quality of the fruit will start to deteriorate. The jackfruit will become soggy, and it will not taste as sweet as it should.
After a month, jackfruit is still safe to eat and cook with. If you’re going to use it to make a soup or stew, it should be fine since you’ll be mixing it with other ingredients.
On the other hand, eating them fresh after a month will not taste as good as it should.
Related Article: How Long Does Jackfruit Last?
How Do You Defrost Jackfruit?
Defrosting jackfruit will depend on what you’ll be using it for. If you’re going to use jackfruit for soups, stews, or any recipes that require cooking, it doesn’t need to be thawed. Simply remove the amount of jackfruit from the freezer and toss them directly in the recipes while it’s cooking.
For making desserts, making a fruit salad, or eating it fresh, you’ll need to thaw them first. Simply take the number of jackfruit from the freezer and place them into the fridge for about 20-30 minutes to thaw. Once it’s thawed, you can prepare your meal.
Can You Refreeze Jackfruit?
Once the jackfruit has thawed, it’s not recommended to refreezing the jackfruit. This fruit has a very soft texture, and it will become soft when thawed. When refreezing it, and it thaws again, the jackfruit will become mushy.
Other Questions about Jackfruit?
Can you freeze canned jackfruit?
Yes, you can freeze canned jackfruit, but it needs to be transferred to an airtight container first. It’s not recommended to freezing the jackfruit in its original can. The can isn’t designed to handle the freezing temperature of the freezer. If you do freeze it, due to the water in the can expanding, it will break the can apart and cause a mess in your freezer.
Can you freeze jackfruit stew?
Jackfruit stew can be frozen. It’s best to keep them in an airtight container for the best result. When freezing the stew, avoid filling them to the top. As the jackfruit stew freeze, it will expand. Properly stored, it will last for up to 2 months in the freezer.
Can you freeze jackfruit burgers?
We highly recommend that you not freeze jackfruit burgers. While the burger will freeze just fine, but it will become soggy when it’s thawed. Instead, freeze the jackfruit separately. When you’re ready to make the burger, remove the jackfruit from the freezer and make the burger.
Can you freeze jackfruit chili?
Yes, you can freeze jackfruit chili. When storing them in the freezer, it’s best to use an airtight container. Keep about an inch of space at the top of the container to allow the chili to expand during freezing. Jackfruit chili can last for up to 2 months in the freezer.