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!

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 is the difference between salsa verde and green enchilada sauce? ›

The main difference between green enchilada sauce (verde sauce) and salsa verde is that enchilada sauce is cooked, and salsa verde is raw. Enchilada sauce also requires liquid (either stock or water), but salsa verde ingredients are simply blended together and eaten as is.

What is the difference between enchiladas Rojas and Verdes? ›

The main difference is usually this one: Red sauce (salsa roja) is prepared with tomatoes (jitomate or tomate rojo). Green sauce (salsa verde) is prepared with tomatillos (miltomate or tomate verde).

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.

What is a substitute for 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.

Can you use salsa verde instead of green enchilada sauce? ›

You can use store-bought green chile enchilada sauce or salsa verde for this recipe. I like the options from Hatch, Las Palmas, and Frontera. Or, to make it from scratch, try this homemade salsa verde made with tomatillos, green chile peppers, and garlic (it's amazing).

Which is hotter red or green enchilada sauce? ›

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.

Why are they called divorced enchiladas? ›

They are called 'divorced' enchiladas because one is covered in green salsa and the other in red salsa! Subscribe to our free CTP download, to be kept up to date with all cookery items.

What is the most popular type of enchiladas? ›

Chicken enchiladas might just be the most popular type of enchiladas. Even less adventurous eaters usually feel comfortable trying a dish centered around chicken and cheese. Classic chicken enchiladas use shredded or diced pre-cooked chicken as a filling.

Which tortilla is better for enchiladas? ›

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.

How do you keep enchiladas from falling apart? ›

Before frying your tortillas, spread about a cup of sauce lengthwise down the center of your baking sheet. After frying the tortillas, dip each side in your sauce to coat the whole surface. This method will ensure even distribution—and less sauce means your tortillas are less likely to fall apart.

Are enchiladas better with corn or flour? ›

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.

Who invented enchiladas verdes? ›

Origin of the Enchilada

The Mayans were among the first people to make what resembled enchiladas with empty corn tortillas immersed in chili sauce. Later on, when Spanish conquerors reached Mexico, they recorded the dish and added other ingredients to it.

What's the best store bought green enchilada sauce? ›

Las Palmas Green Chile Enchilada Sauce

Las Palmas makes the best green enchilada sauce at the grocery store. It's a little tangy, super savory, and it tastes very fresh, even though it's canned enchilada sauce. If you're a green sauce lover, you will be thrilled with this premade enchilada sauce.

How do you thicken green enchilada sauce? ›

Or alternately, you can thicken the sauce with a cornstarch slurry (equal parts cold water and cornstarch whisked together, then added to the sauce once it has reached a simmer). Storage instructions: Let the sauce cool to room temperature.

How do you make green enchilada sauce less bitter? ›

Before you assemble your enchiladas, heat the sauce up and whisk in a little flour and sugar to taste. The flour will neutralize some of the bitterness and thicken the sauce a bit in the process. This can be a good thing, too, as canned enchilada sauce is usually a little thin in consistency.

Is salsa verde the same as green Mexican sauce? ›

Another key difference is the consistency. Green enchilada sauce is thinner than salsa verde and is cut with stock or water. Salsa verde, on the other hand, skips the liquid and consists only of vegetables and peppers blended together.

What is the difference between salsa and enchilada sauce? ›

Salsa vs Enchilada Sauce

These two sauces might overlap in their ingredients, but the key difference is that enchilada sauce is thin, smooth, and served hot. It's also considered an important part of dishes like enchiladas, while salsa roja is a cold table sauce that can be added to anything.

What does green enchilada sauce taste like? ›

It is believed that green sauce is not very spicy. However, as the tomatillos can be slightly sweet, the green chilies add to the heat. Some green sauce recipes will also have jalapenos and serrano which cranks up the heat. Green sauce ranges from a mild to hot spicy flavor.

Is salsa verde the same as green taco sauce? ›

Green taco sauce is not the same as salsa verde, as it typically also includes green tomatoes in its ingredients. Salsa verde is a great dip for tortilla chips, topping for tacos or burritos, or sauce for roasted pork.

References

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