Jackfruit Enchiladas Verdes Recipe | Vegan & GF - Simply Quinoa (2024)

These amazing jackfruit enchiladas are totally vegan and topped with a homemade green enchilada sauce. They're so easy, so flavorful and absolutely scrumptious!

Jackfruit Enchiladas Verdes Recipe | Vegan & GF - Simply Quinoa (1)

this recipe

One of the things I was surprised about on our recent trip to Mexico City was that finding vegan wasn't as easy as I expected it to be. Mexican cuisine for me is often a default because of the corn and beans aspect. What I didn't think about so much? The cheese.

Surprisingly (at least to me), there was a lot of cheese on the menus. Like A LOT.

So when I got home, I decided I needed to start sharing some healthy Mexican-inspired recipes that were also vegan. Cheese-free and delicious! The first one I tacked was Enchiladas Verdes because that was Matt's favorite meal while we're there.

Today I'm giving you my spin with a vegan Enchiladas Verdes recipe that is stuffed with jackfruit and black beans. And we're even making our own simple enchilada sauce from scratch!

Jackfruit Enchiladas Verdes Recipe | Vegan & GF - Simply Quinoa (2)

Simple Homemade Enchilada Verde Sauce

The secret to any good enchilada recipe is definitely the sauce. The sauce is where you're getting a lot of the flavor, which is why I think it's so important to try and make them from scratch when you can!

I might seem intimidating to make this kind of sauce at home, but it's actually super duper simple. My homemade green enchilada sauce takes about 15 minutes and tastes incredible.

The base is a blend of sauteed onions, garlic, tomatillos, and jalapeno. To speed things up, we're using jarred hatch green chiles which have an amazing flavor and cut the cooking time way back. I like this brand from Amazon – they're super flavorful and high quality.

Jackfruit Enchiladas Verdes Recipe | Vegan & GF - Simply Quinoa (3)

The Ultimate Jackfruit Enchilada Filling

The next stop on our enchilada train is the filling. I was contemplating filling these with black beans and sweet potato, but since I was making these with Matt in mind, I had to go a more classic route. Shredded chicken.

Except again, we're making them vegan, so instead of actual chicken, we're using the ultimate shredded chicken alternative: jackfruit!

What is Jackfruit?

Jackfruit is a fruit that grows in Southeast Asia and has a surprisingly similar texture to chicken. It's meaty, it shreds easily and it can be flavored any which way you like. I bought mine in a can, but they're also sold in packages.

To add some depth to our filling, I stirred in some black beans (which also add protein), as well as some jarred salsa and spices. Stirred it all together and I swear it was almost exactly like the classic.

Even Matt – who admittedly does NOT like beans – loved these enchiladas. To me, that's a huge win!

Jackfruit Enchiladas Verdes Recipe | Vegan & GF - Simply Quinoa (4)

How to Make Vegan Enchiladas

When it comes to assembly, the only thing I caution is speed, especially if you're using corn tortillas. Corn tortillas tend to break apart the longer they sit, so the faster you can roll, the more “intact” your enchiladas are going to bake.

However…it's all getting eaten anyway, so if there's some breakage I'm totally fine with that.

To make our enchiladas, you'll start by adding some of the sauce to the bottom of the baking dish. Then fill a tortilla with some filling, roll it up and place it in the dish.

I like to set up a kind of assembly line. I'll have the filling to my left, the tortillas in the middle and the baking pan to the right. Then I just work quickly until I've filled up my dish.

Drizzle on the rest of my sauce, sprinkle with some vegan shredded cheese (which is totally optional) and toss it in the oven.

Jackfruit Enchiladas Verdes Recipe | Vegan & GF - Simply Quinoa (5)

Ultimately, these are incredible and I hope you try them! You could totally throw in some extras into that filling too – I think roasted sweet potatoes, kale/spinach, chopped peppers, etc., would all be fabulous!

