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How To Make Jackfruit Carnitas (Fresh or Canned Jackfruit)
This jackfruit carnitas recipe is a perfectly flavorful vegan option for tacos, burritos, bowls, and so much more!
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
1 hr
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 154 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Mexican
Ingredients
Carnitas
- 2 20-oz cans young green jackfruit* in water or brine, NOT in syrup, or use 6 heaping cups fresh jackfruit (see notes), 566-g cans
- 2 Tbsp oil 30 mL
- 1 cup diced white onion about 1 onion
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 Tbsp tomato paste 30 g
- 2 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp each oregano and smoked paprika
- ½ tsp each salt and pepper
- 2 bay leaves
- ½ cup orange juice 120 mL
- ½ cup water 120 mL
- 2 Tbsp lime juice 30 mL
- 1 tsp liquid smoke 5 mL
Tacos
- mini tortillas
- avocado
- diced white onion
- cilantro
- lime juice
Instructions
- Dry (If Using Canned Jackfruit): Drain the jackfruit then rinse it well under running water. Drain well, then transfer to a clean dishcloth. Roll it up and wring tightly to squeeze as much moisture out of the jackfruit as possible.
- Flavor Base: Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, cooking until onion is soft and a bit translucent, 3 to 5 minutes.
- Spices: Stir in the tomato paste and all spices. Cook for another 2 minutes.
- Jackfruit: Stir in jackfruit, orange juice, water, lime juice, and liquid smoke. Cover and let simmer for 30 minutes.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Spread jackfruit onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, or until crispy at the edges.
- Serve: Serve hot on tacos with avocado, cilantro, onion, and lime juice!
Cup of Yum
Notes
- *I’ve found that canned young green jackfruit is the most reliable, as compared to fresh jackfruit (which can be much sweeter). Look for it in some organic groceries, or at any Asian supermarket.
- To make this jackfruit carnitas with fresh jackfruit, use 6 cups of shredded fruit, aiming to find one that is underripe and not very sweet
Nutrition Information
Serving
1serving
Calories
154kcal
(8%)
Carbohydrates
20g
(7%)
Protein
2.6g
(5%)
Fat
7.2g
(11%)
Saturated Fat
0.9g
(5%)
Cholesterol
0mg
(0%)
Sodium
377mg
(16%)
Potassium
231mg
(7%)
Fiber
10.3g
(41%)
Sugar
5g
(10%)
Calcium
34mg
(3%)
Iron
7mg
(39%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 154
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 154kcal | 8% |
| Carbohydrates | 20g | 7% |
| Protein | 2.6g | 5% |
| Fat | 7.2g | 11% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.9g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 377mg | 16% |
| Potassium | 231mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 10.3g | 41% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Calcium | 34mg | 3% |
| Iron | 7mg | 39% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.