
Vegan Masala Recipe
The Best Jackfruit Curry
Tender jackfruit and sweet potato simmer in a coconut curry fragrant with ginger, cumin and garam masala. The sauce is rich, the texture substantial and the leftovers particularly good.
Recipe by Craig LogueHow our recipes are created
From the kitchen
What to expect
Jackfruit gives this curry a tender, shredded texture, while sweet potatoes soften the coconut sauce and round out the spices.
Serving idea
Best served simply
Serve with basmati rice and a simple cucumber salad, or spoon it into warm flatbreads.
Cook the recipe
Method
- 1
Drain and rinse 2 cans jackfruit well, then pull the pieces apart with your hands, discarding any tough cores.
- 2
Set the Instant Pot to Sauté and heat 1 tablespoon coconut oil. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin seeds and 1 1/2 teaspoons black mustard seeds, and cook for about 45 seconds until they start to pop.
- 3
Add 1 large diced yellow onion and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring often, until softened and lightly golden.
- 4
Stir in 6 cloves minced garlic, 2 inches minced ginger, and 1 diced serrano pepper. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring so the garlic does not catch.
- 5
Add 2 teaspoons garam masala, 1 teaspoon ground turmeric, 1 teaspoon coriander, 1 teaspoon sweet or hot paprika, 1 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder, 6 to 8 curry leaves, and 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt. Stir for 30 seconds to bloom the spices.
- 6
Pour in 3/4 cup water and scrape the base of the pot well to loosen any browned bits.
- 7
Add 1 can full-fat coconut milk, the shredded jackfruit, and 3 chopped sweet potatoes. Stir to combine, then cancel Sauté.
- 8
Seal the lid and pressure cook on high for 6 minutes.
- 9
Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then vent the remaining steam.
- 10
Open the pot and stir in 1 can tomato sauce and 4 to 5 cups chopped baby kale or baby spinach. Set the pot to Sauté and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, until the greens wilt and the sauce thickens slightly.
- 11
Stir in 1 tablespoon lemon juice or lime juice and 1/2 cup chopped cilantro. Taste and adjust salt if needed before serving.
- 12
For stovetop cooking, follow the same order in a heavy pot, then simmer covered until the sweet potatoes are tender and the jackfruit has taken on the masala.
A few useful notes
Notes
- The curry thickens as it cools. If you want a softer, more cohesive texture, mash a few pieces of sweet potato against the side of the pot before serving.
- If the sauce gets too thick on reheating, loosen it with a splash of water. Reheat gently so the coconut milk stays smooth.
- Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days. The spices settle and deepen overnight, so the curry often tastes even better the next day.
- If your jackfruit pieces are very firm, simmer a little longer on the stovetop or add an extra splash of water in the Instant Pot before pressure cooking.
Gather everything first
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil, or oil of choice
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin seeds
- 1 1/2 teaspoons black mustard seeds, or brown mustard seeds
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 2-inch piece fresh ginger, minced or grated
- 1 serrano pepper, diced
- 2 teaspoons garam masala
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- 1 teaspoon sweet or hot paprika
- 1 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder
- 6 to 8 dried curry leaves, or 3 to 4 fresh curry leaves
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 3/4 cup water, or 1 cup water for stovetop version
- 1 (13.5-ounce / 400 mL) can full-fat coconut milk
- 2 (20-ounce / 565g) cans jackfruit, drained and rinsed
- 3 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 1 (8-ounce / 225g) can tomato sauce
- 4 to 5 cups baby kale or baby spinach, roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice or lime juice
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems, chopped
- 1 cup rice
Cook next

Instant Pot Chana Masala
Instant Pot chana masala delivers tender chickpeas and a full-bodied onion-tomato gravy with very little tending. The pressure cooker draws the spices together while keeping this family favourite practical.

Pressure Cooker Whole Moong Dal
Whole green moong becomes creamy and deeply savoury in the pressure cooker while keeping just enough texture. A fragrant tadka turns this humble dal into a satisfying meal.

Sambar
Toor dal and vegetables simmer into a substantial sambar, finished with a fragrant ground masala and mustard-seed tarka.

Peanut and coconut balls
Roasted peanuts, dates, seeds and coconut make these no-bake balls chewy, nutty and naturally sweet. They are small enough for a quick bite but full of proper texture.

Vegan blackeye bean curry
Black-eyed beans simmer with roasted spices, tomato and fresh herbs in this west-coast Indian-inspired curry. The beans stay creamy inside while the gravy remains lively and aromatic.

Restaurant-Style Vegan Malai Kofta
Tender tofu-and-potato kofta sit in a smooth tomato-cashew gravy in this vegan malai kofta. Crisp dumplings against the fragrant, creamy sauce make it a true special-occasion curry.
Learn the technique

A UK Seasonal Vegetable Guide for Indian Cooking
A practical guide to choosing, storing and cooking seasonal UK vegetables with Indian spices throughout the year.

Beginner-Friendly Vegan Indian Recipes
Simple vegan Indian dishes perfect for beginners starting their cooking journey.

Essential Vegan Indian Pantry Staples
The core spices, lentils, beans, grains, and aromatics worth keeping on hand for everyday vegan Indian cooking.

