When we first visited Arizona, before moving here, I found one of my favorite vegan restaurants, Pomegranate Cafe. During brunch on a morning, I ordered vegan jackfruit benedict, and breakfast changed forever.
Before transitioning to a plant-based diet, I really didn't care much for breakfast. In fact, I never liked eggs or any breakfast foods, for that matter. But, now, breakfast is one of my favorite meals. And Pomegranate Cafe, ad well as Verdura, another one of my favorite vegan hangouts, has the best version of the vegan jackfruit benedict recipe I have ever tasted.
Of course, I challenged myself to try to make my own version of vegan jackfruit benedict at home. To my surprise, it was a home run.
Although this vegan jackfruit benedict recipe is quite different than the ones we have enjoyed several times, I chose to give it my own twist.
Despite being plant-based and somewhat healthy, Pom's version of vegan jackfruit benedict has way too many calories.
So, in an effort to reduce the fat and calories, I omitted the tofu and vegan cheese. Then, I baked my vegan jackfruit benedict instead of frying it and replaced the tofu with portobello mushrooms and the cheese with tomato.
HOW TO MAKE THE VEGAN JACKFRUIT BENEDICT CAKE
First, you need to make the jackfruit cake which is simple enough. You do need some Dulse Flakes, an Asian seaweed. Although Dulse is available at Whole Foods, I order mine from Amazon. The bag literally lasts forever. But, if you can't find Dulse, a sheet of seaweed, crumbled, works as well.
WHAT IS DULSE?
Dulse is a variety of seaweed that resembles leafy red lettuce when fresh. Its flavor will definitely remind you of the ocean — its minerality makes it a great stand-in for salt.
The benefits of Dulse include, for example, high levels of protein and fiber. Dulse is a nutrient-rich red algae that has become increasingly popular in health food circles due to its numerous nutrition properties. More and more experts are advising people to implement sea greens into their diets, including dulse.
Here are some great ways to incorporate dulse:
- Mix flaked dulse into homemade salad dressings.
- Use dried flakes on top of popcorn.
- Add strips of whole-leaf dulse to your favorite pickled vegetables.
- Sprinkle flakes over your vegan poke bowl
- Steep whole-leaf dulse in water for a restorative and savory “tea.”
- Mix flaked dulse into homemade bread dough.
- Add to a bowl of ramen.
- Sprinkle flaked dulse over a baked potato to amp up the flavor of a classic.
In order to get the flavor of the sea, I use seaweed or chopped Dulse. Not only does Dulse or seaweed supply a sea-like flavor, but it also gives the addition of a natural form of Iodine.
Despite being available in stores, the actual fruit size is quite large and difficult to navigate. Because of this, I buy my jackfruit in brine at Trader Joe's. If you don’t have a Trader Joe's or an Asian market near you, try this link Jackfruit on Amazon.
First, it is important to buy canned jackfruit in water or brine. Be careful not to buy the jackfruit in syrup! Also, jackfruit can be purchased in packs in the refrigerator section, but these packets are generally flavored.
Once you have the canned jackfruit, the process of making the salad is fairly easy. I like to shred the jackfruit, so it has a crab-like texture. To do this, I use my Hamilton Beach Food Processor.
JACKFRUIT CRAB CAKE FOR VEGAN JACKFRUIT BENEDICT
- 1 20-ounce can think of Jackfruit in Brine
- 1 white onion, minced
- 3 Tablespoons chopped chives
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 Tablespoons Old Bay Seasoning
- 2 Tablespoons Dijon Mustard
- 1 Tablespoon Soy Sauce or Tamari
- 1 Tablespoon chopped Dulse flakes
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- ½ cup Panko bread crumbs (or any breadcrumbs)
CASHEW CHIPOTLE CREAM SAUCE
- 1 cup raw cashews (soaked in water overnight); this is recommended but not required. If you do not have time to soak, just blend longer.
