Jackfruit carnitas tacos

5 from 11 votes

These flavor-packed tacos are loaded with the tastes of red wine and spices. Tahini is the secret ingredient that gives the jackfruit extra body and oomph.

Finish with optional toppings like cilantro, jalapeño pepper slices, and/or hot sauce.

This is sure to become a favorite in your house!

Makes 6 tacos

Prep Time10

Cook Time25

Total Time35

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Mexican, Vegan

Keyword: meatless taco, weeknight meal

Servings: people

Calories: 341kcal

Author: Cadry Nelson

Ingredients

For the jackfruit carnitas

20 ounces young green jackfruit canned in water or brine, not syrup
2 teaspoons avocado oil divided (or your preferred oil)
½ cup chopped onions
2 cloves garlic minced
1 cup water
1 teaspoon Better Than Bouillon no-beef base
¼ dry red wine I especially like Carmenere, Garnacha, or Tempranillo
1 teaspoon low-sodium tamari
½ teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon coriander
½ teaspoon ancho chili powder
½ teaspoon paprika
¼ teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon tahini
A few dashes of hot sauce optional

For the tacos

6 hard corn shells or the tortillas of your choice
1 cup green leaf lettuce roughly chopped
½ cup chopped tomatoes
1 batch easy guacamole
½ cup shredded non-dairy cheese

Instructions

To make the jackfruit carnitas

Drain and rinse the jackfruit in a colander.
Then move the pieces to a clean kitchen towel. Twist the jackfruit in the towel like a Tootsie Roll & wring dry over the sink.
(Any extra water/brine in the jackfruit makes it harder to brown & absorb flavors.)
Move the jackfruit pieces to a food processor. Pulse the food processor a few times, until it is broken up into shredded pieces.
(Don't do it so many times that you end up with jackfruit hummus. Just 5 or 6 pulses should be good.)
Bring a large, non-stick skillet to a medium high heat with a teaspoon of oil. Put an even layer of shredded jackfruit in the skillet.
Don't move it for a few minutes. Allow it to get fully brown on one side, then flip the jackfruit shreds and allow it to brown more.
Once the jackfruit is nice and brown, move it to one side of the skillet. Put the remaining teaspoon of oil in the skillet, and put the chopped onions and minced garlic on it.
The skillet will be pretty hot at this point. If it looks like the garlic will burn, lower the heat.
Saute the onions and garlic for a minute or two. Then incorporate them with the browned jackfruit.
Pour the cup of water, Better Than Bouillon no beef base, red wine, tamari, cumin, coriander, ancho chili powder, paprika, and salt into the skillet. Fully combine it with the jackfruit.
You want the liquid to be at a simmer, so adjust your heat accordingly.
Allow it to simmer in the liquid for ten to twelve minutes, until all of the liquid has cooked off.
Turn off the heat and put the tahini on top of the jackfruit.
Use your spatula to fully incorporate everything with the tahini, making sure it's evenly combined.
Taste for salt & heat.
If necessary, add more salt and/or a few dashes of hot sauce. Then fully combine everything with a spatula.

To make the tacos

Now it's time to make the tacos.
Heat 6 hard corn shells according to package instructions.
If you'd like to use the air fryer to heat the corn shells, put them tucked inside of each other into the air fryer basket. Heat at 370 degrees for 3 to 4 minutes. Be careful removing them from the air fryer basket. They will be hot.
Fill each taco shell with several spoonfuls of jackfruit carnitas. Then top them with pinches of green leaf lettuce, and chopped tomatoes. Add a dollop of guacamole to each, and a sprinkling of non-dairy cheese.
If you'd like, add any optional toppings to the tacos like cilantro, jalapeño pepper slices, and dashes of hot sauce.

Notes

If you don't have Better Than Bouillon, use your favorite vegetable broth in place of the water + bouillon.

Store any jackfruit carnitas leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator. It will keep for 3 or 4 days.

It can also be frozen in a freezer proof container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator when you're ready to use it.

Warm leftovers in the microwave or in a skillet.

Nutrition