Menu Close

Jackfruit Carnitas Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you.

Jump to Recipe Print

This jackfruit carnitas recipe is a fantastic vegan version of this classic Mexican-inspired dish. Ripe jackfruit is slow simmered in an easy savory spice blend, and makes a fantastic meat alternative.

I love serving these vegan carnitas with yellow rice and easy pinto beans. Great for making vegan jackfruit tacos or burrito bowls – all with your favorite toppings!

jackfruit carnitas recipe easy homemade vegan carnitas without pork

We love hosting summer BBQs and parties at our place!  There’s nothing better than having lots of friends over, eating delicious food, and enjoying a cold margarita (or two). I love easy make ahead recipes for BBQ season, and these awesome pulled jackfruit carnitas can be made ahead in no time. Using canned jackfruit, some fresh herbs, and delicious smoky spices.

Jackfruit makes a great meat substitute – and this is one of my favorite jackfruit recipes I’ve even tried.  The first time I saw jackfruit in the store was in the frozen aisle of an Indian market… but now I can find canned jackfruit at Whole foods, Trader Joe’s, local markets, and Asian grocery stores. It’s one of our favorite savory recipes for taco Tuesday!

These Jackfruit Carnitas Are:

  • Tangy
  • Savory
  • Messy (in a good way)
  • Perfect for entertaining
  • Healthy
  • Vegan
  • A great alternative to pulled pork
vegetarian carnitas with jackfruit recipe easy plant based carnitas with plants

Make Carnitas Vegetarian

This vegetarian jackfruit carnitas tacos recipe is a simple way to get extra veggies in your diet. I’m all about making recipes plant-based when I can. Vegetarian cooking does NOT have to be bland, boring, or flavorless… It’s quite the opposite when done right. 

By building meals around vegetarian pantry staples and swapping in a few plant-based ingredients you can make healthier meals for you and your family. Check out all my vegetarian recipes. These easy and healthy recipes are fantastic meatless meals for your table.

Ingredients for Vegan Jackfruit Carnitas

  • Lettuce, Onion, Garlic 
  • Jackfruit – I like using canned young green jackfruit, or frozen shredded jackfruit if you can find it.
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil – or vegetable oil to substitute
  • Chili Powder
  • Vegetable Stock
  • Red Chili Pepper Flakes: for a little heat! I like to add a few shakes to this recipe to give this dish a nice complex depth of flavor.
  • Garlic – or garlic powder
  • Lime Juice – or lemon juice as a substitute.
  • Orange Juice

What to Serve with Jackfruit Carnitas?

  • Pico de gallo salsa
  • Vegan sour cream
  • Spicy black beans
  • Mexican rice
  • Fresh cilantro or onions to top
jackfruit tacos or burritos easy mexican jackfruit recipes

How To Make Vegan Carnitas with Jackfruit

  • Drain and rinse canned jackfruit and pat dry. Add the jackfruit mixture to a food processor and pulse a few times until the jackfruit pieces resemble the texture of pulled pork.
  • In a large skillet heat the olive oil over medium heat, and sauté the red onion and garlic for 5 minutes until they begin to soften.  Add the shredded jackfruit and sauté for an additional 5 minutes.  Add the chili powder, salt, chili flakes, vegetable stock, lime juice, orange juice, and maple syrup (if adding) and simmer for 20 minutes.
  • Scoop some jackfruit  onto a corn tortillas or flour tortillas, add more sauce if desired!  Garnish with your favorite toppings like: lime wedges, cilantro, and white onion.

Make Ahead Jackfruit Carnitas

The filling for these jackfruit carnitas is a fantastic and simple recipe to make ahead. Great for a busy weeknight, for entertaining, or just for those nights when you don’t feel like cooking.  

I like to prep one (or a few) of these ahead of time, and freeze some for later.  Having ready cooked meals in the fridge or freezer is a great way to enjoy home cooked meals when you don’t have time in the kitchen.  Freezing ingredients is also a great way to use up food that may be expiring soon.  Check out all my make ahead meals for some inspo to help you prep, keep, heat, and heat!

jackfruit carnitas dinner ideas with jackfruit canned jackfruit recipes easy vegan dinner ideas for taco tuesday

What do I serve with these Pulled Jackfruit Carnitas?

Vegan Macaroni Salad Recipe 

Red Cabbage Coleslaw Recipe

Greek Yogurt Cornbread Recipe 

Rainbow Quinoa Salad

Share These Jackfruit Carnitas Sandwiches!

If you loved this recipe, please feel free to share on Facebook or with your family & friends. Make sure to follow us on Instagram, YouTube & TikTok too – I’d love to connect with you there.

And let’s keep in touch – subscribe to my monthly newsletter to get free recipe inspiration. 

jackfruit carnitas recipe easy homemade vegan carnitas without pork

Jackfruit Carnitas

Kelly Jensen
This jackfruit carnitas recipe is a fantastic vegan version of this classic Mexican-inspired dish. Ripe jackfruit is slow simmered in an easy savory spice blend, and makes a fantastic meat alternative.
5 from 3 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course BBQ, Dinner, Sandwich
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 134 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 8-ounce cans jackfruit
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 red onion
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Sea Salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes optional, for more spice
  • 1 cup Vegetable Stock or more of
  • 1 lime juiced
  • 1 orange juiced
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup optional for sweetness
  • 8 Tortillas
  • Taco Toppings Lettuce Vegan Sour Cream, Onion, Cilantro, or Jalapeno Peppers

Instructions
 

  • Drain and rinse canned jackfruit and pat dry. Add the jackfruit mixture to a food processor and pulse a few times until the jackfruit pieces resemble the texture of pulled pork.
  • In a large skillet heat the olive oil over medium heat, and sauté the red onion and garlic for 5 minutes until they begin to soften. Add the shredded jackfruit and sauté for an additional 5 minutes. Add the chili powder, salt, chili flakes, vegetable stock, lime juice, orange juice, and maple syrup (if adding) and simmer for 20 minutes.
  • Scoop some jackfruit onto a corn tortillas or flour tortillas, add more sauce if desired! Garnish with your favorite toppings like: lime wedges, cilantro, and white onion.

Nutrition

Calories: 134kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 3gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 386mgPotassium: 127mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 375IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 64mgIron: 1mg
Did You Make This Recipe?Please leave a rating and comment below, let us know what you loved about it!

This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn from qualifying purchases from affiliate programs, at no additional cost to you. Please read our privacy policy for more information.

 

Sharing is caring!

Posted in American, Dairy Free, Dinners, For Entertaining, Gluten Free, Make Ahead, Sandwiches/Wraps, Summer Recipes, The Herbeevore Recipes, Vegan Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes

1 Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.