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Nuts and Twigs » Recipes » Vegan Main Courses

Vegan Jackfruit Nachos

Published: Jan 2, 2024 · Modified: Feb 8, 2025 by Regi Pearce · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

Vegan Jackfruit Nachos are a mouthwatering twist on the classic favorite, offering a meaty, savory experience that's entirely plant-based. With jackfruit, smoky spices, and layers of creamy plant-based cheese, these vegan nachos are a crowd-pleaser that'll satisfy everyone's cravings.

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vegan jackfruit nachos in a baking sheet

Whether you're planning a game day feast, a taco Tuesday dinner, an appetizer for parties, or a hearty dish for a get-together with friends, these versatile nachos have you covered.

They are even great for leftovers for a savory lunch. It is much like Easy Vegan Nachos but with the added jackfruit for a meatier texture and delicious visual appeal.

Plus, I have delicious options to suit all preferences. Instead of using the easy vegan cashew queso suggested in the recipe, try a nut-free cheese sauce for those with dietary restrictions. This easy and delicious recipe delivers cheers from everyone who tries it.

Jump to:
  • What Is Jackfruit?
  • But Does Jackfruit Really Taste Like Pulled Pork or Chicken?
  • Ingredients
  • How To Make Jackfruit Nachos
  • Top Tips
  • Other Topping Suggestions
  • Jackfruit Nachos FAQS
  • More Delicious Vegan Mexican Recipes
  • Jackfruit Nachos
  • Comments

What Is Jackfruit?

shredding jackfruit in a clear container

Jackfruit is a tropical fruit known for its meaty texture. It's used in nachos as a meat substitute due to its ability to mimic pulled pork or chicken. See the picture above? Visually, it's pretty similar, right?

But Does Jackfruit Really Taste Like Pulled Pork or Chicken?

I go into more detail about jackfruit in A Simple Guide to Jackfruit, but in a nutshell, here is my quick answer:

Unripe jackfruit, when cooked and seasoned, has a meat-mimicking look and texture, resembling shredded chicken or pork, but it has a distinct, somewhat neutral, slightly fruity taste, making it an interesting meat alternative. So, while it's not an exact meat replica, it's really good at taking on the flavors of spices and sauces and a good look-a-like. Let me know what you think in the comments.

While jackfruit's meaty texture shines in vegan nachos as a meat substitute, it's also versatile enough to explore in other delicious recipes.

If you enjoy the flavors of these nachos with jackfruit, you might want to give Vegan Jackfruit Quesadillas, Vegan Tunacado Sandwich, or Vegan Chicken Noodle Soup a try.

vegan jackfruit nachos

Ingredients

Take a look at the pictures for the ingredients. The list of quantities is on the recipe card below.

ingredients in bowl for making the jackfruit.

Ingredients for the jackfruit filling.

ingredients for vegan jackfruit nachos in bowls.

Ingredients for the jackfruit nachos, including the filling already prepared.

  • I use my hands to shred the canned jackfruit because it's the most straightforward method. It only takes me between 5-10 minutes. If there are any pieces that are difficult to shred, I finely chop them with a knife. It's important to note that everything in the can, including the seeds, is edible and can be either shredded or chopped, so there's no need to discard any part.
  • I like to use fire-roasted tomatoes for the flavor and puree them to make tomato sauce. You can leave them diced or use regular tomato sauce.
  • Substitute the Mexican oregano with regular oregano or omit.
  • Use pinto beans, kidney beans, or chili beans as an alternative to black beans.
  • If you need a cheese sauce with no nuts, substitute the vegan cashew queso with Best Nut-Free Vegan Cheese Sauce. For a seasonal variety, try Vegan Butternut Nacho Cheese Sauce.

How To Make Jackfruit Nachos

Here is the recipe in action. For more detailed information on the recipe, see the recipe card.

Step 1: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté chopped onion until translucent (about 5 minutes).

Step 2: Add minced garlic and the spices. Saute for about one minute.

Step 3: Add the diced bell pepper and jalapeño pepper. Cook until peppers soften (about 4-5 minutes).

