Jackfruit Carnitas Enchiladas — Fried Dandelions — Plant Based Recipes « Fried Dandelions — Plant Based Recipes (2024)

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Jackfruit Carnitas Enchiladas are sure to be a hit with your whole family! With a few easy steps and shortcuts, you’ll have them on the table in no time!

Jackfruit Carnitas Enchiladas — Fried Dandelions — Plant Based Recipes « Fried Dandelions — Plant Based Recipes (1)

Enchiladas have always been one of my favorite meals! In fact, they are often pretty easy to veganize in a restaurant by ordering them without the cheese! But why go out when you can make restaurant worthy VEGAN enchiladas at home! Pair them with some black beans and sangriaand you’ve got yourself a swanky meal right at home! I fill my enchiladas with jackfruit (you know that’s one of my fave meat substitutes!). Drizzle with some sauce and queso and your Jackfruit Carnitas Enchiladas are done! So easy!

Jackfruit Carnitas Enchiladas — Fried Dandelions — Plant Based Recipes « Fried Dandelions — Plant Based Recipes (2)

What is Jackfruit?

Jackfruit is a tropical fruit grown in southeast Asia. In recent years it’s taken the vegan world by storm as it looks so much like shredded meat. It’s pretty strange to prepare the first few times, but you get used to it! Jackfruit has a very mild flavor, so it takes on the flavor of whatever you season it with. I use it in soups, and even as it’s own main dish! Be sure to buy the cans of young jackfruit in brine or water, NOT in juice. And while you can prepare a fresh one, from what I’ve heard, I’m not sure it’s worth the hassle!

Jackfruit Carnitas Enchiladas — Fried Dandelions — Plant Based Recipes « Fried Dandelions — Plant Based Recipes (3)

Carnitas

Carnitas literally translates to “little meats.” Carnitas tacos used to be one of my very favorite things to order before I became vegan—it’s made from shredded pork and seasoned and simmered. Jackfruit has a really similar look, so it is a perfect vegan swap in these Jackfruit Carnitas Enchiladas!

Jackfruit Carnitas Enchiladas — Fried Dandelions — Plant Based Recipes « Fried Dandelions — Plant Based Recipes (4)

Semi Homemade

I do love to make homemade enchilada sauce, but sometimes it’s nice to take a cheat from the store, giving me time to work on other components of the dish, like the jackfruit carnitas and the queso! Double check the ingredient list, but lots of vegan enchilada sauces are just waiting for you in the store. I like the Hatch brand. I get the mild sauce, but it’s still got a bit of a kick. To temper that for my kids I mix together one can of enchilada sauce and one can of tomato sauce (not marinara). Perfect!

Jackfruit Carnitas Enchiladas — Fried Dandelions — Plant Based Recipes « Fried Dandelions — Plant Based Recipes (5)

Jackfruit Carnitas Enchiladas — Fried Dandelions — Plant Based Recipes « Fried Dandelions — Plant Based Recipes (6)

So Easy to Make!

Jackfruit Carnitas Enchiladas

I hope you have a chance to try these Jackfruit Carnitas Enchiladas. They have been a super hit in my family! In fact, as I was editing pictures today Jonathan was watching over my shoulder and kept asking “can we eat that mama?” I guess I’ve got a fan on my hands! Be sure to take a picture when you make them and give me a tag! {#frieddandelions // @frieddandelions}

Jackfruit Carnitas Enchiladas — Fried Dandelions — Plant Based Recipes « Fried Dandelions — Plant Based Recipes (7)

Jackfruit Carnitas Enchiladas — Fried Dandelions — Plant Based Recipes « Fried Dandelions — Plant Based Recipes (8)

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5 from 1 vote

Jackfruit Carnitas Enchiladas

Jackfruit Carnitas Enchiladas are sure to be a hit with your whole family! With a few easy steps and shortcuts, you'll have them on the table in no time!

Prep Time30 minutes mins

Cook Time5 minutes mins

Total Time35 minutes mins

Servings: 8 enchiladas

Author: Sarah De la Cruz

Ingredients

For the Jackfruit Carnitas:

  • 1 yellow onion sliced thin (I use my hand held mandolin)
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1 Tablespoon light vegetable oil
  • 2 cans young jackfruit in brine or water
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 lime juiced

For the Enchiladas:

  • 1 batch enchilada sauce OR 1 can store bought enchilada sauce see notes
  • 1 batch Vegan Queso Dip
  • 6-8 tortillas choose gluten free if necessary

To serve:

  • 1 batch guacamole
  • Frijoles de Cabo

Instructions

For the Jackfruit Carnitas:

  • Begin by shredding the jackfruit. I like to discard the round pods, as well as the "triangle points," leaving only the shreds (primarily for aesthetic reasons)

  • Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

  • Add the thinly sliced onion and begin to sauté.

  • Add the garlic and give it a quick stir.

  • Add the jackfruit and stir again.

  • Add the cumin, salt, paprika, and lime juice and stir well to incorporate.

  • Allow to cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

  • Remove from heat and set aside.

