These super flavorful jackfruit tacos are easy to make, ready in just 30 minutes, and they only require one pan! Crush Taco Tuesday with this delicious family-friendly vegan meal! Vegan, gluten-free, soy-free.
Want more easy vegan recipes? Join our vegan Facebook community below!
These smokey jackfruit tacos are going to knock your socks off! They are loaded with so much flavor from the chipotle adobo sauce, taco seasonings, garlic, and onions. In addition to being absolutely delicious, these tacos are so easy to make in just 30 minutes and they only require one pan!
What really kicks these tacos up a notch is the adobo sauce that the canned jackfruit is cooked in. I don’t use the whole chipotle peppers, just the adobo sauce and it gives the jackfruit meat so much flavor and a little spicy kick!
I’m willing to bet that these jackfruit “pulled pork” tacos will be your new favorite vegan taco recipe! You can also use this jackfruit filling to make the best ever vegan enchiladas!
Check this recipe roundup out if you want more delicious vegan jackfruit recipes that taste better than meat!
What Is Jackfruit Meat?
Jackfruit meat is made from canned young green jackfruit in brine. You can’t use the jackfruit from an actual whole fresh jackfruit because it’s ripe and sweet. If you want to use jackfruit as a meat replacement then you need to use the unripe canned version.
Does Jackfruit Taste Like Meat?
The first time I tasted jackfruit in a taco, I was shocked. It really tasted like I was eating a taco with shredded meat in it. When I tasted the jackfruit filling by itself, I thought that the jackfruit tasted like a cross between a pineapple and shredded chicken or pork. I think jackfruit definitely tastes like meat as long as it’s seasoned well and cooked correctly.
Should You Eat Jackfruit Seeds?
Yes, you can definitely eat jackfruit seeds! I’m always shocked when I see recipe instructions that say to discard the seeds. The Jackfruit seeds are 100% edible and they’re very tasty!
Leave the seeds intact in the pieces of unripe jackfruit and let them cook. The jackfruit seeds get very tender and have a chewy texture, almost like a bean. Don’t throw the seeds out and waste a perfectly edible part of the jackfruit.
Where to Buy Jackfruit
You can buy canned young green jackfruit at Trader Joe’s (Here’s my Trader Joe’s vegan shopping list), Whole Foods (Here’s my Whole Foods vegan shopping list), and Amazon. I’ve also found canned jackfruit at my local health food store so make sure you check out your local mom n’ pop shop!
How To Make Jackfruit Tacos
- Step #1 – Put the jackfruit into a fine mesh strainer and rinse it very well (There is no need to cut it up before cooking it).
- Step #2 – Saute the diced onions in vegetable broth for 5 minutes. Add the garlic, adobo sauce, tomato paste, vegan Worcestershire sauce, and all of the dry seasonings. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Step #3 – Add the rinsed and drained jackfruit, lime juice, and water to the pan, cover it and let it cook for 15-20 minutes (or until the jackfruit is tender).
- Step #4 – Remove the pan lid and use a wooden spoon or potato masher to lightly smash and break up the chunks of jackfruit. It should shred easily. Mix the shredded jackfruit with the rest of the sauce. There shouldn’t be much liquid left, but if there is, just let it cook a little bit longer until the liquid is absorbed. Spoon the jackfruit into tacos.
What Do Jackfruit Tacos Taste Like?
Jackfruit tacos taste absolutely delicious! They taste meaty, flavorful, and extremely satisfying. Honestly, you won’t taste a difference when you bite into a jackfruit taco versus an animal-based taco.
How Do You Store Leftover Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce?
You’ll only need 1-2 chipotle peppers or just the adobo sauce for a recipe. You can easily save the leftover peppers and adobo sauce by portioning 1-2 peppers and a little bit of sauce into each compartment of a silicone ice cube tray.
If you don’t have an ice cube tray, you could freeze all of the peppers and sauce in a small freezer-safe glass container and use a spoon to chip off a little bit when you need it.
