Easy Jackfruit Tacos with Mango Avocado Salsa: Your New Favorite Plant-Based Meal

Looking for a vibrant, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying vegetarian dish? These Easy Jackfruit Tacos are not just a meal; they’re a celebration of fresh ingredients and exciting textures. Topped with a homemade avocado mango salsa, every bite delivers a perfect harmony of sweet, creamy, tangy, and savory notes. Prepare to transform your taco night with this utterly delicious and surprisingly simple plant-based recipe!

If you’re searching for a dynamic and exciting way to invigorate your weekly taco night rotation, these Jackfruit Tacos are about to become your ultimate go-to! They strike the perfect balance between robust flavor and refreshing zest, making them an instant crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re a devoted vegetarian, looking to incorporate more plant-based meals into your diet, or simply curious about trying new ingredients, this recipe offers a fantastic culinary adventure that is both super tasty and incredibly fresh – definitely a resounding “yes” from my kitchen!

Why You’ll Absolutely Love This Easy Jackfruit Tacos Recipe

These Jackfruit Tacos aren’t just another vegetarian option; they offer a unique combination of qualities that make them truly exceptional. Here’s why you’ll be adding this recipe to your favorites list:

• Incredibly Meaty Texture, Completely Plant-Based: One of the most remarkable aspects of young green jackfruit is its ability to wonderfully mimic the texture of pulled pork or shredded chicken when cooked. It shreds easily and absorbs flavors beautifully, making it an ideal meat substitute that will impress even the most ardent meat-lovers with its satisfying chewiness. This makes for a hearty and fulfilling taco filling without any animal products.
• Bursting with Fresh & Vibrant Toppings: The star topping, our avocado mango salsa, elevates these tacos to another level. It provides a delightful blend of tropical sweetness from the mango, creamy richness from the avocado, and a zesty tang from fresh lime and cilantro. This combination cuts through the savory jackfruit, creating an explosion of fresh flavors in every single bite.
• Quick & Simple Weeknight Meal Solution: Despite their gourmet taste, these jackfruit tacos are surprisingly straightforward to prepare. With canned jackfruit as your base, much of the prep work is already done. The cooking process for the filling is fast, and assembling the tacos comes together in minutes, making them perfect for busy weeknights when you crave something special without a lengthy cooking commitment.
• Highly Customizable for Every Palate: This recipe offers fantastic flexibility, allowing you to easily adjust it to your taste preferences or what you have on hand. Want more heat? Add extra chipotle. Prefer different vegetables? Swap them in! The core recipe is a canvas for your creativity, ensuring everyone at the table can enjoy a taco just the way they like it.
• Healthy & Wholesome Ingredients: Packed with natural fruits, vegetables, and a great source of fiber from the jackfruit, these tacos are a wholesome choice. They are lighter than traditional meat tacos yet still incredibly satisfying, providing a nutritious meal that feels indulgent.

Key Ingredients and Smart Substitutions

Crafting the perfect jackfruit taco means starting with quality ingredients, but don’t fret if you need to make a few swaps. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need and how to adjust:

