March 23, 2023

Jackfruit and Black Bean Tacos with Mango Avocado Salsa

These plant-based tacos are such a delicious, easy meal win! They take only 20 minutes to make and are full of flavor. Not only are they vegan, but they are also gluten-free, dairy-free, and nut-free as well. Perfect for whoever is coming to your table.

Ingredients

We combined canned jackfruit and black beans for these tacos. Jackfruit can have a similar texture to pulled pork, making it perfect for tacos. Plus, we added black beans for a boost of protein.

We love using our simple and budget-friendly Whole30 Homemade Taco Seasoning for these. If you do, you will omit the salt from the taco seasoning recipe, as the vegetables in this recipe are already salted. However, you can use one packet of whatever compatible taco seasoning is accessible to you. Whole30 Approved Siete Foods Taco Seasoning is a great pre-made choice you know is compatible with your Whole30.

Also, we highly recommend the Avocado Mango Salsa. Though you can use whatever salsa you desire, this Avocado Mango Salsa is restaurant quality. Absolutely delicious and really brings your tacos to the next level.

What is jackfruit?

Jackfruit is a tropical tree fruit. For plant-based dishes, it’s often used in it’s unripe form. This is due to its unique ability to imitate the texture and appearance of shredded meat. However, ripe jackfruit is sweet, has a tropical flavor, and does not have that same texture. Thus, for this dish you need unripened or “young” canned jackfruit. We were able to find it at our local natural food store.

The jackfruit will come in large chunks in the can. Drain the water and rinse if the jackfruit was canned in a liquid besides water. See the recipe for two different methods you can use to shred the jackfruit. 

How to serve them

No tortillas or tortilla imitations are allowed on Whole30. You can read the Plant-Based Whole30 Rules here. So, we love our tacos as a salad or in lettuce cup “shells.” Butter lettuce can be especially good for this, as the leaves are nicely curved and slightly flexible. You can also enjoy this dish on top of a bed of lettuce with our Plant-Based Ranch or Chipotle Ranch

Substitutions

  • You can use an equal amount of another canned bean, if you prefer, instead of the black beans.
  • You can use water instead of vegetable broth, if needed.

Jackfruit and Black Bean Tacos with Mango Avocado Salsa

Plant Based Whole30 Jackfruit Black Bean Tacos
Recipe author: Autumn Michaelis

Jackfruit and Black Bean Tacos with Mango Avocado Salsa

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients  

Tacos

  • 2 (14 oz) young jackfruit drained and rinsed
  • 1/4 cup olive or avocado oil
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 1/2 cup vegetable broth
  • Juice of 1 medium lime

Avocado Mango Salsa

  • 1 large mango peeled and diced
  • 1 large avocado peeled and diced
  • 2 tbsp finely chopped red onion
  • 2 tbsp finely chopped cilantro
  • 2 tbsp lime juice (about the juice of one medium lime)
  • 1 tbsp finely chopped jalapeno
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Optional for serving:

  • butter lettuce leaf cups
  • Plant-Based Ranch or Chipotle Ranch

Instructions

  • SHRED drained jackfruit. You can do this one of two ways:
    In a bowl, shred with your hands the jackfruit. Any parts that won’t shred, set aside and then finely chop. Or, in a large food processor, add drained jackfruit. Pulse 3-4 times to shred and finely chop it. Just be sure not to overprocess it, or you will just have jackfruit mush.
  • HEAT oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add shredded jackfruit and black beans. Top with taco seasoning, broth, and lime juice, and stir until combined.
  • SIMMER for 10 minutes, stirring regularly. Liquid should be absorbed.
  • MAKE Avocado Mango Salsa by combining all salsa ingredients in a medium bowl.
  • SERVE tacos in lettuce leaves, topped with salsa and optional Ranch or Chipotle Ranch. Enjoy!
Autumn Michaelis wearing an apron and holding a bowl of fresh salad smiling at the camera.

Autumn Michaelis

Autumn Michaelis is an ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist, with a B.S. in Exercise Science from BYU. Though exercise was her first love in the health world, nutrition has become her passion. She created the blog Wholefoodfor7, sharing easy and budget-friendly Whole30, Paleo, and gluten-free + dairy-free recipes for families. In August 2022, Autumn released the newest Whole30 Endorsed cookbook, Whole Food for Your Family. She is mom to 5 boys (yes 5!) and when not in the kitchen can be found adventuring, hiking, and tearing up the dance floor.