Jackfruit Sloppy Joes Canning Recipe

This Jackfruit Sloppy Joes canning recipe is a plant-based twist on a classic comfort food, designed specifically for pressure canning. Packed with savory spices, tomatoes, peppers, and shredded jackfruit, this meatless version mimics the texture and taste of traditional Sloppy Joes—without the animal protein. Ideal for vegans, vegetarians, or those exploring meat alternatives, this shelf-stable recipe ensures a ready-to-eat, protein-rich meatless meal in a jar.

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By Diane Devereaux | The Canning Diva® 
Last updated: July 31, 2025

Key Takeaways

• Jackfruit Sloppy Joes canning recipe is a shelf-stable, plant-based meal in a jar.
• Designed for pressure canning, this recipe ensures safe preservation of a low-acid meal.
• Mimics the texture and flavor of traditional Sloppy Joes using meatless ingredients.
• Jackfruit sloppy joes is a great recipe for vegans, vegetarians, and those looking to use meatless alternatives.
• Ideal for batch cooking and long-term storage—no refrigeration required.
• Includes savory ingredients like tomatoes, garlic, and peppers for bold flavor.

What is Jackfruit?

Jackfruit is a tropical fruit native to South and Southeast Asia, with origins in countries like India, Bangladesh, and Thailand. It thrives in humid, tropical climates and grows best in regions with high rainfall and consistent temperatures ranging between 77°F to 95°F (25°C to 35°C). The jackfruit tree is known for producing large, spiky fruits that can weigh up to 80 pounds, making it one of the largest tree-borne fruits in the world.

Nutritionally, jackfruit is rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, and dietary fiber. It’s also a good source of antioxidants, which help combat oxidative stress. Although it is relatively low in protein compared to meat, it is low in fat and calories, making it a healthy and sustainable alternative for those seeking to reduce their meat consumption.

Jackfruit is incredibly versatile in the kitchen. When ripe, its sweet, yellow flesh is used in desserts and snacks, while the unripe, green jackfruit is popular in savory dishes due to its fibrous texture, which resembles pulled pork or shredded chicken. This makes it an excellent meat substitute in dishes like tacos, curries, and Jackfruit Sloppy Joes recipe.

The pH value of jackfruit typically ranges from 4.7 to 5.5, which is slightly acidic, similar to that of a green bell pepper. This pH level, combined with its neutral flavor, allows jackfruit to easily absorb the flavors of the seasonings and sauces it is cooked with, enhancing its adaptability in various culinary applications. Yes, jackfruit does contain some protein, though it’s relatively low compared to other plant-based protein sources. A one-cup serving of raw jackfruit provides about 2-3 grams of protein. While it’s not a significant protein source on its own, it can be paired with other protein-rich foods like beans, lentils, nuts, or grains to help meet dietary protein needs for non-meat eaters.

For vegetarians and vegans, combining jackfruit with higher-protein ingredients in a meal can create a more balanced dish. For example, serving Jackfruit Sloppy Joes canning recipe with a side of beans or using a whole-grain bun can help boost the overall protein content of the meal.

Jackfruit Sloppy Joes Canning Recipe

From my book, The Canning Diva Presents Meals in a Jar, this all-American classic has gone meatless for those individuals who do not eat meat. Thanks to Jackfruit, vegetarians may enjoy preserving this classic for years to come. With all the same flavors of traditional sloppy joes, this hearty meal can be enjoyed on a whole wheat bun topped with avocado slices.

