Make your next taco night plant-based with this Flavorful Tender jack-fruit carnitas with perfectly crispy edges.

overhead image of a roll of jackfruit carnita tacos topped with red onion, lime and cilantro

Why you'll love this recipe

Texture and Flavor: Jack-fruit makes for a great pulled "pork" type texture. If you haven't cooked with it before, trust us it is easy. Especially since they come in cans, which makes for a fairly quick meal. Its flavor is mild, allowing the seasonings to do the work and give these carnitas their flair.
Easy: Just squeeze out the brine from the jackfruit using a clean kitchen towel. This process also helps break down the jackfruit chunks into more shredded pieces. Then season and bake! No chopping needed!

overhead image of two opened cans of jackfruit, a sliced orange, soy sauce and spices on a marble top

Ingredients

Jackfruit in a can
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Cumin powder
Soy sauce (or liquid amino for soy/ gluten free)
Orange

How to make jackfruit carnitas

1. Open, drain, and rinse the canned jackfruit.

image of canned jackfruit pieces on a clean kitchen towel ready to squeeze out the brine

2. Place jackfruit pieces in a clean kitchen towel.

image of hands squeezing jackfruit that is wrapped in a clean kitchen towel

3. Squeeze the water and brine from the jackfruit by twisting the kitchen towel tightly. Use this opportunity to breakdown the chunks into shreds.

image of jackfruit that has been shredded

4. Place shredded jackfruit in a bowl. Use clean hands to break apart any large pieces.

image of a hand tossing in spices on the shredded jackfruit in a bowl

5. Season the jackfruit.

image of shredded jackfruit spread on a baking sheet

6. Transfer jackfruit to a baking sheet.

image of baked crispy shredded jackfruit carnitas

7. Bake until edges crisp.

image of jackfruit carnitas tacos topped with red onion, cilanto, and lime

Serving suggestions

Enjoy as a taco! Heat up some corn or flour tortillas, salsa, guacamole, and lime. If you're feeling a bit adventurous, make some mango avocado salsa in advance to enjoy with chips or on tacos, or try our Peruvian red onion salsa that pairs perfectly with carnitas (as pictured in this post).
You can also enjoy in a sandwich, wrap, bowl, pizza, really wherever. Jack fruit is versatile.

Jackfruit Carnitas

Make your next taco night plant-based with this flavorful tender jackfruit carnitas with perfectly crispy edges.

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Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 20

Total Time: 30

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Mexican

Diet: Vegan

Keyword: Vegan Dinner, Vegan Meat

Servings: tacos

Equipment

1 kitchen towel clean
1 Large Bowl
1 Baking Sheet

Ingredients

2 20oz cans jackfruit
½ tbsp garlic powder
½ tbsp onion powder
½ tbsp cumin powder
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 orange juiced
¼ tsp salt
1 tbsp oil

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 °F
Canned Jackfruit: Open the 2 20oz cans jackfruit, drain and rinse. Use a clean kitchen towel to squeeze out the water and brine. Keep squeezing and twisting the towel to break apart the jackfruit.
Shred: Toss jack-fruit in a large bowl. Use clean hands to tear apart any large or hard pieces.
Season: Add ½ tbsp garlic powder,½ tbsp onion powder, ½ tbsp cumin, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 orange juiced, ¼ tsp salt, and 1 tbsp oil. Mix until evenly combined with the shredded jackfruit.
Bake: In a baking sheet, spread the jackfruit and bake for 20 minutes, flipping half way through the cooking. The edges will crisp up when done.
Serve: Heat up some corn or flour tortillas to fill with jackfruit carnitas, serve with toppings of your choice.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

We hope you enjoy this recipe. Remember, every step you take towards a plant-based lifestyle is something to be proud of.
Whether you're vegan, trying to eat more plant-based meals, or just here for a delicious recipe -
thank you for being part of the journey with us!