Easy Jackfruit Pulled "Pork" Carnitas Bowl

Though I am definitely not a vegetarian, I do appreciate taking the occasional break from meat. I think it’s important not to over do any one item—moderation is my spice of life. I recently discovered jack fruit—a sugarless wonder “fruit” that resembles pulled pork when cooked and shredded. It also absorbs flavors and sauces beautifully. For this recipe, I wanted to create a healthy take on enchilada sauce. My rule of thumb: make your own sauce. Again, pre-made cooking sauces are almost always a source of high amounts of sugar, sodium, carbs, unhealthy fats, etc. Making your own sauce is easy and painless I swear. You just have to have some key ingredients on hand and it’s done in a flash.

For this Jack Fruit “Pulled Pork” Carnitas recipe, I literally dumped everything into our slow cooker for four hours. I served this over some Spanish cauliflower rice (recipe also below) and it was to die for.

Pulled Pork Carnitas and Enchilada Sauce

2 cans of jack fruit in brine (there should be no sugar or syrup content in the soaking water. I get mine from Trader Joe’s)

1-2 bell peppers chopped in fajita strips

Half a white onion chopped in fajita strips

2 cloves garlic (optional)

1 can diced tomatoes

1 small can of diced green chilies

1 small can of olives

1 tbsp sour cream (to top on each bowl)

3 tbsp chili powder

A few dashed of hot sauce (depending on your spice level. Trader Joe’s has a great healthy option that is basically just tomato paste, jalapenos, and vinegar)

1 tbsp garlic powder

1 tbsp cumin

2 tbsp tomato paste

Cracked himalayan salt and pepper

Spanish Cauliflower Rice

1 bag riced cauliflower

extra large handful cilantro

1-2 limes squeezed

Himalayan salt

Sprinkle of chili powder

2 tbsp of olive oil

Dash of hot sauce

Sauce the onions, peppers, garlic, until tender (around 5 minutes). Combine the onions, peppers, and all other ingredients into a slow cooker. Mix until sauce is evenly distributed. Cook on high for four hours. Pull jack fruit apart with two forks before serving. Combine ingredients for rice and serve carnitas on top with an optional scoop of sour cream (yum).

Let me know if you make this!

XAshley