Step 4: Then add drained and rinsed beans along with the shredded jackfruit to the skillet. Also, add diced tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes.

Step 5: Make the easy vegan cashew queso in the blender or food processor.

Step 6: Spread tortilla chips in a large oven-safe dish, large cast iron skillet, or baking sheet, and spread jackfruit filling evenly over chips.

Step 7: Top with vegan queso and any additional toppings you may want to heat up. Bake nachos in the oven for 5-10 minutes until the cheese is warm.

Step 8: Serve hot and garnish with olives, shredded lettuce, diced jalapeños, guacamole, salsa, and vegan sour cream.

Top Tips

  • Use canned young green jackfruit in brine, not in syrup. This type of jackfruit has a meaty texture that works best for savory dishes like nachos.
  • Drain and rinse the jackfruit well to remove the brine, which can be pretty salty.
  • Keep an eye on the nachos while they're in the oven. Be ready to pull them out when the cheese is heated up so it does not dry up.
  • For variation and easier cooking, you can season the jackfruit with a packet of homemade taco seasoning. (Follow the instructions on the taco seasoning packet in case you need to add water)
plate of jackfruit nachos.

Other Topping Suggestions

When you add fresh toppings, you're taking these nachos from "yum" to a whole new level of "mouthwateringly yummy." So don't hold back on those toppings!

  • sliced avocado
  • finely diced red onions
  • cherry tomatoes or diced tomatoes
  • corn kernels
  • vegan avocado crema
  • sliced scallions (aka green onions)
  • pineapple chunks
  • mango habanero salsa
  • mango cucumber salsa
  • pickled red onions
  • shredded red cabbage
  • chopped spinach or arugula
  • lime wedges/juice
vegan jackfruit nachos in a baking dish

Jackfruit Nachos FAQS

Where can I buy canned young green jackfruit for nachos?

Canned young green jackfruit is typically available at well-stocked grocery stores like Whole Foods or Trader Joe's. You may find it in the international or canned goods section of other big chain stores. If that fails, try Asian, specialty food stores, or reliable old Amazon.

How do I store and reheat jackfruit nachos?

While it's best to store the ingredients separately, storing jackfruit nachos is as simple as transferring them to an airtight container. Refrigerate, and they'll stay fresh for 2-3 days. When reheating, you can use the oven or air-fryer for crispiness (350°F for 10-15 mins, covered in foil) or the microwave for speed (short intervals on a microwave-safe plate). Even though the chips soften as it sits, it's still delicious.

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Got a minute? I'd love for you to dive into the comments and rate Vegan Jackfruit Nachos. Your feedback is invaluable—did you love it? Did you make any fun twists? Let me know how my directions worked for you so I can keep improving my recipes. Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for inspiration.

vegan jackfruit nachos on a plate

Jackfruit Nachos

Regi Pearce
Vegan Jackfruit Nachos deliver a plant-based, savory delight with the incredible texture of jackfruit, smoky spices, delicious vegan cheese, and fresh toppings, making them a guaranteed crowd-pleasing twist on the classic favorite.
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
Total Time 35 minutes mins
Course appetizer, main course
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 8 servings
Calories 145 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 14 ounce cans young green jackfruit in brine drained and rinsed
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 bell pepper any color, diced
  • 1 jalapeño pepper seeded and minced, adjust for spiciness
  • 1 15 ounce can fire-roasted diced tomatoes pureed (substitute with tomato sauce)
  • 1 15 ounce can black beans drained and rinsed (substitute with 2 cups of any cooked bean)
  • 1 tablespoon Mexican oregano substitute with regular oregano or omit
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ - 1 teaspoon chili powder adjust for desired spice level
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • salt and pepper to taste

For the Nachos:

