Vegetarian Carnitas Tacos

Say hello to taco night done right with these irresistible Vegetarian Carnitas Tacos! This plant-based twist on a Mexican favorite features tender, shredded young green jackfruit simmered in a zesty blend of orange juice, soy sauce, and warming spices like smoked paprika, cumin, and chili powder. The jackfruit transforms into a perfectly spiced, pulled pork-like filling that's caramelized to golden perfection for maximum flavor. Served on soft, warm corn tortillas and topped with fresh cilantro, a squeeze of lime, and creamy avocado, these tacos are a vibrant, crowd-pleasing meal that’s as satisfying as it is wholesome. Quick to prepare, vegan-friendly, and effortlessly delicious, this recipe proves meatless meals can be bold and exciting for any dinner table!

Nutriscore Rating: 78/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:75 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 cans (20 oz each) Canned young green jackfruit
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 Large onion, chopped
• 3 Garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon Oregano
• 1 teaspoon Chili powder
• 1 cup Vegetable broth
• 1 cup Orange juice
• 2 tablespoons Soy sauce
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 12 Corn tortillas
• 0.5 cup Fresh cilantro, chopped
• 2 Lime wedges
• 1 Avocado, sliced (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Drain and rinse the jackfruit from the cans. Using your hands, shred the jackfruit pieces to resemble pulled pork and discard any hard seed pods you find.

Step 2

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until it's translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 4

Stir in the shredded jackfruit along with cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, and chili powder. Cook the spices with the jackfruit for about 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the jackfruit to start browning slightly.

Step 5

Pour in the vegetable broth, orange juice, and soy sauce. Add salt and black pepper, and bring the mixture to a simmer.

Step 6

Reduce heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for about 30 minutes. Stir occasionally, adding more vegetable broth if it starts to dry out.

Step 7

After 30 minutes, uncover the skillet, increase the heat to medium-high, and cook for another 10 minutes to allow any excess liquid to evaporate and the jackfruit to caramelize slightly.

Step 8

Meanwhile, warm the corn tortillas by heating them in a dry skillet over medium heat or by wrapping them in aluminum foil and placing them in a warm oven for a few minutes.

Step 9

Once the jackfruit carnitas are ready, assemble the tacos by placing a portion of the jackfruit on each warm tortilla.

Step 10

Top with fresh cilantro, a squeeze of lime juice, and avocado slices if using.

Step 11

Serve immediately and enjoy your flavorful vegetarian carnitas tacos!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2638.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2269.1

Total Fat 58.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 8.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.5g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3176.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 395.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 72.4g	0%
Total Sugars 50.0g
Protein 56.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 811.7mg	0%
Iron 18.1mg	0%
Potassium 7870.1mg	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: 22.7%

Protein: 9.6%

Carbs: 67.7%