• Minced Garlic: Freshly minced garlic provides an aromatic depth to the jackfruit filling. In a pinch, you can absolutely use garlic powder, typically about ¼ teaspoon per clove, to maintain that essential garlicky flavor.
• Low Sodium Soy Sauce: This ingredient adds a savory, umami richness to the jackfruit. For those avoiding gluten, tamari or coconut aminos are excellent, flavor-rich alternatives that perform just as well.
• Taco Seasoning: A good quality taco seasoning is key to giving the jackfruit its authentic flavor profile. While store-bought works, making your own taco seasoning with a blend of chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika allows you to control the spice and freshness.
• Avocado: The creamy avocado is vital for the salsa, adding a luxurious texture and healthy fats. If fresh avocado isn’t available or you’re short on time, store-bought guacamole can be a quick stand-in. For a lighter salsa, you can opt to skip it entirely or reduce the amount.
• Chopped White Onion: White onions bring a sharp, pungent kick to the cooked jackfruit. Yellow or red onions can be used as alternatives, each offering a slightly different flavor nuance. For a milder onion flavor, finely chopped green onions (scallions) are a great choice.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Essential for sautéing and building flavor. Any neutral-flavored oil such as avocado oil, canola oil, or even vegetable oil will work perfectly here without altering the taste significantly.
• Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce: These provide a smoky, moderate heat that is characteristic of many Mexican-inspired dishes. For a milder version or if chipotles aren’t available, chipotle powder or simply smoked paprika can impart a similar smoky essence without the intense spice.
• Diced Mango: The mango in the salsa offers a tropical sweetness that beautifully contrasts the savory jackfruit. Other sweet, firm fruits like pineapple or peaches can be delightful substitutes. Canned mango, drained and diced, is also a convenient option.
• Pico de Gallo: This fresh tomato and onion salsa adds another layer of freshness and texture. You can use store-bought pico de gallo for convenience or easily make your own with fresh diced tomatoes, onion, lime juice, and cilantro.
• Corn Tortillas: The traditional choice for tacos, corn tortillas provide an authentic flavor and texture. Feel free to use flour tortillas for a softer wrap, crisp hard taco shells for crunch, or even lettuce wraps for a gluten-free and low-carb option.
• Shredded Red Cabbage: Red cabbage adds a beautiful color, crisp crunch, and a subtle peppery note. Green cabbage or a pre-made slaw mix are excellent alternatives that will still provide that satisfying textural contrast.
• Red Onion (for salsa): Red onion lends a vibrant color and a slightly sweeter, milder flavor to the mango salsa compared to white onions. If unavailable, finely diced white or yellow onion can be used, though the flavor will be a bit sharper.
• Canned Jackfruit in Brine: This is the star ingredient. It is crucial to use canned young green jackfruit packed in brine or water, not syrup. Jackfruit in syrup is sweet and intended for desserts, which will not work for savory tacos.
• Sour Cream: A dollop of sour cream adds a creamy, cool contrast to the spicy and fresh flavors. For a healthier or dairy-free option, Greek yogurt (plain, unsweetened) offers a similar tang and creaminess, or choose a plant-based sour cream.

How to Prepare These Delicious Jackfruit Tacos

Making these flavorful jackfruit tacos is a straightforward process, broken down into a few simple steps. Follow these instructions to create a memorable meal:

Step 1: Prepare the Jackfruit for Cooking.

Begin by thoroughly draining the canned jackfruit from its brine. Transfer the drained jackfruit to a colander and rinse it exceptionally well under cold running water. This step is crucial to remove any residual briny flavor. After rinsing, use your hands to firmly squeeze out as much excess liquid as possible. Then, using your fingers or two forks, shred the jackfruit into small, pulled-meat-like pieces, making sure to remove and discard any hard seeds or core pieces you encounter. The goal is a texture resembling shredded chicken or pork.

Step 2: Sauté the Onions.

Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large, sturdy skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the finely diced white onion to the pan. Sauté the onions for approximately 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until they become soft, translucent, and fragrant. This process mellows their sharpness and brings out their natural sweetness, forming a delicious aromatic base for your jackfruit filling.

Step 3: Cook and Season the Jackfruit Filling.

Once the onions are softened, add the prepared shredded jackfruit to the skillet. Sprinkle in the taco seasoning, soy sauce, minced garlic, and minced chipotle peppers. Stir all the ingredients together thoroughly, ensuring the jackfruit is evenly coated with the spices and sauces. Continue to cook for another 4-5 minutes, allowing the jackfruit to warm through and deeply absorb all the wonderful flavors. The mixture should become fragrant and slightly caramelized. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed, then remove the pan from the heat.

Step 4: Prepare the Mango Avocado Salsa.

While the jackfruit filling is cooking, prepare your vibrant mango avocado salsa. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the diced avocado, diced mango, diced red onion, fresh lime juice, finely chopped cilantro, and a pinch of salt. Gently toss all the ingredients together until they are well combined but still retain their texture. This salsa adds a burst of freshness and creaminess that is absolutely essential to these tacos.

Step 5: Warm the Tortillas and Assemble Your Tacos.

To ensure your tacos are soft and pliable, gently warm the corn tortillas. You can do this by heating them in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 15-20 seconds per side, in the microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute until softened, or wrapped in foil in a preheated oven for a few minutes. Once warm, fill each tortilla generously with the flavorful jackfruit mixture.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve Immediately!

Now for the fun part! Top each jackfruit taco with a generous portion of shredded red cabbage for a refreshing crunch, a spoonful of the homemade mango avocado salsa, a dollop of vibrant pico de gallo, a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, and an optional swirl of sour cream (or a dairy-free alternative). Serve immediately and savor the incredible medley of flavors and textures!

Frequently Asked Questions About Jackfruit Tacos

New to cooking with jackfruit or just curious? Here are some common questions answered:

Is jackfruit high in protein?

