Shredded Jackfruit Tortilla Soup

Vegans frequently use jackfruit — a mild-tasting fruit from southern India — to replace pulled pork and crab. Here, it replaces the traditional shredded chicken in this deliciously comforting, mildly spicy jackfruit tortilla soup.

Jackfruit Tortilla Soup Ingredients

You likely already have most of these ingredients in your pantry!

Jackfruit: If you’re new to the jackfruit game, there’s one very simple, very important tip I can give you. Look for canned jackfruit that says “in brine” rather than “in syrup.” Brined jackfruit will have a mild taste similar to artichokes or heart of palm. Jackfruit in syrup will be intensely sweet and not suitable for any savory applications.

Vegetables: Growing up, my family always used the classic carrot, onion, and celery trio for the base of this soup. We then added zucchini, yellow squash, and diced tomatoes. You can add whatever’s in season!

Toppings: One of the best things about this soup is the topping options! Consider any of the following when living your best soup life:

• tortilla chips
• cilantro
• avocado slices
• vegan cheese
• vegan sour cream
• sliced radishes
• lime wedges

Spices: I keep this soup pretty mild in terms of spice. Cumin and chili powder add spice without intense heat. If you like things on the spicier side, add a diced jalapeño with the onions or amp up the amount of chili powder used.

How to Make This Jackfruit Tortilla Soup

Prep your ingredients. Chop the onions, celery, carrots, zucchini, and yellow squash. Shred your jackfruit.

Saute your mirepoix. Over medium heat, sweat down your carrots, celery, and onions. Then, add your spices and cook for about a minute to allow the spices to bloom.

Add the rest of the ingredients (minus toppings) and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook on low for 20 minutes to let the flavors meld.

Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot with all the toppings!

Serving Suggestions

Every family has their own version of tortilla soup. Some prefer a tomato-based broth while others prefer a clear stock. Some blend in some tortillas to thicken the soup while others add them at the last minute.

However you choose to interpret this jackfruit tortilla soup, I hope it brings you comfort.

More Tex-Mex inspiration:

• The Best Tofu Migas

Shredded Jackfruit Tortilla Soup

Print Recipe

Flakey jackfruit replaces the traditional shredded chicken in this deliciously comforting, mildly spicy jackfruit tortilla soup.

Course Soup

Cuisine Mexican

Keyword jackfruit tortilla soup

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp vegan butter
• 1 onion diced
• 2 carrots peeled and diced
• 2 stalks celery diced
• 1 tbsp cumin
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 2 quarts vegan chicken stock (or substitute veggie broth)
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 zucchini diced
• 1 yellow squash diced
• 2 cans jackfruit in brine or water drained and shredded
• sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste

Optional toppings:

• tortilla chips
• cilantro
• avocado slices
• vegan cheese
• thinly sliced radishes
• lime wedges

Instructions

• Heat a dutch oven or other heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Melt the vegan butter and saute the onoins, carrots and celery until softened.
• Sprinkle in the cumin, chili powder and oregano and cook for 1–2 more minutes, until the spices become fragrant.
• Add the vegan chicken broth (or vegetable stock), diced tomatoes, yellow squash, zucchini and jackfruit. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 20 minutes for the flavors to meld.
• Taste and adjust seasonings. Serve piping hot with optional toppings if desired.