If you do end up making them, don't forget to share a photo with me. You can tag @simplyquinoa or use #simplyquinoa on Instagram – seeing your photos lights me up!

Jackfruit Enchiladas Verdes Recipe | Vegan & GF - Simply Quinoa (6)

More Healthy Vegan Mexican Recipes

  • Mexican Quinoa Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
  • Cilantro Lime & Black Bean Quinoa Tacos
  • Mexican Quinoa Stuffed Peppers
  • Mexican Quinoa Breakfast Bowls
  • Clean Eating Refried Bean Dip
  • Sweet Potato Quinoa Nachos

Vegan Jackfruit Enchiladas Verde

4.9 from 16 votes

These amazing jackfruit enchiladas are totally vegan and topped with a homemade enchilada verde sauce. They're so easy, so flavorful and absolutely scrumptious!

author: Alyssa

yield: 8 servings

Jackfruit Enchiladas Verdes Recipe | Vegan & GF - Simply Quinoa (7)

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep: 10 minutes minutes

Cook: 40 minutes minutes

Total: 50 minutes minutes

Ingredients

for the sauce:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 white onion , chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves , chopped
  • 1 jalapeno (option)
  • 1/2 pound tomatillos , husks removed (about 10)
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth

for the filling

for the enchiladas

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375ºF.

  • Heat the oil in a small saucepan. Add the onion and garlic and saute until onion is tender, about 3 minutes. Add the jalapeno, tomatillos, cumin, salt, and pepper and saute for another 2 - 3 minutes.

  • Pour in the broth, bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to simmer. Cook for 10 minutes until the tomatillos are soft. Transfer the mixture to a blender and blend on high until creamy.

  • While the sauce is cooking, prepare the filling. Add the jackfruit, beans, salsa, and spices into a large bowl. Stir together until combined and set aside.

  • When ready to assemble the enchiladas, add 1/4 cup of sauce into the bottom of a baking dish. Spoon about 2 - 3 tablespoons of filling into the center of a tortilla and roll it up. Place the tortilla seam side down in the baking dish. Repeat until you've filled the dish.

  • Once filled, pour on the rest of the sauce and spread evenly across the tortillas. Sprinkle on the cheese.

  • Bake on the center rack for 25 - 30 minutes until the cheese is melted and the filling sounds bubbly. Remove from the oven and allow to sit for 5 minutes. Serve immediately and garnish with your fave toppings (I like avocado & cilantro!).

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1enchilada | Calories: 181kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 470mg | Potassium: 532mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 659IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 71mg | Iron: 3mg

cuisine: Mexican

course: Entree

★★★★★

Did You Make This Recipe?

Be sure to share a comment and rating to let us know!

Jackfruit Enchiladas Verdes Recipe | Vegan & GF - Simply Quinoa (8)

Filed Under:

  • Blender
  • Dairy Free
  • Dinner
  • Gluten-Free
  • Recipes
  • Vegan
  • Vegetarian
Jackfruit Enchiladas Verdes Recipe | Vegan & GF - Simply Quinoa (2024)

FAQs

What are enchiladas verdes made of? ›

What are enchiladas verdes made of? Enchiladas verdes start with a homemade green enchilada sauce made of roasted tomatillos, onions, and serrano chilis. Once cooked, these vegetables are blended with garlic, lime juice, cilantro, chicken stock, and a little sour cream until smooth and creamy.

How long does jackfruit take to cook? ›

Leave to simmer gently, covered, for 30 mins stirring every 5-10 mins to help break down the jackfruit, then take the lid off and cook a further 10 minutes. Once cooked, use a fork to make sure all of the jackfruit is well shredded. Check seasoning and add another tbsp of bbq sauce if necessary for extra stickiness.

Are enchiladas better with red or green sauce? ›

If you are making enchiladas, you may be wondering, “Which sauce should I use?” This is an excellent question, and the most straightforward answer is whatever you prefer. If you are making beef enchiladas, it is more common to pair them with a red sauce, and chicken enchiladas usually have a green sauce.

