Vegan Arepa with Shredded Beef and Cheese

Take your taste buds on a plant-based adventure with this irresistible Vegan Arepa with Shredded Beef and Cheese! A creative twist on the classic Latin American dish, this recipe features golden, homemade arepas made from pre-cooked cornmeal, stuffed with tender, spiced jackfruit that mimics shredded beef, and topped with creamy, tangy cashew cheese. Every bite showcases a symphony of smoky paprika, savory soy sauce, and zesty lemon in a nutritious, dairy-free meal that’s both comforting and flavorful. Perfect for a hearty lunch or dinner, these stuffed arepas are easy to prepare, entirely vegan, and packed with bold flavors that are sure to impress. Serve fresh and warm for a satisfying dish that’s as wholesome as it is delicious!

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 cups Pre-cooked cornmeal (harina de maiz)
• 2.5 cups Warm water
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil
• 1 can (about 14 ounces) Canned young green jackfruit in brine
• 1 medium, chopped Onion
• 2 minced Garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons Soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
• 1 cup, soaked for 2 hours Cashew nuts
• 3 tablespoons Nutritional yeast
• 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
• 0.5 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Onion powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.75 cup Water

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the pre-cooked cornmeal, warm water, and salt until a dough forms. Let it rest for 5 minutes.

Step 2

Divide the dough into 8 equal portions and shape them into balls. Flatten each ball into discs about 1/2 inch thick.

Step 3

Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Cook the arepas on each side for about 5-7 minutes until golden brown and slightly puffy. Set aside.

Step 4

Rinse and drain the jackfruit, then pat it dry with a clean cloth. Use your hands or a fork to shred the jackfruit.

Step 5

In a separate pan, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking until fragrant and soft, about 3 minutes.

Step 6

Add the shredded jackfruit, tomato paste, soy sauce, smoked paprika, and ground cumin to the pan. Cook for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the jackfruit is flavorful and slightly caramelized.

Step 7

For the cashew cheese, blend the soaked cashew nuts, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and 0.75 cup of water in a blender until smooth and creamy.

Step 8

To assemble, cut the arepas in half horizontally, keeping one edge intact to create a pocket. Fill each arepa with the shredded jackfruit mixture and a generous dollop of cashew cheese.

Step 9

Optionally, return the filled arepas to the skillet to warm them up just before serving.

Step 10

Serve immediately, enjoying your delicious vegan take on arepas with shredded beef and cheese.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1884.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2034.1

Total Fat 35.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 5.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 16.9g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 4511.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 382.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 31.9g	0%
Total Sugars 17.4g
Protein 50.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 210.1mg	0%
Iron 12.5mg	0%
Potassium 2562.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 15.4%

Protein: 9.9%

Carbs: 74.7%