Super Simple BBQ Jackfruit Tacos [30-Minute Meal]

Easy Pulled Jackfruit Tacos (Gluten-Free & Vegan) 

Need an easy weeknight meal that is also healthy and gluten-free? Look no further than this BBQ jackfruit tacos recipe!

Perfect for Taco Tuesday or when you want to make a quick bite to eat. It’s super fast to throw this together in half an hour, and you can feel great about it, knowing that you created something that’s plant-based and sticks to your dietary restrictions.

This recipe includes jackfruit, which tastes similar to meat. Plus, the recipe is simple to follow. Here are the ingredients you’ll need to have on hand.

Ingredients

• Jackfruit, 2 cans with brine specifically, do not use syrup

• Olive oil 2 tablespoons

• Taco seasoning ½ teaspoon

• Chili powder ½ teaspoon

• 1 onion

• 3 garlic cloves

• Vegetable broth ½ cup

• BBQ sauce ¼ cup (if you want to make this from scratch, you need 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika and 1/4 cup tomato paste, together these make 1 teaspoon of the steak seasoning)

• Corn tortillas (10 of them)

To add garnish to the tacos:

• Cilantro, ¼ cup

• Sour cream (vegan version) or use aioli, ⅓ cup

• 1 avocado

• Jalapeño, sliced 1/4

How to Shred Jackfruit

You can start by breaking apart jackfruit with your fingers. From there, put the jackfruit in a colander and use a potato masher to break it down further.

Next, a fork can help you to break the fruit apart into smaller pieces. It’s important that you don’t overdo the shredding, because jackfruit can become mushy in texture if you do so.

How to Make Pulled Jackfruit Tacos

Making this recipe is incredibly easy and won’t take much time. Perfect for a plant-based family or anyone who prefers a vegan diet.

The first thing you should do is shred the jackfruit so it’s easy to eat. To do this, you can use a potato masher in a colander if you have one handy. It will help with breaking apart the larger chunks of fruit. 

You can also use a fork to shred the jackfruit to get a similar result. When you’re done, the jackfruit should resemble pulled meat.

Next, chop up the garlic and onion and add them to a saute pan with olive oil. Heat until the onion turns transparent, then add the shredded jackfruit. Heat for 2 minutes.

After this, add the remaining ingredients of barbecue sauce, seasoning, and vegetable broth to the mixture. Keep cooking this on the stove until there is less liquid in the skillet. Stir every once in a while.

Last, gather the tortillas and garnish ingredients. Add the jackfruit to the tortillas and top with garnish.

What is Jackfruit?

Jackfruit is a delicious fruit that has a texture and flavor that is quite close to meat. It is a large fruit, and it is found in Africa, South America, and Asia. It grows in trees, and because of its flavor and texture, you may choose to use it for dishes that require meat, like chicken or pulled pork.

What Does Pulled BBQ Jackfruit Taste Like?

The taste of jackfruit is quite like pulled pork, making it ideal for dinner recipes. This means you don’t have to compromise on flavor while still being healthy.

Young jackfruit is usually what is found in canned jackfruit. It doesn’t have much of a flavor so takes on marinades well.

Ripe or older jackfruit, and fresh jackfruit, are much sweeter. It’s very sticky and doesn’t shred as well.

This jackfruit is sometimes found canned but is usually in a sweetened syrup. You don’t want to use this version in this recipe because it will turn out really sweet and mushy.

Is Canned Jackfruit Raw or Cooked?

Canned jackfruit is already cooked because when it’s processed it’s heated. In fact, if you were in a hurry, you could eat it right from the can. But when you purchase canned jackfruit, it comes in syrup or brine.

Do I Need to Rinse Canned Jackfruit?

Yes, it’s a smart idea to rinse the jackfruit before eating. Since brine has a flavor that can be overpowering, rinsing is beneficial.

Is Jackfruit Healthier than Meat?

Jackfruit is a fruit that tastes similar to meat, and it does have a lot of health benefits. For example, it is low in both calories and fat. 

In addition, it has fiber and no cholesterol at all. If you stick to a vegetarian or vegan diet or are trying to skip added fat in food, this is a great option. If you’re trying to add more fiber to your diet, you could add shredded jackfruit to pulled pork to bulk it up.

Is Canned Jackfruit Healthy?

Jackfruit is a healthy alternative to meat. It’s a low-carb and low-sugar option for people that prefer to avoid these in their diet. In addition, jackfruit is full of fiber, which is ideal for a healthy gut and being less susceptible to disease.

There’s no doubt this fruit has minerals and vitamins that will help you be your healthiest self, as well as phytochemicals.

Final Thoughts

One of the best things about pulled jackfruit tacos is the simplicity of making them. The ingredients are probably things you already have in your pantry at home, and they’re fast to make! Jackfruit also has a flavor similar to meat.

Ideal for plant-based families that need an easy and healthy meal for dinner time – even picky eaters will love this recipe! Kids love these BBQ jackfruit tacos, and vegan and vegetarian diets can avoid meat but still enjoy eating tacos!