Simple, practical, and full of everyday flavour, Jackfruit Meatballs Tacos is a vegan, vegetarian fusion tacos made with can jackfruit, water, and garam masala in about 55 minutes. The recipe lays out the ingredients and each cooking step clearly, so you can adjust seasoning, texture, and serving size for your own kitchen.

Recipe Snapshot

  • Prep time: 15 minutes
  • Cook time: 40 minutes
  • Total time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 12
  • Category: Tacos
  • Cuisine: fusion

Ingredients

For the jackfruit:

  • 20 oz can jackfruit (drained (green jackfruit in brine), or about 2 cups pelled chopped green jackfruit)
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 tsp garam masala
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder

For the Veggie balls:

  • 1 cup chickpea flour
  • 1 hot green chili (finely chopped or use cayenne to taste)
  • 1/2 tsp garam masala
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp cumin powder
  • 1/3 to 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp finely chopped mint (optional or cilantro, or use 1/2 tsp dried fenugreek leaves (kasoori methi))
  • 1/2 tsp lemon juice
  • 1.5 tbsp garlic paste (or crushed garlic)
  • 1 tbsp ginger paste (or grated ginger)
  • 1 tsp oil + more as needed

Method

  1. For the jackfruit: Combine all the ingredients (jackfruit + water + spices) in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium high heat. about 6 minutes. Cook for another 6 to 7 minutes. Total 14 minutes.
  2. Cool slightly, drain and keep aside.
  3. For the Veggie Balls: Meanwhile, dry roast 1 cup of chickpea flour in a large skillet over medium low heat. Stir every 2 minutes. about 7 to 8 minutes. or dry roast over medium heat and stir every 30 seconds to avoid burning. 4 to 5 minutes. The flour should start to smell nutty and change color slightly. Keep aside.
  4. Using a fork or a food processor shred the boiled and drained jackfruit. Add the spices, ginger, garlic, oil and mix well. Add 3/4 cup chickpea flour and mix well. Add a tbsp flour at a time until the mixture starts to come together, not too sticky, but also not dry. Oil your hands and Shape the mixture by pressing lightly into 1 inch balls.
  5. To pan fry, add 1 to 2 tsp oil in a skillet and heat over medium high heat. When hot, add the jackfruit balls and pan fry for 1-2 minutes on all sides. (total 6 to 7 minutes).
  6. To Bake: Preheat the oven to 410 degrees F / 210ºc. Place the shaped balls on parchment lined baking sheet. Brush oil on top. Bake for 16 to 18 minutes.
  7. I like these balls pan-fried. Serve with marinara and vegan mozzarella in sub sandwich or tacos or over pasta.

Kiyaan Singh’s Kitchen Note

Keep this recipe as a working base: cook once as written, then adjust spice, texture, and serving style for your own table.