- ½ cup water
- 1 ½ Tablespoons lime juice
- 1 Jalapeno, deseeded
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 pinch salt
- ¼ cup cilantro
ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS FOR VEGAN JACKFRUIT BENEDICT
- 6 Vegan English muffins (you may use gluten-free), toasted
- 1 16 ounce package sliced portobello mushrooms
- 1 large Hot House tomato (sliced into 6 slices)
- 2 Avocados, sliced thin
The rest is easy. I made six cakes ahead of time and put them in the refrigerator overnight. You can also freeze the vegan jackfruit cakes. Although this recipe is intended for benedict, these cakes could also be served as a jackfruit crab cake with rice. Or you could eat it as a burger.
If vegan jackfruit benedict isn't your thing, try my Vegan Crab Cakes! They are to die for!
LOOKING FOR CREATIVE AND TASTY WAYS TO COOK WITH JACKFRUIT?
📖 Recipe
Vegan Jackfruit Benedict
Ingredients
Jackfruit Crab Cake
- 20 ounces Jackfruit in Brine
- 1 while onion minced
- 3 Tablespoons chopped chives
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 Tablespoons Old Bay Seasoning
- 2 Tablespoons Dijon Mustard
- 1 Tablespoon Soy Sauce or Tamari
- 1 Tablespoon chopped Dulse flakes
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- ½ cup Panko bread crumbs or any breadcrumbs
Cashew Chipotle Cream Sauce
- 1 cup raw cashews soaked in water overnight; this is recommended but not required. If you do not have time to soak, blend longer.
- ½ cup water
- 1 ½ Tablespoons lime juice
- 1 Jalapeno deseeded
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 pinch salt
- ¼ cup cilantro
Additional Ingredients
- 6 Vegan English muffins you may use gluten-free, toasted
- 16 ounces sliced portobello mushrooms
- 1 large Hot House tomato sliced into 6 slices
- 2 Avocados sliced thin
Instructions
Jackfruit Crab Cake
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees
- Drain brine from the Jackfruit can
- Remove any visible seeds, if any remain in the jackfruit
- Place jackfruit in a food processor and pulse until chopped. DO NOT OVER-PROCESS. It should look shredded.
- Place shredded jackfruit into a large bowl, and add the remaining ingredients.
- Using a fork, mix well.
- I used my Cuisinart Burger Press to form my cakes. You can also use your hands.
- You may cook immediately, or you can place it in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake, or you can freeze.
- Form 6 cakes and place them on a silicone mat-lined baking sheet, or you can use parchment paper.
- Place in a 400-degree oven for 40 minutes
Chipotle Cashew Cream
- Drain the cashews and rinse them.
- Place the cashews and all listed ingredients into a small blender.
- Blend until smooth.
- Place in a container and refrigerate until ready to use.
Prepare Other Ingredients
- Sauté portobello mushrooms until brown; set aside
- Slice a large tomato into 6 slices
- Slice avocados into several thin slices
- Toast English muffins
Assemble the Benedict Accordingly
- Place the toasted English muffin on a plate first
- Then, place the baked Jackfruit Cake
- Follow with a slice of tomato
- Then, place sautéed mushrooms on top of the tomato
- Follow with thin slices of avocado and top with Cashew Chipolte sauce
- Topped with chopped cilantro
Notes
WHAT IS DULSE?
Dulse is a variety of seaweed that resembles leafy red lettuce when fresh. Its flavor will definitely remind you of the ocean — its minerality makes it a great stand-in for salt. The benefits of Dulse include, for example, high levels of protein and fiber. Dulse is a nutrient-rich red algae that has become increasingly popular in health food circles due to its numerous nutrition properties. More and more experts are advising people to implement sea greens into their diets, including dulse.Nutrition
Hi! My name is Kathy, I am a retired high school English teacher & vegan enthusiast and blogger. My entire blog is fully plant-based vegan. I truly believe what we eat & how we live determines our health & the preservation of our planet! 🙂
Bill
What is Old Bay Seasoning? What can I use as an alternate?
Kathy Carmichael
Hi Bill, Old Bay Seasoning is a brand of creole seasoning. Any type of creole seasoning will work. Please let me know if you enjoy the jackfruit benedict.