Makes approx. 5 quarts or 10 pints

Ingredients

• 7 14-ounce cans young jackfruit in water, drained
• 2 sweet onions, finely chopped (2 cups)
• 1 green bell pepper, finely chopped (1 cup)
• 6 garlic cloves, minced (1 tablespoon)
• 4 cups tomato sauce
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• ¼ cup packed brown sugar
• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
• 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard

Instructions

1. In a large stockpot, combine the jackfruit, onion, bell pepper and garlic. Cook them over medium-high heat for 5 minutes, working to break apart the jackfruit as it cooks. Add the tomato sauce, broth, brown sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire Sauce, and mustard and mix well. Cook the mixture for an additional 10 minutes, stirring often.
2. Using a funnel, ladle the mixture into jars, leaving a 1-inch headspace. Remove any trapped air pockets and add additional mixture if necessary to maintain the 1-inch headspace.
3. Wipe the jar rims with a washcloth dipped in vinegar. Place the lid and ring on each jar and hand tighten.
4. Process in a pressure canner at 10 PSI or according to your elevation and canner type. Process quart jars for 75 minutes and pint jars for 55 minutes.

Ingredient Tip: If all you can find at the store is jackfruit preserved in brine, please do the following to avoid an unpleasant salty flavor infiltrating your recipe. Thoroughly rinse the jackfruit in a colander in the sink, then soak in cold water for up to an hour, and rinse again.

In addition to sloppy joes, here are 5 additional recipes you may create or preserve using jackfruit:

• Jackfruit BBQ Pulled “Pork” Sandwiches
• Spicy Jackfruit “Chicken” Tacos
• Jackfruit “Beef” Chili
• Jackfruit “Crab” Cakes
• Sweet and Sour Jackfruit “Meatballs”

These delicious recipes highlight the versatility of jackfruit as a meat substitute, enticing canners to explore plant-based options in familiar dishes. Wherever meat is called for in a canning recipe, Jackfruit may be used. Have fun canning and preserving meatless meals in a jar, and start with canning recipes from my book, Meals in a Jar today.

Jackfruit Sloppy Joes Canning Recipe

Recipe by The Canning Diva

5.0 from 1 vote

Servings

5 quarts or 10 pints

servings

Prep time

20

minutes

From my book, The Canning Diva Presents Meals in a Jar, this all-American classic has gone meatless for those individuals who do not eat meat. Thanks to Jackfruit, vegetarians may enjoy preserving this classic for years to come. With all the same flavors of traditional sloppy joes, this hearty meal can be enjoyed on a whole wheat bun topped with avocado slices.

Ingredients

US Metric

• 7 14-ounce 7 cans young jackfruit in water, drained

• 2 2 sweet onions, finely chopped (2 cups)

• 1 1 green bell pepper, finely chopped (1 cup)

• 6 6 garlic cloves, minced (1 tablespoon)

• 4 cups 4 tomato sauce

• 2 cups 2 vegetable broth

• ¼ cup ¼ packed brown sugar

• ¼ cup ¼ apple cider vinegar

• 3 tablespoons 3 Worcestershire sauce

• 1 tablespoon 1 yellow mustard

Instructions

• In a large stockpot, combine the jackfruit, onion, bell pepper and garlic. Cook them over medium-high heat for 5 minutes, working to break apart the jackfruit as it cooks. Add the tomato sauce, broth, brown sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire Sauce, and mustard and mix well. Cook the mixture for an additional 10 minutes, stirring often.
• Using a funnel, ladle the mixture into jars, leaving a 1-inch headspace. Remove any trapped air pockets and add additional mixture if necessary to maintain the 1-inch headspace.
• Wipe the jar rims with a washcloth dipped in vinegar. Place the lid and ring on each jar and hand tighten.
• Process in a pressure canner at 10 PSI or according to your elevation and canner type. Process quart jars for 75 minutes and pint jars for 55 minutes.

Notes

• Ingredient Tip: If all you can find at the store is jackfruit preserved in brine, please do the following to avoid an unpleasant salty flavor infiltrating your recipe. Thoroughly rinse the jackfruit in a colander in the sink, then soak in cold water for up to an hour, and rinse again.

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About the Author:
Diane Devereaux, The Canning Diva®, is an internationally recognized food preservation expert, author, and educator with over 30 years of home canning experience. She’s the author of multiple top-selling canning books and teaches workshops across the U.S. Learn more at TheCanningDiva.com.

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