What's the difference between green enchilada sauce and verde sauce? ›

Green Enchilada Sauce Versus Salsa Verde

There are two main differences between green enchilada sauce and salsa verde. Enchilada sauce is cooked, while salsa verde is raw. Enchilada sauce is thinned out with a liquid (usually stock or water), while salsa verde is simply chopped or puréed vegetables and peppers.

Are enchiladas better with corn or flour? ›

While some recipes use flour tortillas, corn tortillas are traditional — and for good reason — are the better option for enchiladas. Corn tortillas have a distinct flavor that plays a key part of the enchilada experience, compared to flour tortillas, which are more like a blank slate.

Is canned jackfruit healthy? ›

The Bottom Line. Jackfruit is very good for you for many reasons. It is high in nutrients and antioxidants and may have a number of health benefits, including improved blood sugar control. You can easily incorporate jackfruit into your diet by eating it plain or in various dishes.

Is jackfruit good for you? ›

Jackfruit is a good source of vitamin C, potassium, dietary fiber, and other important vitamins and minerals. Also, research suggests that compounds in the flesh, seeds, and other parts of the plant may potentially treat or prevent several health conditions. Jackfruit is a popular meat substitute.

Does jackfruit taste like meat when cooked? ›

What Does Jackfruit Taste Like? Ripe yellow jackfruit has a subtly sweet flavor, often described as a combination of banana, apple, and mango. Young green jackfruit, on the other hand, has a neutral flavor and texture similar to shredded meat, making it a popular meat substitute in savory dishes.

What can I use instead of green enchilada sauce? ›

Salsa Verde is a fantastic replacement for green enchilada sauce. Most salsa Verde is a little simpler than green enchilada sauce, often just a mix of tomatillos and jalapenos without other spices. Enchilada sauce is often a bit more complicated, including onions, garlic, spices, and other additions.

Do enchiladas taste better with corn or flour tortillas? ›

Corn tortillas go well with Mexican dishes like tacos, enchiladas, and tamales. They are also perfect for use in tostadas, sopes, and quesadillas. Flour tortillas are often used in burritos, fajitas, and chimichangas. They are also great for making quesadillas, sweet dishes like dessert tacos, and breakfast burritos.

Should you rinse canned jackfruit? ›

Canned Jackfruit sits in brine so it needs to be rinsed to get the salt off. You will have a stringy part that may have a small seed and a core that's hard to the touch attached.

Do you drain canned jackfruit? ›

Take canned unripe jackfruit in water or brine. Drain the liquid. If you've opted for the version in brine, give the chunks a good rinse under the tap as it can have an unpleasant taste.

How do you know when jackfruit is cooked? ›

Drain jackfruit and rinse thoroughly. Add jackfruit, spices and veggie broth to a heavy-bottom skillet and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until jackfruit has softened and liquid has mostly cooked off.

What is salsa verde made of? ›

Salsa verde is really easy to make from scratch, all you need are tomatillos, onion, jalapeño, lime, and cilantro. To make the salsa verde, you will need to cook the tomatillos, which you can do by either boiling them, broiling them in the oven, or pan roasting them.

What is the difference between Rojo and Verde enchiladas? ›

Red chilies make red enchiladas sweeter and milder than green sauce. However, you can adjust the spiciness. Additionally, you can prepare them with cooked peppers. On the other hand, enchiladas with green sauce are made with raw and fresh green ingredients, such as tomatillos or green chilies.

What do green enchiladas taste like? ›

Most green enchilada sauces use green chilis, which includes jalapenos and serrano, tipping off the spicy scale. As with any color chili, green sauces range from mild to hot. Red enchilada sauce, on the other hand, is typically made from a variety of red chilies, vinegar, onions, garlic and spices.

What is the difference between American enchiladas and Mexican enchiladas? ›

In Mexico, enchiladas are typically made with corn tortillas, while in the US they use a lot of flour ones.

References

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