Can You Freeze Leftover Jackfruit?
Yes, you can freeze the leftover filling for a future meal. Put the cooked jackfruit meat by itself in a freezer-safe container and freeze it.
When you want to reheat it, let it defrost overnight in the fridge and add a little vegetable broth or water to help it loosen up in the pan. You can use this chipotle jackfruit filling for tacos, burritos, on top of pizza, or add it to vegan white bean chili.
Notes & Substitutions
- You don’t need to cut up the jackfruit before cooking it. I find that it always gets very tender after cooking it and slicing it is an unnecessary step.
- Make sure you rinse and drain the jackfruit very well. You want to get as much of the brine and salt off the jackfruit as possible.
- Don’t throw out the jackfruit seeds! They’re completely edible and delicious once they’re cooked.
- One tbsp of the canned adobo sauce gives a nice kick to the jackfruit recipe without making it super spicy. However, if you don’t want the jackfruit filling to be spicy at all then completely omit the adobo sauce or use this jackfruit recipe to make BBQ jackfruit tacos instead.
- A big dollop of Kite Hill unsweetened plain almond greek yogurt is our favorite vegan sour cream substitute and it balances the heat perfectly.
- You can add the leftover jackfruit to burritos, soup, or enchiladas. Or you can freeze it for future dinners.
More Vegan Jackfruit Recipes You’ll Love!
Slow Cooker Whiskey BBQ Jackfruit Sliders
The Best Jackfruit Tacos
Equipment
- Large Pan
Ingredients
- 2-3 tbsp low-sodium vegetable broth (or olive oil)
- 1 medium red onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp adobo sauce (just the sauce not the peppers)
- 1 tsp vegan Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp Himalayan sea salt
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice (about 1/2 a lime)
- (2) 14 oz cans young green jackfruit in brine (rinsed and drained well)
- 1/2 cup water (or vegetable broth)
Instructions
- Saute the onions in vegetable broth over medium heat until they're translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic, tomato paste, adobo sauce, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, and sea salt. Stir and let the mixture cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Add the rinsed and drained unripe jackfruit, lime juice, and water to the pan. Cover and let it cook until the jackfruit is tender, about 15-20 minutes.
- Use a wooden spoon or potato masher to lightly mash and break up the chunks of jackfruit. The jackfruit chunks should shred easily. Mix the jackfruit with the rest of the sauce. If there is any liquid left in the pan let it cook a little bit longer until the liquid has been absorbed.
- Build your tacos with lettuce, jackfruit, tomatoes, avocado, vegan sour cream, and green onions!
Notes
- To give this jackfruit taco recipe a protein boost, add (1) 14oz can of rinsed and drained black beans.
- The taco filling is gluten-free as is but make sure to use gluten-free tortillas.
- You can make your own vegan sour cream or use a store-bought substitute like Kite Hill almond unsweetened plain greek yogurt.
- You don't need to cut up the jackfruit before cooking it. I find that it always gets very tender after cooking it and slicing it is an unnecessary step.
- Make sure you rinse and drain the jackfruit very well. You want to get as much of the brine and salt off the jackfruit as possible.
- Don't throw out the jackfruit seeds! They're completely edible and delicious once they're cooked.
- One tbsp of the canned adobo sauce gives a nice kick to the jackfruit recipe without making it super spicy. However, if you don't want the jackfruit filling to be spicy at all then completely omit the adobo sauce or use this jackfruit recipe to make BBQ jackfruit tacos instead.
- You can add the leftover jackfruit to burritos, soup, or enchiladas. Or you can freeze it for future dinners.
- Store the leftover jackfruit in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days or freeze it for 3-4 months.
These tacos are so flavorful! My family loved the recipe and couldn’t believe how much the jackfruit tasted like meat! I’ll definitely be making these tacos again soon!
I made these and they were amazing! Even my meet eater boyfriend commented on how flavorful they were.
I’m so happy that you both enjoyed the jackfruit tacos! Thank you for letting me know =)