Can You Freeze Jackfruit?

Jackfruit is the largest fruit in the plant kingdom, with each fruit weighing between five to ten kilograms on average. It is a tropical fruit usually found in Chinese and South Asian recipes. While its exterior is thick and tough, the fruit pulp is tasty. However, extracting the pulp can be cumbersome because the fibers and other materials can stick to the skin and be challenging to wash off.

Since jackfruit is a seasonal fruit, it is not available in the market all year round. You get canned jackfruit in departmental stores, but nothing can beat the taste of consuming fresh jackfruit. So, how do you preserve jackfruit? Can you refrigerate or freeze it? We shall discuss all these aspects in this article.

Can You Freeze Jackfruit?

You can refrigerate jackfruit and maintain it fresh for a week. However, freezing jackfruit is the correct option if you require extended preservation. But, we advise you to keep the freezer temperature at 0 degrees Fahrenheit consistently. Otherwise, the fruit can turn soggy during the defrosting process. Theoretically, a jackfruit can remain frozen forever. But, it is best consumed within a month of its freezing.

How Do You Freeze Jackfruit?

The prepping process depends on how you wish to freeze the fruit. You can freeze the entire jackfruit without cutting it. The tough armor-like skin is better at preserving the fruit’s integrity than any amount of prepping you do.

You can freeze a jackfruit in several ways.

Freezing The Entire Fruit Without Cutting

1. Freezing the whole jackfruit without cutting it is the easiest option. However, you require a massive freezer to accommodate the gigantic fruit.
2. Though it is not required to wrap the fruit before freezing it, we suggest that you wrap it in aluminum foil because the sticky substance that oozes out from the fruit can stick to the freezer and affect other foods.
3. Place the fruit directly into the freezer.

Freezing Leftover Jackfruit After Cutting It

No one can consume a jackfruit whole. So there are bound to be leftovers. The best way to preserve the pieces is to keep them attached to the fruit’s rind.

1. You will need a plastic wrap or aluminum foil to cover the exposed portion of the jackfruit.
2. Please ensure not to leave any gaps because exposure to the cold air inside the freezer can cause freezer burn.
3. You can stick the wrapped jackfruit leftovers into the freezer and allow them to freeze.

Freezing Canned Jackfruit

We advise you not to freeze canned jackfruit in its original packaging.

1. Transfer the contents from the can to an airtight plastic container.
2. Leave space at the top for the liquids to expand during the freezing process.
3. Close the lid airtight and note down the freezing date and contents on the sticker.
4. Place the airtight container inside the freezer to freeze the jackfruit.

Freezing Freshly Extracted Jackfruit Pods

You can freeze the freshly extracted jackfruit pods in two ways. One is to freeze the entire pod. The alternative is to break open the pod and remove the seeds. The freezing method remains the same.

1. You can place the fresh pods in a ziplock bag and seal them after removing the air.
2. Alternatively, we suggest using an airtight container for storage.
3. Please squeeze out the excess air from the containers and the ziplock bags before sealing them.
4. We advise labeling the containers before pushing them into the freezer to freeze the fruit.

An Alternate Freezing Method

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. You can also use a silicone mat.
2. Spread the jackfruit pods on the sheet distinctly placed from each other. We advise avoiding the jackfruit pods from touching each other.
3. Push the baking tray into the freezer and keep it for a few hours until the jackfruit pods freeze.
4. Transfer the frozen jackfruit pods to an airtight container or a freezer-safe ziplock bag.
5. We advise keeping the ziplock bag flat in the freezer to prevent the jackfruit pods from clumping together. It is better to stack one bag over the other. However, exerting too much pressure can crush the fruits. So, we do not advise placing other food items above the jackfruit pods.

How Long Can The Frozen Jackfruit Remain Fresh For Consumption?

Ideally, we advise consuming the jackfruit fresh. However, if you freeze it, it is better to consume it within a month because the fruits can lose their moisture and crispiness if stored for extended periods. The entire jackfruit can remain frozen for a longer time. Even the fruit pods attached to the rind can last longer than those frozen separately.

How Do You Defrost The Frozen Jackfruit?

You can defrost the frozen jackfruit by removing it from the freezer and transferring it to the fridge. The frozen jackfruit takes around two hours to defrost thoroughly.

However, we caution that the frozen jackfruit will not be as gummy and chewy as when fresh. The freezing activity affects the fruit’s texture.

You can consume the fruits straight away after defrosting. It is also possible to reheat the preserved jackfruit in a microwave for a few seconds. Alternatively, you can reheat the fruit in a skillet on the stovetop for a few minutes. Generally, you reheat the canned jackfruits.

Can You Refreeze Jackfruit?

We do not recommend refreezing jackfruit. It is too tasty to keep inside the freezer. Besides, the texture can undergo irreversible changes with frequent defrosting and freezing.

Can You Freeze Jackfruit Seeds?

Yes, you can freeze jackfruit seeds, but the process is entirely different.

Can You Freeze Cooked Jackfruit?

It is possible to freeze cooked jackfruit, even if prepared in a sauce or a curry dish. Ideally, you place the recipe into a ziplock bag. We advise removing as much air as possible before sealing the bag airtight.

Initially, we advise placing the bag flat inside the freezer. Once the fruit has frozen, you can keep it upright against the sides to save space.

Final Thoughts

Jackfruit is among the tastiest of fruits found in the Asian sub-continent predominantly. Besides consuming it as a fruit, you can use it in various recipes like salads and curry. Therefore, preserving it correctly is critical. So, can you freeze jackfruit? You can easily freeze jackfruit by following the methods described here.