An exotic vegan twist on taco night that’ll fool even the most devoted meat-eaters.
🧑🍳 Overview
- Difficulty: Medium
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Servings: 4 tacos (serves 2 people generously)
- Cuisine: Fusion (Mexican + Asian influence)
📝 Ingredients
For the Jackfruit:
- 1 can of young green jackfruit in brine (NOT syrup), drained and rinsed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, adjust to heat preference)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth
- Juice of 1/2 lime
For the Lime Slaw:
- 1 cup red cabbage, finely shredded
- 1/2 cup carrots, julienned or shredded
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
To Assemble:
- 4 small corn tortillas
- Sliced avocado or guacamole (optional)
- Extra lime wedges for serving
- Fresh chopped jalapeño (optional)
🧑🍳 Instructions
1. Prepare the Jackfruit
- Use your fingers or a fork to shred the jackfruit pieces into pulled-pork-like strips.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onion for 3–4 minutes until soft, then add garlic and cook 1 more minute.

- Add jackfruit and spices (paprika, cumin, cayenne, salt). Stir well.
- Stir in soy sauce, maple syrup, and vegetable broth. Cover and simmer on low for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the lid and cook another 5–7 minutes until most liquid is absorbed and the jackfruit slightly crisps on the edges.
- Finish with lime juice and stir once more.
2. Make the Lime Slaw
- In a bowl, combine shredded cabbage, carrots, cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.

- Mix well and refrigerate until serving to let flavors blend.
3. Warm the Tortillas
- Warm tortillas in a dry pan or over open flame for a slight char.
4. Assemble the Tacos
- Layer the pulled jackfruit onto each tortilla.
- Top generously with lime slaw.
- Add sliced avocado, jalapeño, and a final squeeze of lime if desired.
💡 Tips & Twists
- Make it BBQ-style: Add a spoon of smoky BBQ sauce to the jackfruit for a Southern kick.
- Make it spicier: Add chipotle sauce or pickled jalapeños.
- Storage: Jackfruit filling can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.
🍽️ Nutritional Highlights (per serving, approx.)
- Calories: 320
- Protein: 6g
- Carbs: 42g
- Fat: 14g
- Fiber: 7g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
📂 Categories
- Main Categories: Vegan, Vegetarian
- Additional Categories:
- Meat Alternative
- Fusion Cuisine
- Street Food
- Dinner
- 30-Minute Meals
- High-Fiber
- Dairy-Free
- Plant-Based Protein
- Summer Recipes
🛠️ Chef’s Little Secret Weapon
Let’s be real—cooking jackfruit without the right tools is like trying to salsa dance in ski boots. Not fun. 😅
To truly bring out the magic in this Sweet & Spicy Jackfruit Taco recipe, you’ll want this handy kitchen must-have:
🔥 Non-Stick Skillet
Crispy edges. Perfect caramelization. Zero sticking.
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Whether you’re sautéing jackfruit, flipping pancakes, or building your next AI food masterpiece, a good skillet changes the game.
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AI CULINARY ARTS is reader-supported. Some links on this page are Amazon affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. We only recommend tools we truly believe will help elevate your cooking game. 🍳✨