Tacos de Jackfruit Pibil (Vegan Pibil Tacos)
Shredded young jackfruit simmered in achiote and citrus until it pulls like slow roast pork, piled into warm tortillas with pink onions.
Made with Pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas) and Recado rojo (achiote paste) and Corn tortillas from masa harina. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time50 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £0.71 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Drain and rinse the jackfruit well. Squeeze out the water, cut off any hard cores and pull the rest apart into shreds with your fingers.
- 2
Heat the oil in a large frying pan. Fry the onion for 5 minutes until soft, then add the garlic and cumin for 30 seconds.
5 min - 3
Stir in your ready made recado rojo (see the base recipe), the orange juice, lime juice, water and salt until smooth. Add the jackfruit.
- 4
Simmer gently for 25 minutes, stirring now and then and mashing with a spoon, until the sauce is thick and clings to the jackfruit.
25 min - 5
For extra texture, spread it on a tray and grill for 5 minutes until the edges catch.
5 min - 6
Warm your ready made corn tortillas (see the base recipe) in a dry pan. Fill with jackfruit and top with your ready made pickled red onions (see the base recipe).
Tips
- Buy young green jackfruit in brine or water, not the sweet ripe kind in syrup.
- Rinse and squeeze it twice so it does not taste of brine.
- Grilling the finished filling gives crisp edges, like roasted pork.
Storing and freezing
Keep the filling in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Is this vegan?
Yes. Jackfruit, achiote paste, citrus, spices and masa tortillas are all plant based. Check the label of your jackfruit tin for added extras.
What can I use instead of jackfruit?
Shredded oyster mushrooms or cooked chickpeas, lightly crushed, both work well. Cooking times change, so simmer mushrooms for 15 minutes.
Can I make it spicy?
Yes. Add a spoon of habanero salsa or chopped fresh chilli to each taco, as the filling itself is mild.
More made with pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas)
Butter Chicken Jacket Potatoes
EFNFTacos de Lentejas al Chipotle (Smoky Chipotle Lentil Tacos)
VGVDFPoc Chuc (Yucatecan Grilled Pork with Sour Orange)
DFEFNFEmpanadas de Frijoles Refritos y Queso (Refried Bean Empanadas)
NFSee every dish made with pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas)
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.