These jackfruit tacos are meaty, flavorful, and absolutely mind-blowing! They are flavorful, super easy to make, and versatile. Make this jackfruit recipe for burritos, bowls, quesadillas, and more! One of the best, most flavorful jackfruit recipes.
Jackfruit Tacos
Hola! I’m Anna, a Mexican-American dietitian who loves creating plant-based versions of traditional Mexican dishes. Today, I’m excited to share one of my favorite recipes—jackfruit tacos. If you’re looking for a meatless option that’s bursting with flavor and texture, jackfruit tacos are a delicious and nutritious choice that brings a unique twist to the classic taco.
I visited Mexico every year when I was younger and carnitas Sundays were a tradition. We had them for brunch every Sunday morning with fresh corn tortillas, just carnitas, and tortillas — that’s it! When I started to reduce my meat intake I refused to let go of my favorite foods, and so far I think I’ve recreated all of my favorite recipes. This carnitas recipe is one that I am most proud of. Jackfruit has a very similar texture to pork meat and absorbs the flavor of whatever you add to it. These mouth-watering jackfruit tacos are savory, tender, versatile and so easy to make! This is one of the easiest recipes on the blog because it only requires 7 ingredients. You’ll want to make this recipe every single week for Taco Tuesday.
Jackfruit Tacos Ingredients
- Jackfruit – canned young green jackfruit. Buy at Trader Joe’s for the best price. Can also be found at Safeway, Whole Foods, and Sprouts.
- Garlic powder – I prefer powder over fresh garlic for this recipe as it can coat the jackfruit evenly and does not burn in the oven or air fryer.
- Liquid aminos, tamari or soy sauce – a must to get that umami meaty flavor.
- Chili powder – used mostly for flavor. You can also do a bit of cumin mixed in with chili powder.
- Avocado oil – or any neutral oil such as canola.
- Liquid smoke (optional) – adds a little smoky flavor.
- Maple syrup – helps with browning and balances the flavors well. The amount used in this recipe does not make it taste sweet.
What is Jackfruit?
Jackfruit is a tropical fruit native to South Asia, and it’s quickly becoming a favorite in the plant-based community for its versatility. When young and unripe, jackfruit has a neutral taste and a fibrous, meat-like texture that shreds and makes it an excellent substitute for shredded meat in savory dishes. It’s often compared to pulled pork or chicken, but it absorbs the flavors of whatever spices and seasonings you cook it with, making it easy to create the flavor you want!
Substitutes
- Jackfruit: Jackfruit is typically found in cans called “jackfruit in brine”. This is the easiest way to get your jackfruit because it can take an entire hour to remove seeds/cut open a fresh jackfruit.
If you’re not a fan of jackfruit, I highly recommend using shredded king oyster mushrooms instead. It is super meaty and amazing in this recipe! It can also be harder to find as most stores don’t usually carry it. I like to get it at an Asian market in the East Bay area.
- Liquid smoke: It is not necessary to have liquid smoke in this recipe but it adds a hint of meat-like smokiness which is a nice touch. It’s nice to have on hand as I also use it for my vegan seitan recipe and I’ve also heard it makes great vegan bacon!
- Oil: You can use any neutral oil in this recipe such as vegetable oil, canola oil (no it’s not bad for you *rolls eyes in dietitian*), or even olive oil. Adding the oil is important as pork/carnitas are high in fat. So if you are looking for an authentic carnitas recipe I recommend adding the oil.
Why Jackfruit Tacos?
Jackfruit tacos are a fantastic way to enjoy the traditional flavors of Mexican cuisine while keeping eating more plant-based meals. The tender, juicy texture of jackfruit works perfectly in tacos, especially when seasoned with smoky, spicy, and savory Mexican spices. Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or just trying to incorporate more plant-based meals into your diet, jackfruit tacos are a satisfying and flavorful option that doesn’t compromise on taste or texture.
The Nutritional Benefits of Jackfruit
Jackfruit is not only a great meat substitute but it’s also nutrient-dense! It’s low in calories and fat while being a good source of dietary fiber, which aids in digestion and keeps you feeling full longer. Jackfruit also provides a good amount of vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants, which help support a healthy immune system which also makes it anti-inflammatory. While it’s not as high in protein as meat, pairing jackfruit with other plant-based proteins like beans, lentils, or quinoa in your meal can create a well-balanced, nutrient-rich dish.
When making jackfruit tacos I highly recommend serving them with a generous side serving of beans to add protein to the meal. I also recommend adding avocado for healthy fat and extra calories. This will help keep you satisfied and energized throughout the day!
How to Make Jackfruit Tacos
Making jackfruit tacos is super easy and fun. Here’s how you can create your own delicious jackfruit tacos in 3 easy steps:
- Shred and Season: Drain and rinse the jackfruit, then shred it with a fork or your hands. Add spices and seasonings such as onion powder, garlic powder, and your favorite Mexican spices—like cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika —for that authentic taco flavor.
