Vegan Carne Frita

Elevate your plant-based cooking with this bold and savory Vegan Carne Frita, a Puerto Rican-inspired dish that transforms tender young green jackfruit into a flavorful, meat-free alternative. Marinated in a rich blend of soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and smoky spices like paprika and cumin, the jackfruit is cooked to perfection—crispy, caramelized edges and all. A splash of vegetable broth enhances its meaty texture, while a garnish of fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime add vibrant freshness. Ready in just under an hour, this dish pairs beautifully with rice, beans, or tostones for a satisfying and authentic Caribbean meal. Perfect for vegans and anyone seeking a creative twist on a classic favorite, this recipe is proof that plant-based comfort food can be full of flavor and soul.

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 cups canned young green jackfruit
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon sea salt
• 0.5 cup vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 lime, juiced

Directions

Step 1

Drain and rinse the canned young green jackfruit thoroughly. Pat dry with a clean kitchen towel to remove excess moisture.

Step 2

In a large bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, ground cumin, garlic powder, smoked paprika, dried oregano, onion powder, black pepper, and sea salt to create a marinade.

Step 3

Add the jackfruit to the marinade and toss well to ensure all pieces are evenly coated. Allow to marinate for at least 20 minutes.

Step 4

In a large skillet or frying pan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the marinated jackfruit, spreading it out in a single layer.

Step 5

Cook the jackfruit for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking. Use a fork to gently shred the jackfruit into smaller pieces, mimicking the texture of shredded meat.

Step 6

Once the jackfruit is lightly browned, add the vegetable broth to the pan, scraping any browned bits from the bottom. Reduce the heat to low and cover, allowing the jackfruit to simmer for an additional 15 minutes until the liquid has mostly reduced.

Step 7

Uncover and increase the heat to medium-high to crisp up the jackfruit pieces, stirring frequently for about 5 more minutes until lightly caramelized.

Step 8

Remove from heat and sprinkle freshly chopped cilantro and lime juice over the top before serving.

Step 9

Serve the Vegan Carne Frita with rice, beans, and tostones for a complete Puerto Rican-inspired meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(751.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	487.4

Total Fat 30.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 4.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.1g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2641.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 47.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 11.5g	0%
Total Sugars 8.2g
Protein 9.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 208.7mg	0%
Iron 5.3mg	0%
Potassium 2792.8mg	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: 54.8%

Protein: 7.5%

Carbs: 37.7%