Compared to traditional meat, jackfruit is significantly lower in protein. It’s an excellent source of dietary fiber and vitamins, but if you’re looking to boost the protein content of your meal, I highly recommend adding complementary ingredients. Great options include serving your jackfruit tacos with a side of black beans, topping them with a sprinkle of nutritional yeast, or even adding some crumbled, seasoned tofu to the filling. This ensures a more balanced and fulfilling meal.

How do I cook raw jackfruit for tacos?

Cooking raw jackfruit is a bit more involved than using canned, but it’s absolutely doable! First, you’ll need to meticulously peel off the tough, green outer skin and remove all the large seeds. Then, cut the remaining tender flesh into small chunks. The next step is to boil or steam these chunks for about 30-40 minutes, or until they become very tender and can be easily pierced with a fork. Once soft, allow them to cool slightly, then shred the jackfruit with a fork or your hands, just like you would with the canned version. From there, you can proceed with sautéing it with olive oil, onions, garlic, taco seasoning, and your preferred sauces, exactly as described in this recipe for canned jackfruit. It offers a slightly different, perhaps even fresher, flavor but does require more effort.

Are jackfruit tacos gluten-free?

Yes, these jackfruit tacos can easily be made completely gluten-free! The jackfruit itself is naturally gluten-free. To ensure your tacos are GF, make sure to use certified gluten-free corn tortillas (many brands are). Additionally, swap out regular soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos, which are both gluten-free alternatives that provide a similar savory depth. Always double-check the labels on your taco seasoning to confirm it doesn’t contain any hidden gluten ingredients. With these simple adjustments, everyone can enjoy these delicious plant-based tacos!

What to Serve with These Flavorful Jackfruit Tacos

To complete your taco feast, I highly recommend pairing these fresh and vibrant jackfruit tacos with sides that offer complementary textures and flavors. Here are some fantastic ideas to elevate your meal:

• Crispy Chips and Creamy Guacamole: A classic pairing! The crunchy chips and rich, homemade guacamole are always a hit and perfect for scooping up any fallen taco fillings.
• Cowboy Caviar: This colorful and fresh bean salad is packed with corn, black beans, peppers, and a zesty dressing. It adds a wonderful texture and another layer of plant-based goodness to your meal.
• Healthy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries: For a comforting side with a touch of sweetness, crispy sweet potato fries made in the air fryer are an excellent choice. They offer a warm, savory contrast to the fresh tacos.
• Refreshing Quinoa Salad: A light yet filling quinoa salad, perhaps with some diced cucumber, tomatoes, and a lemon-herb dressing, provides a nutritious and refreshing accompaniment.
• Black Bean and Corn Salad: A simple mix of canned black beans, corn, red onion, cilantro, and lime juice makes for a quick and flavorful side that also boosts the protein content.

How to Store and Reheat Your Jackfruit Tacos

These jackfruit tacos are not only delicious fresh but also work wonderfully for meal prep. Here’s how to store and reheat them to maintain their deliciousness:

Make Ahead for Convenience: You can prepare the jackfruit filling and the mango avocado salsa up to 2 days in advance. Store them in separate, airtight containers in the refrigerator. This allows for quick assembly when you’re ready to enjoy your tacos.

Storing Leftovers: Any leftover cooked jackfruit filling should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep any remaining salsa and other fresh toppings (like shredded cabbage) in separate containers to maintain their freshness and prevent sogginess.

Effortless Reheating: To reheat the jackfruit filling, you have a couple of easy options. You can warm it in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it’s heated through. Alternatively, for a quicker method, reheat it in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until it reaches your desired temperature. Always reassemble your tacos with fresh, warm tortillas and toppings.

Freezing for Longer Storage: The cooked jackfruit filling freezes exceptionally well! Transfer the cooled filling to a freezer-safe airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag, removing as much air as possible. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to use it, thaw the filling overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat it using the skillet or microwave method before serving.

Recommended Meal Prep Tools

To make your taco preparation and meal-prepping even easier, having the right tools on hand can make a significant difference. Consider these:

• Grab some durable glass meal prep bowls if you’re planning to turn this delicious recipe into your convenient weekly lunches. They’re perfect for keeping your jackfruit filling and salsa fresh and separate until you’re ready to assemble.
• A sturdy cast iron skillet or a high-quality non-stick pan is ideal for perfectly browning the jackfruit and achieving that desirable texture.
• A good quality chef’s knife and cutting board will make prepping all your fresh vegetables and fruits for the salsa a breeze.