Jackfruit Carnitas
The following recipe and photography were provided by our partner, Yoko Segawa of Yoko’s Kitchen.
You’d never believe that these carnitas are completely plant based!
While traditional carnitas are made from braised pork, this recipe recreates the same flavor with fresh cut jackfruit from Heinen’s Produce Department.
Jackfruit has a mild flavor and a unique, stringy texture that mimics the pull-apart quality of pork and chicken, making it a perfect plant-based meat substitute for tacos, sandwiches, bowls, and more. It’s also packed with nutrients, low in calories and sugar, and a good source of fiber. Jackfruit is much more than just a meat substitute—it’s a superfood!
One thing about jackfruit is that it can be difficult to cut and slice. Heinen’s eliminates this hassle by cutting the jackfruit fresh in store and packaging the vibrant pods in convenient containers, so it’s ready to use when you get home.
In this recipe, jackfruit is sautéed with a blend of traditional carnitas spices, then wrapped in warm flour tortillas and topped with Heinen’s Fan Favorite fresh made guacamole and pico de gallo. It’s the ideal way to enjoy a lighter, flavorful take on a classic Mexican-inspired dish.
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- Heinen’s fresh cut jackfruit is a convenient, high-quality shortcut. The most time consuming part of enjoying jackfruit is getting to the pods inside the fruit. Heinen’s fresh jackfruit is cut and seeded in store and ready to be enjoyed straight out of the container or in any of your favorite plant-based recipes.
- It’s easy and quick to prepare. Unlike pork carnitas, Jackfruit Carnitas don’t require a long cook time. Fresh jackfruit cooks very quickly, so you can enjoy a healthy meal in under 30 minutes. It’s best served hot, but it can also be packaged and chilled for meals later in the week.
- It’s a healthy plant-based protein substitute. Jackfruit makes a perfect meat-free filling! Make it into tacos, as seen in this recipe, or into a Jackfruit “Faux Pulled Pork” Sandwich. No matter what vessel you choose, or if you eat it plain, you’re sure to love it!
Jackfruit Carnitas
Servings: 4
Ingredients
For the Jackfruit Carnitas
- ½ onion, diced
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 16 oz. Heinen's fresh cut jackfruit, cut into strips
- ¼ cup Heinen's tomato paste
- 1 tsp. Heinen's chili powder
- ½ tsp. Heinen's oregano
- ½ tsp. Heinen's ground cumin
- ½ tsp. Heinen's smoked paprika
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ tsp. salt
- 1 Tbsp. lime juice
- 1 Tbsp. soy sauce
- ¾ cup water
- A dash black pepper
- Heinen's extra virgin olive oil, for cooking
For the Tacos
- Tortilla
- Heinen’s fresh made guacamole
- Heinen’s fresh pico de gallo
- Cilantro, chopped
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 2-3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
- Stir in the jackfruit, tomato paste, chili powder, oregano, ground cumin, and smoked paprika. Cook for 2-3 minutes. Add the lime juice, soy sauce, bay leaf, and water. Cover with the lid and simmer for 10-15 minutes, until the jackfruit is slightly softened. Reduce the heat to low, if necessary, to maintain a gentle simmer. Uncover and cook off the moisture, if needed. Remove from the heat.
- On a tortilla, arrange the jackfruit carnitas and top with guacamole, pico de gallo, and cilantro.
- Finish with a squeeze of fresh lime and enjoy.