For the enchiladas:

  • Pour a small amount of enchilada sauce in the bottom of an 8x8" baking pan (can use a larger pan if you are making more enchiladas).

  • Place a tortilla on a flat surface.

  • Place a small amount of the jackfruit carnitas in a line down the center of the tortilla.

  • Drizzle a tablespoon each of the enchilada sauce and queso dip on top of the jackfruit carnitas.

  • Roll the tortilla up, leaving the ends open.

  • Place it seam side down in the pan.

  • Repeat with remaining tortillas and jackfruit carnitas. I can make up to 8 enchiladas from one batch of carnitas usually.

  • Pour the remaining enchilada sauce on top of the enchiladas covering most (but not all) of the tortillas (I often have a little bit of sauce leftover).

  • Drizzle the enchiladas with queso dip.

  • Pop the whole pan under the broiler for about 3 minutes, checking frequently to make sure that the enchiladas brown, but do not burn.

  • Remove from oven.

  • Sprinkle with cilantro and serve!

Notes

Easy Enchilada Sauce

To make store bought sauce less spicy: I mix together one can of enchilada sauce and one can of tomato sauce (not marinara).

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Jackfruit Carnitas Enchiladas — Fried Dandelions — Plant Based Recipes « Fried Dandelions — Plant Based Recipes (9)

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Jackfruit Carnitas Enchiladas — Fried Dandelions — Plant Based Recipes « Fried Dandelions — Plant Based Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is vegan jackfruit? ›

Jackfruit is an exotic fruit with a unique shredded meat-like texture. This makes it a popular plant-based replacement for meat in curries, tacos, or pulled meat sandwiches. Thanks to its mild flavor, jackfruit can easily be incorporated into various other recipes, appetizers, and desserts.

Does jackfruit taste like chicken? ›

What Does Jackfruit Taste Like? Ripe yellow jackfruit has a subtly sweet flavor, often described as a combination of banana, apple, and mango. Young green jackfruit, on the other hand, has a neutral flavor and texture similar to shredded meat, making it a popular meat substitute in savory dishes.

How to make meat from jackfruit? ›

You can easily separate the flesh of unripe jackfruit with your fingers or shred it with two forks. Then add your seasoning and sauces before sautéing or simmering until it softens. Jackfruit is a great addition to curries as it takes on the flavour of the sauce as it bubbles away.

Is jackfruit a vegetable yes or no? ›

Originally Answered: Is Jackfruit a vegetable or a fruit? Jackfruit is actually a fruit. It is the largest tree-borne fruit in the world, and it is native to South and Southeast Asia.

Why jackfruit is called non veg? ›

The ripe fruit is sweet (depending on variety) and is commonly used in desserts. Canned green jackfruit has a mild taste and meat-like texture that lends itself to being called "vegetable meat". Jackfruit is commonly used in South and Southeast Asian cuisines. Both ripe and unripe fruits are consumed.

Why is jackfruit so expensive? ›

On the other hand, lower market competition provides sellers and buyers with more options and increased bargaining power, leading to higher jackfruit prices. The price of jackfruit is largely influenced by transportation costs, a factor particularly relevant due to the large and heavy nature of the fruit.

Is canned jackfruit healthy? ›

The Bottom Line. Jackfruit is very good for you for many reasons. It is high in nutrients and antioxidants and may have a number of health benefits, including improved blood sugar control. You can easily incorporate jackfruit into your diet by eating it plain or in various dishes.

Is canned jackfruit already cooked? ›

Do I need to cook canned jackfruit? Yes. The cooking stage is when the transformation from unripe fruit to rich, meaty dish takes place.

How do you make jackfruit taste good? ›

Garlic and onion powder — Combined with the barbecue sauce, these make the jackfruit taste super flavorful and extra savory. Feel free to substitute in a few cloves of fresh garlic for the powder. Paprika — Adds a nice peppery flavor without too much heat.

Why do vegans use jackfruit? ›

Jackfruit is also rich in the phytochemicals that are protective against certain cancers, as well as flavonoids and lignans that can reduce inflammation. A cup of sliced jackfruit is just 157 calories, making it a lean alternative to shredded pork or chicken, which it's often used to substitute.

What does jackfruit taste like? ›

The jackfruit texture is not dissimilar to a banana, mango, or pineapple in terms of being dense and fibrous. But the taste is quite distinctive. Some say it's sweet, and some say a jackfruit has a flavor similar to pulled pork, especially when cooked.

What is jackfruit made of? ›

Jackfruit is a tropical tree fruit grown in Asia, Africa and South America. It belongs to the same plant family as figs and mulberries. Under its thick, bumpy green rind is a stringy yellow flesh that you can eat raw or cooked in a variety of dishes. (Its seeds are also edible.)

What is jackfruit and how do you eat it? ›

The most commonly consumed part of jackfruit is the flesh, or fruit pods, which are edible both when ripe and unripe. It can be used in sweet and savory dishes, including desserts and curries. The seeds are also safe to eat. consumed in many parts of the world.

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