Go Back
+ servings
A close-up of a cheesy jackfruit enchilada filled with shredded jackfruit, topped with sliced jalapeños, red onions, and melted cheese, being lifted from a pan by a hand.
Print Recipe
5 from 2 votes

Vegan Jackfruit Enchiladas

Absurdly juicy, lime-inflected jackfruit filling, proper red enchilada sauce, and everything baked together until bubbling. These enchiladas fix dinner without anyone requiring a family intervention.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian
Servings: 8 Enchiladas
Calories: 294kcal
Author: Adam Sobel
Cost: $12

Ingredients

For the Jackfruit Filling:

  • 20 oz. Young green jackfruit in brine drained
  • 5 teaspoons olive oil
  • ½ cup red onion small diced
  • 2 teaspoons garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon Mexican chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon oregano
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • ½ cup water
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon salt or to taste

For the Beans:

For the Enchilada Sauce:

To Assemble and Serve:

  • 8 corn tortillas or flour tortillas (6-inch)
  • 1 cup vegan pepper jack cheese or other cheese of your choice
  • Cilantro leaves
  • 1 jalapeño sliced (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons red onion minced

Instructions

  • Drain the jackfruit well in a wire mesh strainer, then squeeze firmly to remove excess brine and break the pieces into shredded, uneven chunks.
  • Heat olive oil in a wide skillet over medium-high heat. After 90 seconds, when the oil is hot, add the jackfruit in an even layer. Cook for 8 minutes, stirring and flipping every 2 minutes, until lightly golden on multiple sides.
  • Add the red onion, the garlic, coriander, cumin, and oregano and sauté for another 2 minutes until the onions and garlic are fragrant
  • Stir in the tomato paste, water, lime juice, and salt. Reduce to medium-low heat and cook for 6 minutes, stirring every 60 seconds, until most of the liquid has reduced. Remove from the heat and set aside.
  • Place the chipotle peppers, pinto beans, water, tomato paste, and salt in a bowl and combine thoroughly. Remove and mash roughly ¼ of the beans with the back of a spoon and add them back into the bowl of beans.
  • To make the enchilada sauce, place the chili powder, cumin, coriander, cocoa powder, cinnamon, tomato paste, agave nectar, lime juice, flour, vegetable stock, and salt in a blender and blend until completely smooth.
  • Pour the sauce into a saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat, whisking every 30 seconds or so for 5-6 minutes until thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon. Remove from the heat.
  • Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread ½ cup of the enchilada sauce evenly across the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch baking dish or casserole dish.
  • Warm the tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds per side to make them pliable.
  • Fill each tortilla with about a ¼ cup portion of the jackfruit meat and beans, roll tightly, and place seam-side down in the baking dish.
  • Pour the remaining enchilada sauce evenly over the enchiladas and sprinkle the cheese evenly across the top. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
  • Remove the foil and bake for 10 additional minutes, until the sauce is bubbling and the cheese is fully melted. Remove from the oven and let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Optionally garnish with cilantro, jalapeño, and red onion.

Notes

💪 Main Squeeze 
Press out as much brine as possible or the jackfruit won't brown properly and will just steam itself with the canned juice flavor of dirty gym clothes.
🌯 Warm the Tortillas, But Don’t Cook Them
Cold tortillas crack, and overcooked ones get brittle and leak filling everywhere. Heat them just until pliable and call it good. ⏸️ Rest in Peace Give the enchiladas a few minutes after baking so the sauce settles and nobody burns their face off on molten vegan cheese.

Nutrition

Calories: 294kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 1276mg | Potassium: 481mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 708IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 212mg | Iron: 3mg