- Bake, Air-fry, or sauté: For best results, bake or air-fry at 400 F until jackfruit gets golden brown and slightly crispy on the edges. Toss halfway through so that it cooks evenly.
- Assemble Your Tacos: Warm up your corn tortillas and fill them with the delicious jackfruit. Top with fresh ingredients like diced onions, cilantro, avocado slices, and a squeeze of lime. For added heat, drizzle some salsa or hot sauce.
Tips:
- Be careful not to burn jackfruit in the air fryer. Air fry at 375 F for 8-12 minutes depending on the desired texture. Check every 3 minutes and toss around so it can cook evenly.
- Make sure that you drain and rinse jackfruit well to get rid of the brine flavor. Pat dry after rinsing with a kitchen towel or a paper towel.
- For the best jackfruit tacos, marinate for a minimum of 30 minutes, preferably a few hours.
- Get creative and add the jackfruit carnitas to burrito bowls, tacos, burritos, nachos, or a plate of rice and beans! It’s like adding vegetables to meals so it’s great for picky eaters.
A Plant-Based Fiesta
As a Mexican dietitian, I’m passionate about showing how delicious and nutritious plant-based Mexican food can be. Jackfruit tacos are a perfect example of how we can enjoy the rich, vibrant flavors of traditional Mexican cuisine while embracing a plant-based lifestyle. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, your family, or guests, these tacos are sure to be a hit at your next meal.
So save this recipe and give jackfruit tacos a try! They’re a delightful, healthy, and flavorful way to enjoy a taste of Mexico—plant-based style. ¡provecho!
More Vegan Taco Recipes:
Potato Chorizo Tacos (1-pan & super easy!)
Print
Jackfruit Tacos (Carnitas)
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
The easiest jackfruit carnitas that are delicious and super quick to prepare. Eat in the form of tacos, nachos, burritos, bowls, and more. Make these vegan carnitas on Taco Tuesday or every day!
Ingredients
- 1 large can of jackfruit
For sauce:
- ½ tsp garlic powder or minced garlic
- 2 tbsp liquid aminos, tamari or soy sauce
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- ⅛ tsp liquid smoke (optional)
- ½ tbsp maple syrup
For tacos:
- 8–10 corn tortillas
- ½ small onion
- Cilantro
- Salsa of choice
- Lime wedges
Instructions
Cook option:
- Preheat oven to 375 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Open a can of jackfruit, drain, and rinse well. Shred jackfruit and dry with a kitchen or paper towel.
- Add all sauce ingredients to a mixing bowl and whisk together until well combined.
- Add shredded jackfruit to the mixing bowl until it’s evenly coated in sauce.
-
Spread the marinaded jackfruit onto the parchment paper and bake for 15-18 minutes or until the desired texture is achieved.
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Warm tortillas on a skillet, dice onions, and cilantro, and assemble your tacos.
Air Fryer option:
1. Follow steps 2-4 from above. Air fry for 8-12 minutes at 365 F until the desired texture is achieved.
No cook option:
- Follow the steps above to marinate jackfruit for at least 1 hour or overnight for best results. Warm-up jackfruit in the microwave for at least 1 minute before serving.
-
Warm-up tortillas in the microwave for 15 seconds on each side and add jackfruit, cilantro, and salsa.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 15
- Category: Dinner
- Cuisine: Mexican
Anna, I found jackfruit at the market that was “in syrup”, not brine. Would this work if it was rinsed or should I keep shopping?
Hi Janet,
I have never tried jackfruit in syrup. It should be okay if you rinse it well? If it’s just sugar water it should be okay because one of the ingredients for the carnitas is actually sweet which adds a good flavor 🙂 If you’re skeptical I would recommend to just buy online.
I just tried this tonight! I accidentally burnt most of it in the oven. The pieces that weren’t burnt were 10 out of 10 amazing. I also used garlic salt instead of garlic powder, which made it a little bit too salty for my liking, but my husband couldn’t tell and loved it. I will make adjustments next time and try the air fryer and follow the recipe Better. Amazing website. Can’t wait to try another one. Thank you
Jackfruit can be easy to burn haha. I have done it a few times too! Make sure to check the jackfruit every 3-4 minutes even in the air fryer as every air fryer is a bit different. I recommend tossing it every few minutes so it cooks evenly/avoid burning. 🙂
The best jackfruit recipe I’ve ever made! It truly reminds me of carnitas and will be making it weekly. Thank you!
It’s a pretty close replica of shredded chicken. The seasonings in this give the jackfruit a true taste of Mexican street tacos and it was so quick and easy to make!
This jackfruit is ideal for several recipes! I like it in tacos and burritos!