  • tortilla chips as much as you want on your baking dish
  • 1 batch easy vegan cashew queso
  • shredded lettuce
  • pickled jalapeño slices I use canned
  • chopped fresh cilantro for garnish
  • guacamole salsa, and vegan sour cream for serving
Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the Jackfruit: Drain and wash the canned jackfruit. Then, use a fork or your hands to shred the jackfruit into smaller pieces, resembling pulled pork. This allows it to absorb flavors and spices better.
  • Saute: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 4-5 minutes until it becomes translucent. Add the minced garlic, oregan, cumin, chili powder, paprika, and saute for 1-2 minutes.
  • Cook Vegetables: Add the diced bell pepper and jalapeño pepper. Cook for another 4-5 minutes until the peppers soften.
  • Add Jackfruit and Beans: Add the jackfruit and beans to the skillet. Incorporate into the rest of the mixture for about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the diced tomatoes or pureed tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Mix everything well. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the jackfruit to absorb the flavors and become tender.
  • Prepare the Queso: Blend all the ingredients for the vegan cashew queso in the blender.
  • Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Arrange a layer of tortilla chips on a large oven-safe serving dish, cast iron skillet, or a baking sheet. Spoon the jackfruit filling over the chips evenly. Pour the desired amount of vegan queso over the entire dish. Reserve a little to add more when served, if desired. Place the nachos in the oven and bake for 5-10 minutes or until the cheese is hot. 
  • Garnish: Remove the nachos from the oven and garnish with the suggested sliced black olives, shredded lettuce, jalapeño, chopped fresh cilantro, guacamole, salsa, and vegan sour cream. See the post for additional ideas.

Video

Notes

Don't skip thoroughly draining and rinsing the jackfruit to remove the brine.
I hand-shred canned jackfruit, which takes 5-10 minutes. A few pieces may be tough so I chopped those finely. Remember, everything in the can is edible, including the seeds, so nothing goes to waste. Buying pre-shredded jackfruit at Whole Foods is pricier for less quantity.I use fire-roasted diced tomatoes and puree them because one of my kids is still in an anti-tomato-chunks phase in her food.
I like to use fire-roasted tomatoes for the flavor and puree them to make tomato sauce. You can leave them diced or use regular tomato sauce.
I like these jackfruit nachos spicy, so ½ - 1 teaspoon of chili powder may be a bit much for some people. Reduce to ¼ teaspoon if you are sensitive to spicy things. You can also omit the seeds when chopping the jalapeños to reduce the spiciness.
Substitute the spices with a packet of taco seasoning for an even quicker meal. Follow the taco seasoning packet instructions if you need to add water.
Nutritional profile is only an estimate. It does not include toppings like vegan sour cream, guacamole, or salsa.

Nutrition

Calories: 145kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 0.3g | Sodium: 91mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 2g | Calcium: 64mg | Iron: 1mg
Keywords casserole, easy, game day, quick, Super Bowl
Tried this recipe?Please consider Leaving a Review!

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About Regi Pearce

Hello! I am Regi, the creator of Nuts & Twigs. I debunk the myths that vegan food is all nuts and twigs and offer plant-based scrumptiousness that goes far beyond that "rabbit food" stereotype. So grab your fork and put on your stretchy pants, 'cause you're gonna want seconds.

Reader Interactions

Comments

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Brenda says

    February 24, 2024 at 2:41 pm

    5 stars
    Soooo dang good!!!!

    Reply
    • Regi Pearce says

      February 24, 2024 at 6:58 pm

      I'm over the moon to hear you thought the jackfruit nachos were so good—thanks for making my day!

      Reply
  2. Rob says

    January 02, 2024 at 7:55 pm

    5 stars
    These are game-time crowd-pleaser - fantastic - 5 stars!

    Reply
    • Regi Pearce says

      January 02, 2024 at 8:01 pm

      Thank you for the glowing review! I'm thrilled to hear that the vegan jackfruit nachos were a hit and earned a fantastic 5-star rating. They're indeed a game-time crowd pleaser, and I hope they continue to be a favorite snack for your gatherings.

      Reply

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Regina Pearce

I'm Regi.

Head nut, chief twig, and creator of Nuts & Twigs. My husband Rob and I live in Colorado. Here, you can expect delicious vegan recipes that make you realize that a life without cheese is not only possible but still worth living.

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plate of jackfruit nachos.
vegan jackfruit nachos ingredients in bowls

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